Access Control & Fire Safety Specialist

Access Control & Fire Safety Specialist

The Department of Housing & Residence Life is accepting applications for its Access Control & Fire Safety Specialist position. The Access Control & Fire Life Safety Specialist is a highly skilled technical professional responsible for the installation, maintenance, repair, inspection, and operational management of all mechanical and electronic locking systems, access control infrastructure, and fire and life safety equipment across residential facilities.

This role is essential to ensuring campus safety, regulatory compliance, secure access control, and life safety readiness within Housing & Residence Life. The Specialist supports institutional compliance with NFPA Life Safety Codes, state and local fire regulations, and industry best practices, ensuring a safe, secure, and code-compliant living environment for students, staff, and visitors.

The Specialist provides comprehensive locksmithing and access control services to maintain secure, reliable, and compliant entry systems.

• Install, maintain, and repair locks, cores, cylinders, door closers, panic hardware, exit devices, hinges, and door hardware assemblies.
• Manage master key systems including keying hierarchies, restricted keyways, and security protocols.
• Perform rekeying, lock changes, and hardware replacements for occupancy transitions, security incidents, and operational needs.
• Maintain accurate key inventory, tracking logs, and documentation systems.
• Administer, program, and troubleshoot electronic access control systems, including card readers, credentials, schedules, and permissions.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement upgrades to locking systems to meet evolving security standards and ADA requirements.
• Conduct door and hardware assessments to ensure proper function, alignment, and compliance with fire-rated door standards.
• Provide technical guidance to staff regarding proper use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of locking systems.

Fire & Life Safety Systems

The Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining fire and life safety readiness across residential facilities.

• Inspect, test, and support maintenance of:
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• Pull stations
• Exit signage and emergency lighting
• Fire alarm panels and notification devices
• Assist with fire alarm testing, annual inspections, and compliance audits.
• Conduct inspections of egress paths, stairwells, fire-rated doors, and emergency exits.
• Ensure compliance with:
• NFPA 101 — Life Safety Code
• NFPA 80 — Fire Doors and Opening Protectives
• NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• Local and state fire codes
• Document deficiencies, generate corrective action reports, and coordinate repairs with Facilities, EHS, and contractors.
• Support fire drill coordination, evacuation readiness, and life safety education efforts.
• Maintain detailed inspection records for regulatory and audit purposes.

Safety & Security Oversight

The Specialist contributes to the overall safety and security of residential communities.

• Conduct routine facility inspections to identify safety hazards, security risks, and compliance issues.
• Investigate lock failures, unauthorized access, tampering, and security incidents.
• Recommend improvements to access control policies, hardware standards, and security infrastructure.
• Support development and implementation of housing safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Provide technical expertise during safety assessments, risk evaluations, and incident reviews.

Work Orders & Maintenance Operations

The Specialist ensures timely and accurate completion of maintenance tasks related to access control and life safety.

• Respond to service requests related to locks, doors, access control, and safety systems.
• Prioritize emergency, high-risk, and time-sensitive issues.
• Maintain accurate records in the work order management system, including labor, materials, and resolution notes.
• Coordinate repairs and inspections with Facilities Management, Environmental Health & Safety, and external vendors.
• Assist with planning and scheduling preventive maintenance cycles for locking and life safety systems.

Key Control & Documentation

The Specialist enforces strict key control and documentation standards to maintain security integrity.

• Enforce key control policies, restricted access protocols, and accountability procedures.
• Maintain logs for:
• Key issuance and returns
• Lock changes and rekeying
• Access permissions and credential management
• Conduct periodic audits of keys, cores, access systems, and storage areas.
• Maintain secure storage of keys, cores, and sensitive hardware.
• Support investigations related to lost keys, unauthorized access, or compromised hardware.

Emergency Response

The Specialist plays a vital role in emergency and after-hours response.

• Respond to lockouts, security breaches, urgent access issues, and malfunctioning life safety equipment.
• Assist during emergencies such as evacuations, fire alarms, and building lockdowns.
• Coordinate with Campus Police, EHS, and…