Fire Safety Specialist

Fire Safety Specialist

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Facilities Fire Safety Specialist under the Direction of the Director of Fire Safety Operations has the responsibility to provide Fire Safety Coverage for the Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus. This position will be required to work a variety of shifts including evenings, overnights, weekends and holidays.

Physical work is a primary part of the job in order to provide Fire Safety coverage across campus. The successful candidate must be familiar with building fire protection and suppression systems as well as basic building utility systems including Vertical Transportation, HVAC and Emergency Power Systems. The work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require knowledge of basic safety precautions.

Responsibilities

• Responds to all fire alarm activations as part of a Fire Response Team with Public Safety and Facilities staff.
• Primary position will be to operate the lobby Fire Alarm Panel, make necessary announcements and as the Fire Safety Incident Commander coordinate evacuation if required with Public Safety and Facilities staff.
• Liaison with incoming Fire Department Units and operate under the direction of the Officer in Charge of the FDNY response.
• In the absence of the Director of Fire Safety Operations, will perform initial assessment of any fire scene, document the event and communicate to the Director of Fire Safety Operations as conditions warrant.
• Responds to all other emergencies and safety related issues with Public Safety and Facilities staff that could impact the operation of CUIMC including Gas leaks, Water leaks, odor complaints, etc. If warranted, ensure Public Safety activates Facilities RAVE alert for notification to Facilities Management. Act as Facilities Incident Commander with Public Safety until relieved by a responder from the Facilities Management Team.
• Independently perform required Fire Safety inspections as directed.
• Performs routine and ongoing technical duties related to required Fire Safety maintenance at the direction of Director of Fire Safety Operations and/or Facilities Compliance.
• Escort Fire Department Inspectors on campus and will distribute, re-inspect and follow up on any violations.
• Perform data entry and have ability to create associated reports.
• Ability to independently give Fire Safety training including the conducting of Building Fire Drills.
• Interact with New York City, State and Federal authorities when necessary.
• Acquire working knowledge of applicable NYC building Codes, Fire Codes and Laws.
• The ability to establish/maintain relationships with diverse constituencies within an academic community.
• Must be able to work overtime and double shifts based on the needs of the University.
• Position is classified under University essential personnel and must be available to provide support on campus during emergency response situations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Director of Fire Safety Operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• H.S. graduate or equivalent plus 2-5 years' experience responding to fire alarms in a business, industrial or academic campus. College, Technical school or a Fire Alarm Technician may be substituted for experience.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills are required.
• Must be able to demonstrate a high level of ethics and maintain a professional work appearance.
• Computer literacy required with demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Must have ability to obtain varied FDNY Certificates of Fitness based on the changing needs of the University to include the A-35, C-92, F-01, F-03, F-04, F-60, F-89, P-98, S-12, S-13, S-95, T-89, W-07, etc.
• Ability and maturity to carry out assigned tasks with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

To those with experience in Firefighting, maintenance of Fire Alarm systems or other prior Fire Safety position.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.