Human Resources

Job Number:

- J0825-0190
- Posting Date:

- August 28, 2025
- Closing Date:

- September 12, 2025
- Job Title:

- Library Safety Specialist Lead
- Branch/Department:

- Toronto Reference Library
- Division:

- Human Resources
- Employment Type:

- Permanent Full Time
- # of Open Positions:

- 1
- Salary:

- $93,329.60 - $105,469.00/Year

**Specific Position Information**: The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check.

35 hours per week. Evenings, Saturdays and variable hours required.

**This position requires visiting and working from multiple sites across Toronto.**

**Base location: Toronto Reference Library**

**JOB SUMMARY**:
This position requires responsiveness and flexibility in adapting approaches to meet diverse stakeholder needs. Carrying out the duties of the position will require movement between locations in order to provide on-site service, supervision and support as needed.

**DUTIES**
Under the general direction of the Senior Manager, Welcoming Spaces, and/or designated manager, this position is responsible to:
**Leadership Functions**:

- Serve as team lead for Library Safety Specialists, providing on-site supervision, coaching, and support for the Library Safety Specialist team and supporting other library staff in implementing trauma-informed approaches to foster safe and welcoming spaces.
- Direct the work of the LSSs including setting performance expectations, prioritizing, scheduling and assigning work, training and onboarding staff, and providing verbal input to performance appraisals.
- Ensure that staff are informed of plans, projects and procedures and ensure that staff input and concerns are communicated effectively.
- Support the development and implementation of post-incident protocols that include a continuum of support practices for library staff, including debriefing, trauma-informed staff support measures, and follow-up care strategies. Facilitate post-incident support sessions for LSSs and other library staff.
- Coordinate, develop, and deliver training and onboarding activities for Library Safety Specialists and other TPL staff regarding trauma-informed approaches, mental health first aid, de-escalation, opioid response, and other related learning opportunities.
- Role model and facilitate interaction and relationship-building with Library Safety Specialists, other library staff, customers, guards, local community agencies, social service providers and police.
- Work under management direction to implement and evaluate staff safety and well-being initiatives across designated locations, including data-informed recommendations for LSS deployment.

**Service Functions**:

- Foster collaborative working relationships with other TPL divisions and departments and facilitate knowledge sharing to enhance team effectiveness and professional development.
- Lead efforts to prevent, mitigate and respond to incidents through appropriate means consistent with TPL policies and protocols, such as de-escalation, verbal communications, escorting customers from Library facility, and/or contacting police, social service providers, and/or other emergency services as needed.
- Work with the Library Safety Specialists, Senior Manager, Welcoming Spaces, and other internal stakeholders to identify, communicate and share best practices across the TPL system.
- Refer customers to other library staff and sources of information in response to customer service requests.
- Circulate among public service areas inside and outside around the library, providing guidance to LSSs, other library staff and guards in monitoring areas to uphold library rules of conduct.
- Support the exclusion process under the direction of the Director, Branch Operations and Customer Experience. Prepare and deliver exclusion letters, in conjunction with security guards.
- Support staff in ensuring incidents are documented in the Incident Reporting Management System (IRMS) on a timely basis. Monitor IRMS, identify incident trends, and bring forward appropriate interventions to management.
- Liaise with the Manager, Public Safety regarding support for training and onboarding of security guards.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Post-secondary diploma or degree in the field of social services, or another professional discipline pertinent to the job function
- Seven (7) years’ related experience working in social services, community mental health, and/or crisis intervention, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of leadership responsibility
- Proven ability to lead and supervise staff
- Direct experience in developing and facilitating learning experiences
- Demonstrated ability to form and maintain strong collaborative relationships between internal and external stakeholders
- Strong organizational, time management, prioritization, and planning skills
- Experience with marginalized communities, including individuals with living