Safety & Security Manager

Denver Public Library (DPL) is a vibrant, essential hub for our diverse city. As a growing urban library system with 28 locations and over 4 million annual visitors, we're deeply woven into the fabric of Denver. Join a team where your values align with your work, building a culture guided by values that empower both staff and the public.

About the Library's Values

• Welcoming: We make our resources, services, and expertise accessible for all, recognize the inherent dignity in each person, and provide safe places where everyone can be themselves.
• Curiosity: We foster a culture of exploration, innovation, and forward thinking by creating environments that support learning and growth.
• Connection: We are neighbors. We foster relationships, listen and act to build and strengthen our community. We bring people together to share information, ideas, and experiences.
• Equity: We work to change inequitable practices, structures and policies, and attitudes that drive them, to provide opportunities for every person in our community to thrive. As we do so, we actively examine our roles in perpetuating oppressive systems.
• Stewardship: We are accountable to our community, using our resources responsibly. We lead with honesty and integrity, protect privacy and preserve and share the full history of our Denver community.

About the Division

The Operations Division provides the critical infrastructure and support services that enable Denver Public Library to deliver on its mission effectively and sustainably. The division encompasses:

• Finance: Oversees fiscal stewardship, budgeting, and resource allocation to maximize impact and accountability.
• Information Technology: Drives digital transformation, system reliability, and data security to support innovation and efficiency.
• Safety and Security: Ensures a safe and welcoming environment for staff, customers, and community members through proactive risk management and emergency preparedness.
• Facilities and Planning: Manages the maintenance, development, and long-term sustainability of organizational spaces, ensuring they are functional, accessible, and aligned with future needs.

Together, these sub-divisions form an integrated operational backbone that supports the Denver Public Library’s strategic priorities and day-to-day excellence.

About the Role

Denver Public Library is hiring a Safety & Security Manager to support a safe and secure environment for staff, customers, and the library’s assets. This role is critical in advancing safety, continuity of operations, and emergency preparedness in alignment with the library’s Strategic Roadmap. The role will lead the functional and operational areas for the security and safety of our 28 (and growing) library locations. Key responsibilities include ensuring appropriate resources are available to resolve complex business issues, creating and maintaining best practices for safety and security, and developing processes to meet performance standards. This role acts as an advisor and subject matter expert to Denver Public Library leadership on all safety, security, and emergency management matters.

Responsibilities

• Leads planning and operations of the Security Department to maintain a safe and secure environment for customers and staff and to prevent asset loss.
• Designs and implements a comprehensive safety and security program that safeguards people and stabilizes business operations.
• Provides departmental oversight, including creating and modifying policies and procedures, setting performance standards, budgeting, planning, and goal setting.
• Motivates employees and fosters a work environment conducive to excellent employee morale.
• Enforces all library policies, with a focus on the Library Use Policy, Child Safety Policy, and Computer and Internet Use Policy.
• Negotiates behavioral agreements with customers in violation of the Library Use Policy.
• Creates and maintains strong relationships with multiple City agencies, including Denver Police and Fire, Office of Emergency Management, and Risk Management, as well as with the community and all staff.
• Communicates effectively about issues and initiatives with customers, staff, volunteers, and administration, working closely with the library’s Community Resources and other key Public Services teams.
• Reviews and investigates major security incidents and makes recommendations to prevent, mitigate, or lessen organizational risks.
• Develops and implements emergency preparedness, response, and continuity of operations plans, and conducts drills to prepare library employees.
• Conducts audits, studies, and research projects within the scope of the functional area, prepares comprehensive reports, and recommends feasible solutions.
• Oversees and monitors the safety and security incident reporting system.
• Develops and tracks a dashboard of security and safety-related key performance indicators.
• Maintains and utilizes data in the incident reporting system to make decisions and forecast future security trends by location, including optimizing security personnel.
• Conducts and/or provides support for ongoing safety and security audits, utilizing and generating reports from industry technology platforms.
• Facilitates safety committee meetings with DPL stakeholders.
• Assists with the disaster recovery plan by collaborating with the Director of Facilities and Capital Planning, updating plans, and leading periodic tabletop drills.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in functional or operational management, including management of professional individual contributors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or a related field.
• Knowledge of investigative practices and procedures, security dispatch centers, loss prevention, theft, search, and Worker’s Compensation procedures.
• Knowledge of security and life/safety systems and programming, as well as laws and City ordinances pertaining to theft, disturbances, assault, and vandalism.
• Skill in exercising quick, mature, and informed judgment in reacting effectively to emergency situations, documenting incidents, and maintaining records.
• Training and/or certifications from ASIS, FEMA, Disaster Recovery Institute, or other safety and security organizations.
• Experience working in a public setting such as libraries, parks, or schools.
• Experience with non-violent crisis intervention, public health challenges, and de-escalation practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to Denver Public Library values of equity, welcoming, connection, curiosity, and stewardship.
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) training and/or experience.

Benefits

The City and County of Denver offers generous benefits for full-time employees, including:

• Four (4) Medical Plans, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Pension Plan for Life (employee contributes 8.45%, employer contributes 17.95%) and 457(b) Retirement Plan.
• PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year), quarterly wellness hours, and 12 paid holidays.
• CARE Bank and Family Leave Benefits.
• Enhanced Work/Life Balance: Employee Assistance Program (6 counseling sessions per year, legal assistance, financial counseling, discounted recreation center passes), Employee Volunteer Program.
• Professional Learning and Development Opportunities, including courses, career development resources, and an Education Refund Program.
• EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides).

Pay

Hiring range: $101,050.00 - $133,892.00.

Work Environment & Location

This position is based out of the Central Library in the Civic Center area of downtown Denver. While you may be hired for a specific location, you may be required to work at any of our 28 branches based on operational needs. Parking is not subsidized by DPL. Denver Public Library employees may be redeployed to work in other locations or capacities to support core functions during branch closures or emergencies.