Job Summary/Basic Function:

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), the Assistant Director of EHS and Fire Life Safety is responsible for assisting and supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of campus-wide EHS programs, with the primary responsibility of planning, administration, and management of fire and life safety services for Teachers College. This is to be achieved by applying best practices to provide for the safety of all students, faculty, and staff, the protection of assets, and the College’s compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws/regulations regarding EHS and fire and life safety. This position provides strategic management and leadership in the areas of EHS, fire safety, and fire systems under the supervision of the Director of Environmental Health & Safety. In a manner that enhances the quality of campus safety and the mission of Teachers College, the Assistant Director of EHS and Fire Life Safety will work in partnership with the Office of Public Safety to coordinate resources in support of community safety. Upon hiring, the Assistant Director of EHS and Fire Life Safety shall be adequately trained in the areas of Environmental Health & Safety and Fire Life Safety, as applicable specifically to Teachers College. The selected candidate will have on-call responsibilities. Weekend and off-hours work is required.


CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

FIRE LIFE & SAFTEY:

• Plan, organize, and manage fire protection and life safety activities.
• Conduct building inspections to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local codes, as well as College policy.
• Initiate necessary actions for violation remediation.
• Develop and implement fire protection programs and procedures to ensure employee, student, and faculty safety within the Teachers College environs.
• Review building construction design for fire and life safety compliance.
• Conduct fire protection oversight and audit programs.
• Maintain property damage reports resulting from fire.
• Prepare, coordinate, and maintain all fire inspection and fire system service reports.
• Develop and implement fire prevention training activities, including but not limited to: fire prevention, use of portable fire extinguishing equipment, and evacuation.
• Act as a liaison with the NYC Fire Department, and other emergency agencies. Communicate with community and civic organizations, to promote fire safety.
• Ensure that all fire and life safety systems and equipment are in place at all TC Properties. Fire safety code typically requires fire protection systems such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, or other fire suppressant systems. Make sure these systems are properly installed, suitable for identified fire hazards, and fully functional. This may include planning, coordinating, and conducting fire drills to gauge system readiness. Ensure that records of all drills are kept accordingly for each TC building and are readily available upon request.
• Conduct periodic fire safety inspections - Two per month. These inspections cover the evaluation of fire hazards and address property safeguards. Also responsible for making sure any deficiencies identified are promptly corrected via work orders and/or communications to affected parties. Ensures all FDNY requirements and recordkeeping for TC buildings (academic and residential) are maintained and available upon request. During inspections identify all record-keeping deficiencies and communicate them to responsible parties.
• Participate as a member of the EHS team, providing all other departmental staff members with cooperation and support to further the departmental mission.
• Coordinate and accompany regulatory inspections pertaining to fire and life safety systems including FDNY building inspections. Work with local fire departments to ensure that all violations are cured in a timely manner. Maintain and track all Notice of Violations (NOV), Violation Orders (VO), Notice of Hearing (NOH), etc. Coordinate, compile, write, edit, and facilitate submission of documents for approval, such as plans, schedules, goals, etc.
• Independently write correspondence, memoranda, transmittals, reports, and other materials relating to emergency operations, facilities planning, physical security and construction/renovation projects, safety, etc.
• Assume, in conjunction with other offices, the responsibility to coordinate, schedule, facilitate, and monitor the bidding of projects related to areas of responsibility.
• Resolve, coordinate, or facilitate the resolution of routine complaints relating to areas of responsibility.
• Remain accessible and able to respond appropriately, in person or otherwise, to urgent or emergency situations that arise on weekends and evenings.
• Coordinate, schedule, and attend meetings and facilitate follow-up. Serve as liaison with external agencies and internal offices.
• Develop/build relationships with members of the offices of Facilities, and Public Safety, to ensure that the physical environment is maintained at optimum levels.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, and files related to assigned activities and personnel, and review paperwork including crime and accident reports, proposals, and other documents to assure fire and life safety compliance.
• Serve on assigned departmental and College task forces and committees.
• Prepare, coordinate, and manage plans for the prevention, mitigation, and recovery from fire and life safety incidents.
• Procure, coordinate, and maintain fire and life safety equipment and supplies in support of fire and life safety systems management.
• Provide education and training for fire and life safety operations including the College community’s response to incidents of fire.
• Conducts fire drills and exercises as mandated by codes.
• Evaluates technical and complex information pertaining to the potential effects of fire and life safety emergencies.
• Represent the Director and College at local and regional meetings.
• Research and evaluate grant programs and funding sources for related fire and life safety assistance programs.
• Conduct and participate in the development of fire prevention and fire and life safety-related community education programs.
• Obtain the Life Safety (FLS) Director (F-89) certificate of fitness required within the first year.
• As necessary, provide support in the area of general workplace safety and assist the Assistant EHS Director and the EHS team at large.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY:

• Assist in the development and implementation of the College’s EHS programs and procedures to ensure the health and safety of faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
• Conduct inspections and maintain systems, coordinate related testing and repairs as needed, and retain all associated records and reports.
• Provide regulatory enforcement for the following: OSHA, EPA, NYS DEC, NYC Department of Buildings, and Health Codes.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of EHS plans policies and procedures. Implement connected programs and present information to the College community.
• Assist faculty and staff with various safety and environmental inspections/audits to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and college guidelines.
• Coordinate hazardous chemical/waste removal from various departments; track/monitor storage, and disposal and perform routine inspections.
• Assist the Director of Environmental Health and Safety in the development, implementation, and delivery of various safety training programs for faculty, staff, and students (e.g. Lab Safety, BBP, PPE, CS, Lockout/Tagout, Hazcom, etc.) and may conduct training.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five or more years of direct experience in fire safety and fire systems (detection and suppression including NYC Class “E” fire systems in J-1 residential buildings).
• Experience in fire-fighting, safety, and prevention.
• General knowledge and experience in Environmental Health and Safety (OSHA, EPA, etc.).
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Possession of a NYC Fire Safety Director certificate of fitness or the ability to obtain this credential within 12 months of being hired.
• Ability to evaluate work priorities and maintain a flexible schedule.
• Ability to analyze operational and procedural problems and develop effectively. solutions; work with a high level of accuracy and great attention to detail
• Experience managing vendors, consultants, and contract service partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in a related field.
• Advanced knowledge of NYC building codes, OSHA, NYC EPA, NYC DOH, NFPA, and NYC fire regulations.
• Proven experience managing and providing training in a variety of formats and environments.
• Proven knowledge of all federal, state, and local laws/regulations pertaining to fire/life safety in assembly, high rise, high hazard, residential, and business occupancies, especially as they relate to university settings.
• Fire Protection Specialist certification through NFPA.
• Special Qualification: Evidence of a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students, and to staff and students with disabilities.

Salary Range:

$80000.00 - $90000.00

Work Modality:

Onsite