Job Information
City of Duluth Library Safety Specialist in Duluth, Minnesota
The Duluth Public Library is looking for a part-time (18.75 hours/week) Library Safety Specialist to help make the Main Library a welcoming and safe space for everyone in the community. The current opening will include some work in the early evenings and Saturdays. The person hired for this position will work closely with the other members of the Library Safety Team. If you enjoy meeting people, helping them understand how to be successful at using the library, and connecting them with resources when needed, please read on. The ideal candidate will have a background in social services, street outreach, related human services, security or law enforcement. The majority of a Library Safety Specialist s day is spent walking throughout the building, greeting people, and developing relationships with regular library patrons. If people are in need of social services, the Library Safety Specialist will contact someone who can connect them with what they need. In the event a library patron becomes agitated or disruptive, the Library Safety Specialist will help de-escalate the situation and call the police if needed. This position also helps train library staff in de-escalation techniques and supports them as needed during difficult interactions. The Library Safety Specialist will enforce the library s behavior policy by educating patrons about the expectations, and following up with kindness and firmness. Summary/Purpose To provide a safe and welcoming environment for all people using the Duluth Public Library by greeting patrons, explaining rules and procedures to library patrons, monitoring the library for appropriate patron behavior, de-escalating situations as needed. Supervision Received For both one-of-a-kind and repetitive tasks, the supervisor makes specific assignments that are accompanied by clear, detailed, and specific instructions. Incumbents work as instructed and consult with the supervisor. Supervision Given Does not supervise. Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned) 1. Circulate continuously among public service areas of the library and outside around the library in all types of weather, monitoring areas to uphold library's policies and procedures. 2. Greet patrons, direct them and answer questions as necessary, and respond to staff calls for assistance. Enforce library behavior policy and support other library staff in their enforcement of the policy. 3. Develop rapport with library patrons in order to create a welcoming environment. 4. Interact respectfully and calmly with the public at all times, even in stressful encounters. 5. Defuse tense situations and report suspicious behavior to supervisors. 6. Complete reports and communicate with library supervisors and staff regarding incidents, bans, and trespasses. Stay up-to-date on current library bans/trespasses. Identify any banned/trespassed individuals coming into the building, and alert a supervisor or the police. 7. Assist patrons and staff in emergency situations relating to security and safety. 8. Participate in staff committees and task forces as assigned. 9. Assist with staff training. 10. Provide access to public meeting rooms and study rooms, as needed. 11. Serve as an effective team member by exhibiting self-motivation, supporting other employees in handling tasks, interacting effectively and respectfully with others, showing a desire to contribute to the team effort, accepting assignments willingly, and completing tasks within agreed upon timelines. 12. Other duties may be assigned.