Job Description

Library Safety Manager
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

“Follow your
calling, Find your career”

Please apply by 8/17/26

Salary Range $67,095.00 - $100,642.00

This is an exempt (salaried)
position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and
internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the
applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate
and requirements for the job.

Charlotte
Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries,
serving one of the country’s great emerging metropolitan areas in North
Carolina. Our library system serves a community of approximately one million
citizens in the city of Charlotte and the towns of Matthews, Pineville, Mint
Hill, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville – all located in Mecklenburg
County. Accessible and welcoming to all, our library celebrates the joy of
reading, fosters learning and growth, connects people to each other and the
world, and inspires individuals with what they can achieve. Through our 20
locations, online, and through targeted outreach, we deliver exceptional
library services and programs with a mission to create a community of readers
and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of
ideas.

Location:
510 Stitt
Road, Charlotte, NC 28213

The Library Safety Manager leads the strategic development and implementation
of life safety policies and procedures across all 21 of our Charlotte
Mecklenburg Library’s public service locations, as well as at our Library
Administration Center and for our employees working in the community. Officed
at Main Library and serving as our primary liaison with the Mecklenburg County
Security Division, this position bridges library-specific safety priorities
with broader county facility protocols — ensuring that every branch, every
staff member, and every customer can count on a secure and compliant
environment.

This is a
proactive, people-centered leadership role. The ideal candidate brings both the
operational rigor to build and sustain robust safety programs and the
interpersonal skills to foster a culture of preparedness and confidence across
a diverse, community-facing organization.

Essential Functions:
Safety Program
Leadership
Develop, implement, and continuously improve life safety policies and procedures system-wide across all 21 public service locations, back- office locations, and for individuals working in outreach or community settings.
Serve as the primary liaison between the library system and the Mecklenburg County Security Division, ensuring library-specific needs are reflected in county facility protocols.
Conduct regular audits of library-specific safety policies to ensure alignment with county and legal standards...
Manage vendor relationships related to security systems, safety equipment, and contracted security personnel as applicable.
Contribute to budget evaluation and planning related to safety equipment, training programs, and facility improvements.

Emergency Preparedness & Response
Plan and
coordinate emergency preparedness drills—including fire, evacuation,
shelter-in-place, and active threat scenarios—across all library
locations.
Lead
post-incident reviews and translate findings into actionable improvements
to policies, procedures, and physical environments.
Serve as the
primary point of contact during emergency or critical incidents; act as a
liaison between library locations and local law enforcement or emergency
services as needed.
Use data and
incident patterns to drive continuous improvements in safety operations
and staff preparedness.

Facility Safety
Conduct routine facility safety assessments and walkthroughs across all locations; identify and communicate hazardous conditions to facilities and management teams.
Coordinate with facilities staff to address physical safety needs including signage, building and landscaping needs, first aid supplies, and building access controls.
Track and document safety-related work orders, corrective actions, and compliance timelines.
Serve as a key stakeholder in new library planning and branch renovations, advising on safety infrastructure, access control, and emergency egress.

Training &
Staff Development
Design and deliver engaging safety training for all library staff, including onboarding modules, annual refreshers, and scenario-based exercises.
Build a culture of safety awareness and proactive reporting across all locations and staff levels.

Reporting &
Compliance
Prepare and maintain incident and accident reports, exclusion logs, and safety inspection records; provide regular safety updates to library leadership.
Ensure compliance with safety regulations applicable to all public service locations.
Comply and coordinate with law enforcement agencies and library outside counsel requesting records from library systems.

Leadership &
Collaboration
Serve on library-wide committees that review and develop safety and operational policies and procedures.
Represent the Library at professional meetings and county-level safety planning sessions.
Actively collaborate with staff and leadership to identify safety needs and cultivate solutions that improve the experience for both staff and customers.
Promote and model a welcoming, people-centered approach to safety that balances security authority with the library’s commitment to open and inclusive public spaces.
Clearly communicate, direct, and reinforce safety initiatives, policies, and procedures across all staff levels and locations.
Promote and model high-quality customer service, resolving safety-related conflicts with library users, the general public, and staff with professionalism and care.
Keep current with developments in public safety, emergency management, and library-specific safety best practices.

Perform additional
duties as assigned, including participation with system-wide teams and special
projects.

Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in safety management, security administration, emergency preparedness, or a closely related field, preferably in a public-sector or high-volume public-facing environment.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes

Licenses and
Certifications:
Valid driver’s license required.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working
in a public library, municipal government, or similar community-serving
organization.
Familiarity with
trauma-informed, person-centered approaches to safety and de-escalation.
Demonstrated
ability to coach and develop staff in safety practices, emergency preparedness,
and incident response.
Experience with
incident tracking software and security camera systems.
Demonstrated
high-energy, highly interpersonal leadership style with a bias for face-to-face
engagement with staff across all locations.
Demonstrated
ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment when making quick decisions
in emergency situations.
Demonstrated use
of data and incident patterns to drive continuous improvements in safety
operations and staff preparedness.
Demonstrated
ability to optimize processes and identify inefficiencies, utilizing tools and
abilities to grow capacity at access points.
Demonstrated
efforts in promoting and advocating for inclusive, welcoming public spaces that
balance safety with accessibility and openness.
Proficiency in a
second language.

Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of
Current trends and developments in public safety, emergency
management, and library security best practices.
Working knowledge
of security systems, access control technology, and incident tracking
platforms.
Knowledge of OSHA
standards, local building codes, and county safety regulations applicable to
public facilities.
Knowledge of
emergency response planning, including fire, evacuation, shelter-in-place, and
active threat protocols.
Ability to manage
sensitive situations and respond to critical incidents with composure and
professionalism.
Ability to lead
staff in adhering to safety standards and cultivating a proactive culture of
preparedness.
Knowledge of
data-driven decision-making, particularly in support of safety program
evaluation and continuous improvement.

Skills
Excellent verbal
and written communications skills, including the ability to adjust
communication style to interact effectively with staff, customers, and county
partners of varying backgrounds.
Excellent
interpersonal skills with a warm, community-focused approach to public safety
Excellent
organizational skills with the ability to manage safety programs across 21
locations simultaneously
Excellent time
management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a dynamic
environment
Commitment to
continuous improvement and staying current with evolving safety standards and
practices

Abilities
Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between a variety of focus areas , teams, departments, community groups or organizations to help achieve business goals
Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequence
Information Monitoring: Setting up ongoing procedures to collect and review information needed to manage an organization or ongoing activities within it
Technical/professional Knowledge and Skills: Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise
Work Standards: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence in safety and service

Computer Skills:
Excellent command of various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite
Advanced proficiency in various computer applications

Work Environment:
Officed at Library
Administration Center (Main Library after opening) with frequent travel to all
21 public service locations across Mecklenburg County. Works primarily in a
library environment; may occasionally respond to incidents in outdoor or
community settings. Exposure to situations requiring de-escalation or emergency
response.

Selection:
This classification has been identified as having a role in the development
of ADA compliant technologies and for which the incumbent agrees to
follow County policies to the best of their abilities in order to meet
these obligations.

Reasonable
Accommodations Statement:
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform,
with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function
satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable
qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer
Statement:
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related
responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions.
Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s
request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job
description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in
emergency and/or disaster situations.