The Fire Safety Specialist provides fire and life safety technical expertise in support of the University’s Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Fire Safety Program. This position serves as a subject matter expert on uniform fire codes, fire alarm and suppression systems, and life safety features. The role leads fire code enforcement, building inspections, fire drills, special event oversight, hazard evaluations, and fire safety training, while also providing technical support for fire and life safety system maintenance and testing.

Essential Functions (Major Duties & Responsibilities)

Fire Drill & Emergency Evacuation Programs

Supervises fire drills and evacuation programs for assigned academic buildings and residence halls.
Coordinates with building supervisors and emergency personnel to ensure safe and efficient building evacuations.

Special Events & Large Assembly Inspections

Conducts inspections for special events, large assemblies, and temporary installations such as tents, stages, pyrotechnics, and electrical setups.
Ensures compliance with life safety requirements including means of egress, occupancy loads, and crowd management.

Training & Fire Safety Education

Provides fire safety training for faculty, staff, and students, including fire extinguisher usage, evacuation procedures, and fire safety awareness.
Supports campus fire safety outreach initiatives.

Emergency Response Support

Responds as needed to fire and hazardous materials incidents.
Assists in responding fire departments by providing facility information, pre-planning support, and system knowledge during emergency situations.

Hazard Identification & Abatement

Evaluates hazardous conditions in buildings, labs, and operations.
Recommends and implements corrective actions to eliminate or reduce fire and life safety hazards.

Support for EH&S Programs

Assist other EH&S programs when needed, contributing to department-wide safety initiatives.

Fire Code Enforcement & Inspections

Assist and conduct fire code compliance inspections as needed, walk-throughs, and re-inspections for university buildings.
Consults with departments on corrective actions and timelines to resolve identified fire code violations.
Documents deficiencies and provides expert guidance to ensure compliance with university, state, and national fire codes.

Supporting Duties (Fire Safety Systems Support)

Fire & Life Safety System Assistance

Supports the inspection, testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance of fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke evacuation systems, fire/smoke dampers, fire doors, emergency lighting, exit signage, and extinguisher programs.
Provides field support for vendors performing inspection, testing, and maintenance activities.
Enables/disables fire alarm systems to support maintenance, testing, and construction activities.

Technical Troubleshooting

Performs advanced diagnostics using blueprints, wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals to identify system failures and assist in resolution.

Compliance & Documentation

Ensures adherence to NFPA standards, the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and university policies.
Maintains accurate inspection reports, service records, and equipment inventories within the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).

Team & Operational Support

Provides guidance, mentorship, and technical directions to fire safety technicians or student employees assigned.
Participate in on-call rotation and emergency response assignments including hurricane preparedness and fire watch coverage.
Maintains workspaces, vehicles, and tools to ensure operational readiness.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in fire alarm, sprinkler, or life safety systems inspection, maintenance, or repair.
Degree Equivalency Clause:
Two (2) years of direct experience for an associate degree.
Four (4) years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
Related work experience may not substitute for required licensure, certification, or registration.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate’s degree in Fire Science, Electronics, or a related technical field.
State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I certification.
NICET Level II or higher in fire protection systems.
Experience working in a large institutional or campus environment.
Knowledge of NFPA codes, fire alarm/sprinkler systems, and digital inspection software or CMMS platforms.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Extensive knowledge of fire codes, NFPA standards, and life safety regulations.
Understanding fire detection, suppression, and alarm systems.
Ability to interpret plans, schematics, and technical documentation.
Strong communication, customer service, and public-speaking skills.
Ability to identify hazards and propose effective corrective actions.
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and document work accurately.

Additional Information for Applicants:

-Valid Florida Driver’s License.
-Successful completion of required background check.
-Fieldwork across campus buildings and outdoor event spaces.
-Requires walking, climbing, standing, kneeling, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
-May require after-hours, weekend work, or participation in on-call rotations.
-Occasional travel to other USF campuses.

This is an essential personnel position and may be required to report to work during emergencies or university closures.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.

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Fire Safety Systems Specialist

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