FIRE & LIFE SAFETY SPECIALIST

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) supports and advances the teaching, learning, and research activities of the University of Washington by providing and coordinating programs and services that foster a safe and healthy campus community. We are currently seeking a knowledgeable and experienced individual to support the UW’s Building and Fire Safety (BFS) Group as a part of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Section for the UW EH&S Department.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Fire & Life Safety Specialist.

Reporting to the Building & Fire Safety Manager, OSH, this position is responsible for supporting the implementation of environmental health and safety programs addressing fire and life safety risks at the University of Washington. The Fire & Life Safety Specialist will work with senior staff members and support the development, implementation and sustainment of building fire and life safety programs.

The successful candidate will become familiar with the mission, vision, strategic objectives, policies and procedures developed and executed by the EH&S department. EH&S interacts regularly with the University’s organizational units (academic, operational, administrative, clinical and research), as well as external regulatory entities (e.g., Local fire departments, WA Department of Health, Department of Ecology, National Institutes of Health, WA Dept. of Labor and Industries, etc.). The ideal candidate must be organized and able to quickly learn the organizational structures, communication dynamics, and service requirements impacting our Department, partner entities and populations served.

This position provides support for the development and implementation of environmental health and safety programs addressing building fire and life safety risks at the University of Washington. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the on-going implementation and sustainment of the safety and health programs focused on protecting personnel from physical hazards and exposures related to fire and life safety programs.  This position ensures that EH&S initiatives are aligned with those articulated by the University of Washington Central Administration.

Duties & Responsibilities

40% Fire Prevention

• Support implementation and sustainment of the UW fire prevention programs
• Identify workplace fire and life safety hazards and understand control strategies to manage risks.
• Conduct fire and life safety surveys and provide necessary documentation to program lead.
• Provide background information and data for technical meetings; represent assigned area and/or specialty in meetings and interact with internal and external customers.
• Assist senior staff members in incident investigations and utilize incident database to retrieve data, analyze data and determine trends.
• Support senior staff in identifying initiatives and operational activities to ensure University compliance with current and changing standards of fire and life safety regulations.
• Comply with regulations and University and departmental policies and procedures regarding health and safety.
• Must observe and support good health and safety practices.

40% Fire Evacuation and Emergency Response

• Lead and assist departments and campus partners to plan and prepare for various types of building emergencies.
• Lead and assist in the development and posting of evacuation route signs, emergency procedures signs and similar signage in campus buildings.
• Assist with safety evaluation for major campus public events to ensure Seattle Fire Department permit conditions are met.
• Assist with promotional events that may involve other departments such as UW Emergency Management, University Police, Safe Campus and other partners.
• Provide classroom and practical (hands-on) fire and life safety training to UW staff, faculty and students, as needed. This includes preparation and maintenance of fire extinguishers for the hands-on training.
• Maintain external relationships, as necessary, with Seattle Fire Department fire marshal’s office and engine company personnel.
• Plan and facilitate routine building evacuation drills for campus buildings, including resident halls, working closely with campus partners.

20% Departmental Activities and Special Projects

• Incorporate strategic planning initiatives from the EH&S Strategic plan into the routine work plan.
• Participate in departmental, University, and state advisory and/or technical committees and organizational health and safety committees, as assigned.
• Support data gathering for metrics and performance monitoring of programs to ensure organizational efficiencies and desired outcomes are met and program goals are reached.
• Collaborate with other EH&S technical groups as part of the larger integrated EH&S program.
• Attend EH&S departmental and team meetings, work on special projects, other duties/projects as assigned.
• Contribute to an atmosphere of mutual support and back-up.

Requirements include:

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental health and safety, biological or physical science, engineering, education, or public health field. Work experience in an environmental health and safety field may substitute, year for year, for required education
• Minimum two to three years of related work experience

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

• Understanding of building fire and life safety principles and applications including but not limited to the following programs; Experience with architecture, building codes, and building mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems and equipment, working in a University, educational institution or similar setting, and performing fire inspections of commercial buildings.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, consensus standards, and current technology concerning health and safety issues, and ability to interpret and apply them.
• Experience and/or demonstrated knowledge of use of fire and life safety equipment.
• Ability to research information on emerging EH&S related issues/trends
• Experience in an academic institution highly desired.

Certifications and Licenses:

• IFSAC (International Fire Service Accreditation Congress) Fire Public Educator certification, or
• IFSAC (International Fire Service Accreditation Congress) or ICC (International Code Council) Fire Inspector I certification, are desired, but not required.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, sit, and perform desk based computer tasks.
• May require moving/lifting < 50 lbs.
• Occasionally use a telephone, write by hand.
• Frequently travel throughout the campus and UW locations to conduct onsite observations of building conditions and conduct evacuation drills.  Must have valid driver's license.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.