Fire Marshal

Welcome to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) !

This highly responsible position manages the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency & Safety Services, Office of the Fire Marshal. Responsibilities include the management and supervision of all assigned Fire Prevention operations and staff including plan review; construction and existing building inspections; supporting hazardous materials compliance; fire investigations; public information, outreach, and education; and policy and code development. Represents the Division Director and Department of Public Safety to the public and maintains an active role in outside activities to include meetings with the public, other public safety departments or other jurisdictions. This position reports to and serves at the pleasure of the Director of the Division of Emergency & Safety Services. This is an upper-management position responsible for a major department staff function on a 40-hour work week.  

The Fire Marshal is responsible for the management of the UCCS Fire & Life Safety Program and is the internal expert and resource on issues pertaining to fire & life safety and pertinent regulations. The Fire Marshal directs fire prevention and life safety code compliance on campus. The Fire Marshal coordinates compliance for all Federal, State, and local requirements and provides technical expertise on fire & life safety issues to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries and property losses to the university, its employees, and visitors. Major functions include design and plan review, conducting technical inspections, and holding consultations with fire authorities, contractors, designers, and architects executing projects on campus. The Fire Marshal prepares detailed documentation of fire and life safety issues and provides direct oversight of the fire extinguisher, elevator, and bystander AED programs. The position is a health and safety related position requiring travel to and from various construction and renovation sites across campus using a university vehicle. This position assists the facilities department with plans review, inspections, compliance with applicable life safety codes, regulations, and technical assistance for all adopted codes and standards.

Who We Are:

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system and is home to over 9,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students. We have a strong focus in fueling student success by creating, using, and maintaining a multitude of different offices and programs. Overall, UCCS is constantly focused of preparing our students to have success in the future, and we understand that every single employee on our campus has a significant effect on that focus. Find more information about working at UCCS here: https://hr.uccs.edu/work-at-uccs .

The city, which was recently ranked as the number nine Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report in 2023, known as Olympic City USA, rests at the base of Pikes Peak, the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful” and a must-see for residents and visitors alike. With a mild climate and 247 days of sunshine each year, the Springs boasts some of the state’s best recreation opportunities. Find out more about living in Colorado Springs through the Visit Colorado Springs page: https://www.visitcos.com/ .

Job Duties:

• Leads and manages the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Fire & Life Safety Program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
• Responsible for campus fire prevention programs while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local fire codes.
• Maintains knowledge of existing fire protection systems, facilities, and active projects.
• Review’s and approves life safety permitting requirements for planned events, constructed sets for scheduled theatre performances and theatrical haze or pyrotechnics permits.
• Review’s and approves life safety requirements for all indoor, outdoor, and temporary events held on campus or contracted buildings to include temporary structures off-site.
• Notifies managers, contractors, users and departments of non-compliance and violations. Presents well-conceived, cost effective and practical approaches in a timely manner for achieving compliance.
• Functions as a representative for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with various external entities including the Colorado Springs Fire Department regarding fire prevention/protection measures, life safety and other general industry safety concerns.
• Supervises fire system inspections to include alarms, sprinklers, kitchen hood suppression, clean agent systems, hydrants, and extinguishers.
• Participates in construction and renovation project meetings offering expert counsel pertaining to Fire & Life Safety code and standard requirements and processes.  Monitors fire and life safety requirements during construction and renovation projects.
• Reviews and approves requests for fire alarm/sprinkler outages and hot work permits for ongoing construction/maintenance projects.
• Conducts technical fire & life safety inspections and audits of existing structures and occupancies and functions as a resource for the campus community. Prepares concise and comprehensive reports detailing deficiencies. Provides guidance and cost-effective strategies to improve system performance.
• Create, assist & deliver emergency preparedness and response training to the campus community.
• Oversees and performs fire & life safety training to ensure staff meet certification and educational needs.
• Develops and revises Fire and Life Safety policy and procedures to ensure the University of Colorado Colorado Springs environments remain safe for occupants and visitors.
• Completes the Annual Fire and Life Safety reports for the Department of Public Safety.
• The Fire Marshal is the primary contact for non-emergency fire protection system trouble alarms resolution.
• The position monitors and troubleshoots activations to campus fire alarm systems.
• Fire Marshal responds to campus after hours when fire protection systems require immediate interventions or repairs.
• Researching law and code in order to produce technical reports; providing fire and life safety education to the public and conducting professional presentations.
• Oversees and assists on functional program areas such as hazardous materials regulation, unmanned aerial system (UAS) program, or wildland urban interface program as needed.
• Providing emergency services as needed to include serving as the "on-call" Fire Marshal on a rotating basis as needed; Responds to violations of fire prevention and life safety laws and related ordinances, hazardous materials, fires, fire bombings, bombings, attempts or threats to commit such offenses, possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances and fire bombs.
• Works in conjunction with UCCS PD and performs fire investigations to determine origin and cause and ensure that all investigations and reports are completed with high quality and attention to details.
• Conducts Fire & Life Safety Code Enforcement.
• Identifies, investigates, reviews, and recommends corrective, disciplinary actions, and/or fines for safety and code enforcement violations.
• Oversees and assists as an "after incident" contact for fires and other emergencies to provide code enforcement follow-up for prompt response to lessons learned.
• Special Training: Must maintain specialized certification and training as required for this position.
• Supports the Division of Emergency and Safety Services team with initiatives, projects and activities as needed and other duties as assigned.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

What We Offer

Work Location: On-site

This position has been determined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Salary Range: Generally starting at $61,538 - $79,000 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers excellent benefits , some of which include:

• Medical insurance, with the lowest cost option being $0 to the employee
• Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance
• Generous paid vacation and sick time accruals (14.67 hours of vacation and 10 hours of sick accrued per month, prorated if part-time)
• Mandatory retirement plans. Employees contribute 5% of their annual compensation. CU doubles that and contributes 10%
• Tuition Assistant Benefit available to you or a dependent
• Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of employment
• Off Campus Housing Resources

Tentative Search Timeline:

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by March 17, 2024. However, this posting will remain open until filled.
• The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of March 25, 2024. 
• The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of April 1, 2024.
• The potential employee start date is May 1, 2024. 

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check. 

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Please note that while the position details both required qualifications as well as preferred qualifications below, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, have passion for the work, along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education(Substitution for a degree of relevant experience on a year for year basis will be accepted). 
• Minimum of five years’ professional experience working as a Fire Marshal or Fire Inspector.
• A valid Colorado State Driver’s License.
• International Code Council and/or Colorado DFPC Fire Inspector II certification.

  Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in fire prevention or community risk reduction, fire investigation, code enforcement, plan review, and public education.
• Supervisory experience.
• ICC Certified Fire Marshal
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Fire & Life Safety Educator II or III.
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Instructor I
• Fire Suppression System Inspector Certification – within one year of hire
• Hood Inspector Certification – within one year of hire
• Master’s degree, with emphasis in Fire Science, Public Administration, or related field preferred.
• A current Fire Investigator certification from the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) or International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

  Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit.  Employee is occasionally required to move. Tasks may involve using a computer screen continuously for long periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.