Fire and Life Safety Program Manager - Suffolk University

Under the direction of Suffolk University’s Director of Environmental Health and Safety, the Fire and Life Safety Program Manager will oversee the inspection and maintenance of building life safety equipment, ensure that business critical occupancy permits and inspections are kept up to date, and strive to continuously improve the Fire and Life Safety Program on campus. Candidates interested in this position should have extensive expertise serving as a subject matter expert utilizing the NFPA 101 “Life Safety Code”, the Massachusetts State Fire Code, the Boston Fire Prevention Code and other applicable NFPA standards. This position provides technical expertise and guidance to both in-house personnel and contractors on fire prevention and life safety issues to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries and property losses to the university, its students, employees and visitors.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Functions as a representative for Suffolk University with various external entities including the Boston’s Inspectional Services Department and the Boston Fire Department regarding fire prevention/protection measures, life safety and other general industry safety concerns.
• Fulfill the responsibilities as the University’s Impairment Coordinator in accordance NFPA 1 “Fire Code”. In the event that the sprinkler or fire alarm system must be taken out of service, the impairment coordinator is responsible reviewing/approving requests for fire alarm/sprinkler outages for ongoing construction/maintenance projects, implementing mitigating measures to reduce the risk to life safety, provide notification to the local fire department, and ensuring that all impaired equipment is restored to normal working order.
• Ensure that all construction related permits are filed in a timely manner with the Boston Fire Department including but not limited to Hot Work Permits, Smoke Detector Bagging Permits, NFPA 241 Affidavits, Temporary Dumpster Placements, Food Trucks, Portable Generators, and Tents.
• Serve as a qualified fire door inspector and conduct/coordinate annual fire door inspections in accordance with NFPA 80 “Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives”.
• Serve as the Fire Prevention Program Manager (FPPM) in accordance with NFPA 241 “Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alternation, and Demolition Operations”. The FPPM shall participate in construction and renovation project meetings, conduct daily inspections to identify deficiencies and hazards, ensure fire prevention awareness and education is provided to personnel associated with that project, and oversee all hot work operations.
• Coordinate and schedule quarterly and annual theater, dormitory, laboratory, and assembly area inspections with the Boston Fire Department and ensure all hazardous material and building occupancy licenses, permits, registrations remain up to date.
• Coordinate with department lab managers and supervisors to ensure that the quantities of hazardous materials are maintained below the Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs) as outlined in NFPA 1 “Fire Code” and NFPA 400 “Hazardous Materials Code”.

Other Essential Duties: 

• In collaboration with the University’s Facilities Management Department, ensure that all fire system inspections, which includes but is not limited to alarms, sprinklers, kitchen hood suppression, clean agent systems, and extinguishers are compliant and up to date.
• Conduct inspections of grounds and buildings owned or operated by Suffolk University to identify fire and safety hazards and take necessary corrective actions and follow-up including but not limited to monthly visual inspections of exits signs, emergency lights and fire extinguishers.
• Observes and evaluates fire drill activities. Assists Director of Emergency Management in facilitating drills and providing guidance for special events as needed.
• Work with Facilities Planning and Management team to update life safety device locations and evacuation plans.
• Plan fire prevention week activities and develop fire safety training programs for staff and students.
• Provide advice and guidance on fire and life safety issues.
• Prepare reports in fire safety and inspection activities.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Job Competencies:

• Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles, practices and techniques related to general and construction fire and life safety, as outlined in NFPA 1 and 101.
• Essential knowledge of the content and application of local, state and national laws, codes and standards related to building construction, fire detection and suppression systems, general fire protection, the handling, storage and use of explosives, and the storage and use of hazardous materials.
• Organizing skills, especially in meeting deadlines and providing timely regulatory responses and reports.
• Documentation skills: Maintains records and reports in a well-organized and complete manner that is logically and easily retrievable.
• Analytical skills: able to research and analyze regulatory compliance issues and safety & health concerns and implement effective resolution strategies.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision to prioritize weekly and monthly tasks effectively to accomplish objectives.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex or technical information verbally and in writing.
• Maintains and builds strong working relationships with internal and external customers, contractors, government agencies and fire authorities.
• Ability to multitask, work independently, and coordinate detailed events.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Training skills: Ability to effectively identify, deliver and evaluate performance and instructional requirements for campus community stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 2 years’ experience OR 5 years’ experience in the Life Safety field. Must hold and maintain a valid, unrestricted United States driver’s license, with an insurable driving history as determined by Suffolk’s insurance carrier. Must possess knowledge of the Massachusetts Building Code, National Electrical Code, NFPA Standards and Codes, Life Safety Code, Fire Alarm, Sprinkler and Standpipe and Commercial Codes, and Kitchen Hood Codes. Knowledge of Microsoft Office. Successful completion or willing to attain within one year the following NFPA training certificates:

• NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives
• NFPA’s Hot Work Safety Certificate Training Program
• NFPA 241 Fire Prevention Program Manager Training

Work Environment: There are times when the individual will be subjected to construction site conditions such as extreme cold or hot weather.

Physical Demands: Ability to squat, kneel and maintain bent postures from 5 minutes up to 10 minutes for a continuous duration, on an occasional basis. Ability to walk on level, uneven and inclined surfaces on a sustained basis and climb steps up to 24 steps and ladders up to 18-ft on an occasional basis. Ability to carry up to 25-pounds up to 100 yards on an occasional basis. Suffolk University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.