Fire Alarm Technician

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

As an active and very visible member of the fire alarm shop, this position will be Caltech’s front line for oversight of Caltech’s Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression Systems. Under minimal supervision from the Electric shop supervisor, this position will install, troubleshoot, and test fire alarm systems. Additionally, will be responsible for overseeing and assisting with installations and maintenance procedures performed by others on fire alarm and fire suppression systems.

This is a Campus Critical position. An employee designated as campus critical is expected to be aware of the campus emergency management plan and to report to Campus as soon as possible in the event of an emergency to assist in campus wide response and recovery efforts.

Essential Job Duties

• Responsible for following all safety procedures and maintaining a safe and secure work environment.
• Perform planned and corrective maintenance on fire alarm systems, which includes items such as a campus wide monitoring system, building fire control panels, initiating devices such as smoke detectors, pull stations, and flow switches.
• Support the testing of fire suppression systems including wet systems, pre-action, dry chemical, and halon alternative.
• Maintain accurate and concise records of all fire alarm systems and tests.
• Respond to trouble calls and fire alarms, during regular shift and off-hours.
• Schedule and conduct fire drills and alarm tests.
• Install, program, and test new fire protection equipment.
• Take part in the review and recommendations of designs and specifications for new installations.
• In conjunction with Caltech’s inspector and engineers, review installations by others for compliance to Caltech standards and code compliance.
• Work closely with Caltech Design and Construction Department, project managers, trade shops, Campus Security, contractors and local fire department officials.
• Communicate professionally with all members of the Caltech community in all situations.
• Using Caltech’s maintenance management software (AiM) schedule work, account for time, order supplies and record asset history.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• 5 years of industry field experience at the journeyman level or a combination of 1 year experience installing and maintaining fire alarm systems and a NICET certification.
• Knowledge of Mircom Fire Panel FX2000, EST3, and older FCI 7200.
• Possess and maintain a NICET level 1 certification throughout the course of employment, with the expectation that NICET Level 2 certification would be obtained within 12 Months of start date.
• Thorough knowledge of relevant codes.
• Ability to read and interpret instructions, specification, schematics, and drawings.
• Possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license throughout the course of employment.
• Expertise with all test instruments and tools of the trade.
• Possess and maintain personnel basic hand tools (Caltech would provide specialty tools, power tools and meters).
• Must be able to communicate, both written and verbally, in English.
• Must be in good health with the physical strength and agility to lift up to 50 lbs. on a daily basis, bend in all directions, climb stairs and ladders, squeeze with arms and hands, operate machinery using hands, and work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
• Must be able to respond to campus after normal working hours when needed.
• Familiarity with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of an electrical or fire alarm construction and maintenance course (48 units with a two-year certificate of completion or equivalent).
• Experience with CMMS software.
• NICET Level 3 Certification.
• NFPA 72 Certification.
• NFPA 101 Certification.

Required Documents

• Resume