Fire and Life Safety Specialist

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Fire and Life Safety Specialist position in the Environmental Health Safety and Laboratory Operations department will oversee daily fire and life safety operations (administrative and technical work) and ensure compliance with safety regulations within the campus setting. This role is the first responder to the fire alarms on campus, coordinates fire safety inspections, manages fire protection and detection systems, performing workplace hazard evaluations implementing safety protocols to maintain a safe and secure work environment.

The ideal candidate for the Fire and Life Safety Specialist position will have a strong background in fire safety and emergency response. Higher ed experience is a plus. 

Workplace Requirements 

• Must be able and willing to wear personal protective equipment, including respirators, and respond to health and safety emergencies.
• Must be willing to work with fire protection systems and hazardous materials.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs. and climb stairs.
• Respond quickly to fire alarms 

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person on the Rice University campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range:  $65,000 to $75,000  

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.  
• 2 years in a related field (e.g. experience as a firefighter, first responder, or environmental health and safety professional).
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.  

Skills: 

• Excellent communication, training, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in fire detection and suppression systems.
• Experience in safety requirements and compliance related to fire and life safety. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite. 
• Able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to walk long distances and lift items up to 40 lbs. 
• Ability to wear ½ face and full face respiration protection.

Preferences:

• Safety Certifications such as CFPS, ASP, or CSP.
• Experience conducting hazard identification and risk assessments.
• Experience in emergency management or a related field.

Essential Functions:

• Responding quickly to the fire alarms on campus. 
• Coordinate and schedule routine fire safety inspections, ensuring the proper functioning of fire protection systems. 
• Maintain accurate records of fire safety equipment, inspections, and maintenance.
• Paying invoices for inspections and service contractors
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations regarding fire and life safety.
• Monitor campus safety practices and ensure adherence to established fire and life safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular safety inspections and audits of campus buildings and equipment.
• Assist in the developmen