Fire Safety Systems Specialist

• Locations 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, US

The Fire Safety Specialist provides fire and life safety technical expertise in support of the University’s Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Fire Safety Program. This position serves as a subject matter expert on uniform fire codes, fire alarm and suppression systems, and life safety features. The role leads fire code enforcement, building inspections, fire drills, special event oversight, hazard evaluations, and fire safety training, while also providing technical support for fire and life safety system maintenance and testing.

Essential Functions (Major Duties & Responsibilities)

Fire Drill & Emergency Evacuation Programs

• Supervises fire drills and evacuation programs for assigned academic buildings and residence halls.
• Coordinates with building supervisors and emergency personnel to ensure safe and efficient building evacuations.

Special Events & Large Assembly Inspections

• Conducts inspections for special events, large assemblies, and temporary installations such as tents, stages, pyrotechnics, and electrical setups.
• Ensures compliance with life safety requirements including means of egress, occupancy loads, and crowd management.

Training & Fire Safety Education

• Provides fire safety training for faculty, staff, and students, including fire extinguisher usage, evacuation procedures, and fire safety awareness.
• Supports campus fire safety outreach initiatives.

Emergency Response Support

• Responds as needed to fire and hazardous materials incidents.
• Assists in responding fire departments by providing facility information, pre-planning support, and system knowledge during emergency situations.

Hazard Identification & Abatement

• Evaluates hazardous conditions in buildings, labs, and operations.
• Recommends and implements corrective actions to eliminate or reduce fire and life safety hazards.

Support for EH&S Programs

• Assist other EH&S programs when needed, contributing to department-wide safety initiatives.

Fire Code Enforcement & Inspections

• Assist and conduct fire code compliance inspections as needed, walk-throughs, and re-inspections for university buildings.
• Consults with departments on corrective actions and timelines to resolve identified fire code violations.
• Documents deficiencies and provides expert guidance to ensure compliance with university, state, and national fire codes.

Supporting Duties (Fire Safety Systems Support)

Fire & Life Safety System Assistance

• Supports the inspection, testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance of fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke evacuation systems, fire/smoke dampers, fire doors, emergency lighting, exit signage, and extinguisher programs.
• Provides field support for vendors performing inspection, testing, and maintenance activities.
• Enables/disables fire alarm systems to support maintenance, testing, and construction activities.

Technical Troubleshooting

• Performs advanced diagnostics using blueprints, wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals to identify system failures and assist in resolution.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensures adherence to NFPA standards, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and university policies.
• Maintains accurate inspection reports, service records, and equipment inventories within the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).

Team & Operational Support

• Provides guidance, mentorship, and technical directions to fire safety technicians or student employees assigned.
• Participate in on-call rotation and emergency response assignments including hurricane preparedness and fire watch coverage.
• Maintains work spaces, vehicles, and tools to ensure operational readiness.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in fire alarm, sprinkler, or life safety systems inspection, maintenance, or repair.
• Degree Equivalency Clause:
• Two (2) years of direct experience for an associate degree.
• Four (4) years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Related work experience may not substitute for required licensure, certification, or registration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Fire Science,…