Fire Safety Project Manager

This role plays a critical role within the Fire Safety and Construction Department by ensuring a consistently code-compliant environment across all facilities. The Fire & Life Safety Project Manager provides professional expertise to construction teams, internal stakeholders, and external contractors to support the design, installation, maintenance, and repair of fire and life safety systems that protect patients, employees, and visitors at UT MD Anderson, a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The role supports this mission by serving as a subject matter expert and Authority Having Jurisdiction representative, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and contributing to a safe and resilient healthcare environment.

The Fire & Life Safety Project Manager works closely with multidisciplinary teams on complex, high-impact projects where safety, compliance, and operational continuity are essential. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience with fire and life safety systems, including healthcare environments, and demonstrates strong independent judgment, technical expertise, and collaborative skills. This individual is comfortable interpreting complex codes, reviewing construction documents, and managing projects from deficiency identification through resolution, while supporting training, compliance, and regulatory readiness.

Responsibilities

• Project Management and Deficiency Resolution
  • Identify deficiencies during required regulatory inspections and equipment malfunctions or performance issues.
  • Develop scopes of work for repairs and deficiency resolution based on applicable NFPA code requirements.
  • Obtain contractor quotes and assess availability to support timely resolution.
  • Schedule and monitor contracted work to ensure completion and compliance.
• Outage Planning and Construction Coordination
  • Create and submit outage requests aligned with contractor availability while minimizing business interruption.
  • Coordinate fire alarm and fire sprinkler technicians to be onsite during contractor work.
  • Assist with and prepare Pre-Construction Risk Assessments and Interim Life Safety Measure action items.
  • Coordinate outages and construction activities with internal departments and external agencies.
• Inspection, Verification, and Documentation
  • Confirm completion of work with technicians and contractors.
  • Re-inspect completed work and review documentation to close deficiencies.
  • Perform follow-up inspections to verify correct code application and resolution accuracy.
  • Compile and manage documentation for regulatory review by the State Fire Marshal and Joint Commission.
• Training and Program Support
  • Assist in developing technical specifications, schematic designs, and construction documents related to fire and life safety systems.
  • Support and deliver training programs including ILSMs, fire warden training, regulatory fire drills, and Code Red response.
  • Prepare training schedules, handouts, and slide materials and support hands-on equipment training.
  • Coordinate training activities, building tours, and pre-planning with the Houston Fire Department.
• Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
  • Review inspection and testing schedules to ensure completion within regulatory timeframes.
  • Perform QA/QC reviews of inspection reports for regulatory completeness and accuracy.
  • Oversee compliance programs including hot work permitting, policy and procedure review, and fire investigations.
  • Manage regulatory inspection and testing compliance for fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression, and auxiliary systems.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Fire Safety, Architectural Engineering, or related field. May substitute Bachelor's degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one-to-one basis.
• Work Experience: 3 years of project management or construction management experience.
• Licenses and Certifications
  • Required: Valid Texas driver's license (Class A, B, or C) with a good driving record.
  • Preferred (upon hire):
    • Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) – National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
    • Certified Fire Inspector (CFI) – NFPA
    • Certified Fire Plan Examiner (CFPE) – NFPA
    • Licensed Architect (ARCH) – Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE)
    • Professional Engineer (PE) – Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE)
    • NICET Level II in Fire Protection Engineering Technology, Fire Alarm Systems
    • Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS) – Texas State Fire Marshal's Office
    • Fire Alarm Technician (FAL) – Texas State Fire Marshal's Office
    • Sprinkler System General Inspector (RME-I) – Texas State Fire Marshal's Office

Pay

Minimum: $92,500.00 – Midpoint: $115,500.00 – Maximum: $138,500.00

Schedule

Typical work schedule is days, starting between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM. Work location is onsite in Houston, TX, with a flexible remote policy; the position is onsite 80%+ of the time.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.