Safety Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

At Mid-Continent Public Library, we:

Imagine. We inspire innovation through curiosity and exploration.

Try new things. We empower what works and learn from the rest.

Lead the way. We connect people to information, ideas, and inspiration.

Welcome all. We embrace new perspectives and listen with humility.

Everything we do, we do together.

Schedule: This position is a 40 hour per week with pre-scheduled evening throughout the month.

Position Overview:

The Safety Specialist position assists with responding to active incidents in the Mid-Continent Public Library System and working with staff to provide a reasonable response to issues that are being faced within the branches. This position also utilizes expertise to assist staff with creating proactive methods in reducing risk in their buildings. The Safety Specialist will also assist the Associate Safety Director and Safety Director in providing training in areas such as, but not limited to, Situational Awareness, Active Threat, Verbal De-escalation, Incident Reporting/Tracking and CPR/AED education.

Page Break

Essential Functions

• Promotes critical thinking through responding to and assessing incident reports submitted from branches
• Possesses the ability to handle various violations of the MCPL Conduct or Acceptable Use policies
• Works with the Safety Director to provide training for staff in areas where deficiencies are identified and provides supplemental training when necessary
• Understands basic computer functions and training others on how to use MCPL’s report writing software
• Utilizes Close Circuit Television (CCTV) software to process digital footage from multiple security cameras in branches throughout the system
• Maintains and provides security keycards for all new and existing staff as needed

Non-essential Functions:

• Monitors and tracks Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units and ensures monthly compliance
• Orders and replaces AED units as needed
• Attends meetings as assigned by Safety Director of Associate Safety Director
• Maintains and updates the Safety department’s intranet page with applicable information

Education and Experience:

• Associate’s degree in related field- Required
• Bachelor's degree in related field Preferred
• 2 years’ of Safety/Security operations experience Preferred
• Non-violent confrontational training Preferred
• First aid and disaster response training Preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

All successful team members at MCPL should demonstrate:

• Ability to use effective verbal, written, and discreet communication with management, co-workers, and the public.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of department processes and procedures and critical thinking skills to make decisions pertaining to the position.
• Proficiency in providing friendly and solution-oriented customer service attitude and delivery with internal and external customers.
• Fundamental understanding of their own contribution to a welcoming and respectful workplace and library for all.
• Sufficient understanding of the MCPL value of intellectual freedom in order to uphold those values while performing their job duties.

• Strong ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team.
• Reliable, punctual, and flexible with scheduling.
• Good communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing needs.

Additionally, this position requires:

• Job Knowledge
  • Intermediate knowledge of verbal de-escalation techniques and assisting Department management with training and resolving challenging situations with both internal and external stakeholders, in accordance with the established Conduct and Acceptable use policy
  • Basic knowledge of how to conduct basic investigations
  • Intermediate knowledge of applicable Missouri State Statutes that govern libraries and MCPL policies regarding customer privacy and release of information including video recordings
• Technology including specific applications, hardware, and coding languages
  • Ability to learn and use MCPL software (currently Entre) to grant and restrict access to staff/customers when needed
  • Intermediate knowledge of CCTV security camera systems and operations, to include placement of cameras, and providing CCTV data as requested within the provisions outlined by the Revised Statutes of Missouri
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Teams
  • Ability to use a phone system and transfer calls to their proper locations
• Communication (reading, writing, speaking)
  • Intermediate ability to adapt and overcome challenging situations often dictated by stress and other external factors
  • Intermediate written communication and ability to compose a comprehensive narrative for incident reports, while understanding non-biased writing and providing accurate incident information
• Teamwork
  • Possesses the ability to work with varying levels of management within the organization to create a positive and safe work environment, while building trust with internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to follow and take directions from Safety Director and Associate Safety Director
  • Demonstrates basic knowledge and proficiency in problem-solving, collaborating with, and maintaining effective working relationships with departments, branch staff, and others system-wide to generate workable solutions
• Leadership
  • Basic knowledge of leadership and organizational structure
  • Intermediate knowledge of a public library's mission and purpose, assign values to competing priorities, and knowledge of the quality of the work being conducted and created a standard
• Decision Making
  • Ability to make decisions, often difficult, in high-stress situations
  • Ability to remain calm, make decisions that are in the best interest of MCPL and its stakeholders and for the safety and security of the organization, backed by objective facts and policy
• Customer Service
  • Demonstrates exceptional customer service skills through professional and collaborative interactions with customers from a wide variety of backgrounds and needs, provides applicable and available library and community resources
  • Ability to identify present trends in incident reports that could be impactful to the customer and staff
  • Ability to work with the staff to find a positive outcome for a demanding situation
  • Ability to adapt to changing deadlines, workflows, and tasks assigned while maintaining a polite, professional, and collaborative demeanor

Age Requirement:

• Must be at least 18 years of age

MVR Requirement

• Possession of a valid driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle for use in carrying out the duties of this position including transportation of materials and equipment (mileage reimbursed)
• Possesses the ability to drive MCPL vehicle according to company policy

Work Environment

• (Indoor/Outdoor) Works both indoors and outdoors and must have considerable tolerance for weather conditions, dust, mold, scents, allergens, and communicable diseases which enable the employee to work outside at a facility, handle construction and library materials, work in older buildings and on jobsites, and interact with coworkers and the public.
• Use of Special Equipment
• Shared Office Space

Essential physical abilities to be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation are:

Daily (greater than 50% of the time)

• Walking (even ground, variable surfaces)
• Receiving Communication and Instructions (vision, reading, hearing)
• Conveying Communication and Instructions (Speaking, writing)
• Using computer data entry tools - keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, scanner

Frequently (up to 50% of the time)

• Standing (more than 1 hour at a time)
• Lifting 1-10 pounds
• Sitting
• Bending/Stooping/Kneeling
• Reaching above shoulder

Occasionally (approximately 1-2 times per month)

• Lifting 11-40 pounds
• Pushing/Pulling up to 40 pounds
• Climbing stepstools/ladders

Rarely (1-5 times per year)

• Lifting 40+ pounds
• Pushing/Pulling 40+ pounds

This is a Bargaining Unit Position with CWA 6360

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected class in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Any applicant requiring an accommodation should contact the Mid-Continent Public Library Human Resources Department at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com.

Applicants will be considered for employment opportunities on the merits of their skills and experience related to the position sought. Employment offers are conditional upon submitting a criminal records check, identity verification, and national sex offender registry check. Applicants will not be denied employment solely or in part because of a prior conviction, unless MCPL determines the conviction is job-related. If a background check yields information that is of concern to MCPL, the applicant will be provided an individualized assessment. The applicant will be given an opportunity to review the background check findings and present information regarding inaccuracy, mitigating circumstances, and rehabilitation.