Fire & Life Safety Technician

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Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) provides the focus for the administration of all safety programs to Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, and Duke University Health System. OESO has the responsibility for developing institutional safety plans and policies; providing information and training to meet all regulatory requirements; providing technical consultation and guidance; conducting exposure and risk assessments; conducting safety audits; monitoring compliance with all safety policies; and investigating accidents, injuries, and reported unsafe conditions.

Specific to the Fire & Life Safety Division:

The Fire & Life Safety Division is charged with the responsibility to design, implement, and manage a vigilant fire safety program. The Fire & Life Safety Division conducts periodic assessments for compliance with the Life Safety Code and is highly effective at identifying, and minimizing the risk of fire in all Duke Health System, University, and Medical Center properties.

General Description of the Job Class:

Responsible for routine recognition, evaluation and control of safety and health hazards in the workplace. Also, support these functions by performing routine tasks associated with calibration and inspection of necessary equipment. At times, will work with Duke University departments to minimize occupational health and safety risks and manage compliance with applicable regulations.

Primary Purpose of Position:

This position has the responsibility to provide technical support for the OESO Fire & Life Safety programs to include inspections, training, monitoring, database management and crowd manager duties at special events.

Description of Responsibilities and Duties

Duties and Responsibilities of Level 1:

1. Perform duties in support of safety and health programs in accordance with appropriate federal, state, local and accreditation regulations. Duties may include:

• Order and maintain inventory items.
• Compile monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual automatic fire protection sprinkler workflow for contractor testing.
• Participate in compiling, verifying and correlating data related to automatic fire protection inspection and test reports. Distribute inspection and test results to administrators.
• Perform fire alarm tests on sprinkler control, supervisory, and trouble devices/circuits to assess proper labeling/identification.
• Monitor fire alarm inputs from devices and interpret signal to determine correct response/alert level.
• Provide on-site liaison service to sprinkler contractors.
• Participate in safety training.
• Assist in performing safety surveys/facility inspections and audits.

1. Respond to fire alarm activations, and other emergency situations.
2. Perform duties in support of fire prevention:

• Act as liaison with City of Durham Fire Prevention Bureau during local fire protection system testing and inspections.
• Participate in the inspection, maintenance and testing of fire detection/suppression systems. This task includes but is not limited to, making system adjustments, calibration work, replacing parts, and cleaning system components.
• Perform fire watch duties as part of an interim life safety measure.
• Assist with conducting fire drills.

1. Document all work using the data collection method provided.

Duties and Responsibilities of Level 2:

In addition to the duties and responsibilities of Level 1, Level 2 will perform the following:

1. Perform duties in support of safety and health programs in accordance with appropriate federal, state, local and accreditation regulations. Duties may include:

• Ensure that inventory is completed according to schedule.
• Conduct training.
• Perform independent safety surveys/audits of low risk areas.
• Make recommendations related to surveys to safety specialist.

1. Monitor and supervise the activities of contract personnel, students and safety technicians performing duties related to fire prevention

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Level 1

1. Basic knowledge of safety and health principles.

2. Basic math skills.

3. Functional oral and written communication skills.

4. Ability to utilize computer technology to prepare reports, access data and maintain records.

5. Basic understanding of fire alarm and water based fire protection systems.

6. Basic knowledge of NC Fire Code.

7. Basic knowledge of NFPA 13, 20, 25 & 72.

Level 2 - In addition to Level 1 knowledge, skills and abilities:

1. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulation relating to safety.
2. Creative problem solving skills to recognize and analyze needs and propose solutions to effectively address them.
3. Ability to plan and coordinate multiple diverse tasks simultaneously.

Education

Work requires communicative, cognitive and analytical skills normally acquired through a high school diploma.

Experience

No experience beyond high school completion is required for Level 1.

AA/AS and two years safety related experience required for Level 2.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

Must have a valid driver's license

Must have completed or be able to complete: first responder-operations level training (29 CFR 1910.120).