Central Regional Safety Coordinator

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$38.00 - $46.70 Hourly

Department:

Library Department

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

October 08, 2025

The Opportunity:

Each year, Multnomah County Central Library welcomes hundreds of thousands of patrons, creating a dynamic hub of activity. Visitors engage with the Library’s extensive resources, checking out materials, using computers, participating in diverse programs, taking tours, discovering valuable information, and finding a welcoming space to spend their time. As a vital community asset, Central Library offers an accessible and inclusive environment, reflecting our community. This high volume of diverse visitors, each with unique needs and backgrounds, creates a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.

If you’re someone who rises to challenges and enjoys coordinating safe and welcoming spaces in these types of environments, we want to hear from you.

Multnomah County Library is hiring a Central Regional Safety Coordinator to help support safety at our Central Library. This position reports to the Central Library Regional Manager, and also receives direction from Central Library administrators. 

In this position, your primary responsibility will be managing the use of the library’s public space. You will work with Library administrators, represented library staff, and contract security officers to maintain an atmosphere that is safe and welcoming for all. You will lead efforts related to learning and discussions around situational awareness, de-escalation, and emergency response in huddles, staff meetings, and emergency workshops. You will be responsible for developing and coordinating activities for staff that ensure they are adequately trained and equipped to fulfill their roles in creating a welcoming and safe space, providing skills and confidence building opportunities for practice, role play and planning. You will also train colleagues on proper documentation procedures, including daily summaries, reports, and Security Incident Report entries.

You will serve as the subject matter expert charged with supporting established and ongoing safety programs. This includes supporting library staff serving as persons-in-charge (PICs) and other security staff. You will debrief incidents with PICs in the region to ensure the most effective response was initiated and that the PICs are operating as a whole with a consistent approach, regularly reviewing library rules and feedback from the Incident Review team. You will support PICs in their equity and inclusion work, collaborating with them in this area and offering feedback, input and guidance to them and their supervisors about how to mitigate internal bias and minimize microaggressions. You will also act as a subject matter expert for the entire Multnomah County Library system, serving as a rotating member of the Incident Review Team and supporting changes to policies and procedures. 

In addition, you will serve as a PIC at Central Library. You will build relationships with patrons and support them to be successful using and sharing our space by helping them understand library rules and policies and soliciting their cooperation and compliance. You will model equitable and inclusive behavior in this role by understanding the purpose of and being ready to use culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and de-escalation approaches in interactions. You will be ready to lead response or collaborate with others to respond to safety and security related situations such as patron exclusions, physical and verbal threats, disruption, contacting emergency services, or workplace safety hazards; bringing in support from  law enforcement and other first responders as needed. You will coordinate and communicate throughout the day with staff who are monitoring the environment in public areas and collaborate to prevent, mitigate or respond to incidents, and ensure safety.

This position is customer service focused involving frequent high intensity and stressful interactions. As such, it requires someone with the ability to work respectfully and capably with people from all backgrounds and age groups. You must demonstrate a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and a sense of humor while working with customers, co-workers and community. In providing customer service, you will regularly encounter situations that require de-escalation or assistance from a supervisor. Your ability to exercise quick and informed judgment in dealing with potentially disruptive, physically dangerous or abusive customers and emergencies is crucial.
 
Multnomah County Library is committed to supporting our communities of color and other communities subjected to marginalization by centering race and intersectionality in the services we provide. As a member of our team, all staff are expected to act as allies to library staff and patrons from communities of color and other groups subjected to marginalization by:

• Speaking up to support staff and patrons subjected to marginalization
• Speaking out against racism and oppression
• Demonstrating behavior that is culturally aware and sensitive 

Learn more about the library’s services on our website.

To Qualify
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. 

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent practical experience.
• Two or more years of safety and security experience in an environment accessible to the general public.
• Two or more years of customer service experience in a role that involves direct contact with the general public.
• Thorough knowledge of, and demonstrated skill in the effective use of de-escalation techniques. 
• Proven ability and subject matter expertise in coordinating security and emergency responses (evacuation, medical, law enforcement, exclusion, etc.) in a large facility that is open to the public. 
• Demonstrated skill in creating and maintaining a complex staff schedule. 
• Proven ability to effectively develop, implement, and train staff to follow safety, security, and customer service procedures. 
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices related to working with people/populations experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental illness.
• Ability to pass a criminal records check, should a job offer be extended. Results of the records check will be reviewed on an individualized basis. A conviction is not an automatic bar to employment.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Three (3) years of Person in Charge or supervisory experience.
• Experience in a library setting.
• Experience applying a trauma informed approach in strategies that support building safety and trust.
• Knowledge of needs and barriers experienced by communities outside the dominant culture, which may include lived experience.
• Experience applying an equity lens in policy and programming processes, with knowledge and skill in advancing racial justice and understanding how systems of oppression intersect.

Screening and Evaluation 
The Application Packet:

• A completed online application
• Attach a cover letter addressing why you are interested in this position as well as how your experience and skills make you an ideal candidate for this position.

Please apply only once for this position. The hiring list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill similar positions throughout the library system should they become available.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference and criminal records checks

Work Location: This position works onsite at Central Library located at 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205.

Equal Pay Law: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.  

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Anthony Cesario

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

+1 (971) 4166884

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6021 - Program Specialist