Fire Safety Specialist

Regular, full-time position (35 hours per week).

About the Role

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Facilities Fire Safety Specialist, under the direction of the Director of Fire Safety Operations, provides fire safety coverage for the CUIMC campus. This role requires working a variety of shifts, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. Physical work is a primary part of the job, involving exposure to hazards or physical risks that require knowledge of basic safety precautions.

Responsibilities

• Respond to all fire alarm activations as part of a Fire Response Team with Public Safety and Facilities staff.
• Operate the lobby Fire Alarm Panel, make necessary announcements, and coordinate evacuation as the Fire Safety Incident Commander with Public Safety and Facilities staff.
• Liaise with incoming Fire Department Units and operate under the direction of the FDNY Officer in Charge.
• In the absence of the Director of Fire Safety Operations, perform initial assessment of any fire scene, document the event, and communicate with the Director as conditions warrant.
• Respond to other emergencies and safety-related issues (e.g., gas leaks, water leaks, odor complaints) that could impact CUIMC operations. Act as Facilities Incident Commander with Public Safety until relieved by a responder from the Facilities Management Team.
• Ensure Public Safety activates Facilities RAVE alert for notification to Facilities Management when warranted.
• Independently perform required Fire Safety inspections as directed.
• Perform routine and ongoing technical duties related to Fire Safety maintenance at the direction of the Director of Fire Safety Operations and/or Facilities Compliance.
• Escort Fire Department Inspectors on campus, distribute, re-inspect, and follow up on any violations.
• Perform data entry and create associated reports.
• Independently conduct Fire Safety training, including building fire drills.
• Interact with New York City, State, and Federal authorities as necessary.
• Acquire working knowledge of applicable NYC Building Codes, Fire Codes, and Laws.
• Establish and maintain relationships with diverse constituencies within an academic community.
• Work overtime and double shifts based on University needs.
• Serve as essential personnel and must be available to provide on-campus support during emergency response situations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Fire Safety Operations.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent, plus 2–5 years’ experience responding to fire alarms in a business, industrial, or academic campus. College, technical school, or Fire Alarm Technician experience may substitute for work experience.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• High level of ethics and professional work appearance.
• Computer literacy with demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to obtain varied FDNY Certificates of Fitness, including but not limited to A-35, C-92, F-01, F-03, F-04, F-60, F-89, P-98, S-12, S-13, S-95, T-89, and W-07.
• Ability and maturity to carry out assigned tasks with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in firefighting, maintenance of fire alarm systems, or other prior fire safety positions.

Schedule

Standard work schedule: Monday–Friday evening shift (4:00 PM–12:00 AM). Required to work a variety of shifts, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Pay

Salary range: $73,869. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on factors including departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.