City of Seattle, WA

Position Description

Invitation to Compete #31-24: Security Officer 

Security Services, Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle

Regular, FLSA non-exempt, full time position (80 hours per pay period) 

$34.45 - $41.78 per hour

Hours will include weekdays, weekends and evenings. This classification is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME. A pay period is two weeks in length.

This recruitment is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library’s employees. Please read the How to Apply section of this bulletin for more information and submit your application, cover letter and resume in NEOGOV. Application materials received by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday November 9, 2024 will receive first consideration.

Overview

The Seattle Public Library’s mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive. Since 1891, we have grown from a single reading room in Pioneer Square to a world-class library system with 27 locations.

The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.

If you share these values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for the Security Officer position.

The Library’s Security Officers are first and foremost customer service specialists who handle very complex customer service interactions. Security Officers assist patrons and staff by communicating the Library’s policies and procedures, including facility usage and the Rules of Conduct. Their most important tools are interpersonal communication, de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.

Security Officers must be able to provide a welcoming and safe environment for patrons and staff while also responding to conflicts, infractions and emergencies. They must also have excellent judgment in knowing when and how to apply Library policies to individual situations.

Security Officers are required to regularly work with building security systems. They must be able to collaborate with managers and staff in order to appreciate the unique challenges, distinctive user groups and security needs of each Library location.

Successful candidates will have previous security experience with the public in an urban environment, possess excellent communication and de-escalation skills, and demonstrate a passion for customer service.

Job Responsibilities

Customer service and security patrol: Greet and interact with patrons and visitors as they enter the Library’s buildings. Respond to questions regarding use of building facilities. Evaluate issues related to the security of Library staff, volunteers, patrons and property, and take appropriate preventative and protective actions. Communicate with individuals about the Library’s Rules of Conduct, policies and procedures, and influence their cooperation and compliance. Investigate and respond to security concerns and, as needed, obtain police and law enforcement assistance. Support exclusion policies. Provide crowd control duties for special events.

Emergency management: Respond to medical emergencies. Take a lead role in responding to building emergencies and evacuations.

Prevention activities: Identify and report security and/or safety conditions and concerns. Identify and recommend procedures and methods to prevent property loss and damage. Work with Library staff to identify and resolve security issues. Regularly inform the Security and Safety Services Supervisor of activities and/or issues.

Liaison activities: When assigned, serve as a liaison between Library staff, law enforcement agencies and personnel, contracted security personnel and the public.

Security support activities: Obtain, record, and maintain necessary documentation, records and reports. Operate security and property-related programs, such as lost and found materials, building access control, and surveillance activities. Provide training for staff as requested.

Qualifications

Work experience:

• Experience providing complex customer service support to the general public, specifically experience providing customer service with attention to supporting social justice and equity. Ability to develop trust and foster on-going positive customer service relationships with Library patrons and staff. Ability to be coached, mentored and/or trained.
• At least one year of security experience or experience performing similar duties in settings that require highly visible and sensitive public contact; require exercising conflict resolution and problem-solving skills; and require the ability to respond appropriately to critical incidents in an occupational setting. Experience operating in a security capacity in an employer-operated security department is preferred, but not required.

Education and communication skills:

• Education: A high school diploma or a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) is required.
• Verbal skills: Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills are required. Candidates must be able to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, as well as comprehend spoken and written English. The ability to speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Amharic, Oromo, and/or Tigrinya is helpful.
• Conflict resolution skills: Familiarity with de-escalation techniques for challenging behaviors and demonstrated experience using those skills. Ability to communicate clearly, equitably and diplomatically with Library staff and the public while enforcing security rules, often under stressful situations. Ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate solutions without resorting to force or provoking unneeded conflict. Ability to persuade or influence cooperation and compliance. 

Occupation-specific skill requirements:

• Knowledge of accepted practices relating to security operations in an employer-operated security department, particularly practices that pertain to public facilities.
• Excellent observational skills, including an ability to remain alert and attentive, anticipate potential disruptive behavior and safety or security threats, and take preventative action.
• Ability to prepare clear, detailed and accurately written reports, logs and other documentation of incidents.
• Ability to operate a two-way radio, communications and surveillance equipment.
• Possession of a valid CPR and First Aid certification card, or ability to obtain certification within sixty days of employment.
• Ability to perform the physical activities inherent in security patrol duties, such as walking, running, standing, rapidly ascending and descending stairs, and lifting an adult in emergency situations for the duration of a typical shift. 

Other requirements:

• Possession of a valid Washington state driver’s license. Library vehicles are available for Security use. If an officer is required to use a personal vehicle for work-related activities, mileage reimbursement is provided.
• If selected, candidates will be required to provide a driver’s record abstract and to authorize a criminal background check. Any offer of employment or continuation of employment is contingent on the results of these checks. A record of conviction will not automatically bar employment but the circumstances may be considered in determining if employment will be offered or continued.
• Available to work evenings and weekends as required. Must have a work history of reliably reporting for assigned shifts and being consistently punctual.
• This position requires the employee to wear the supplied uniform and related security gear including, non-lethal defensive equipment and a two-way radio.

Additional Information

How to Apply

In an effort to provide balanced support to all patrons, visitors and staff, candidates who identify as female or non-binary are encouraged to apply. Please submit the following items to be considered for this position. First consideration will be applied to applications received by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday November 9th, 2024. Your application will not be considered if these items are missing or incomplete.

1. Online application with responses to the supplemental questions.
2. A cover letter that describes how your experience and skills align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications. Please let us know why you are interested in this position.
3. Current resume that summarizes relevant education, professional experience, training and skills.

Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and complete online application will not be considered.

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The employment history detailed in your application materials MUST validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.

Benefits and Salary Information:

The full salary range for this position is $34.45 - $41.78 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Information about retirement plans can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement 

Additional Information

If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to job.applications@spl.org. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.

Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: 

"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

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