Safety and Health Specialist - Fire & Life Safety Division

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Safety and Health Specialist – Fire & Life Safety Division

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.

Primary Purpose of Position: This position will serve as the primary fire and life safety resource for Duke University’s and Duke University Health System’s laboratory environments.  Will be able to independently recognize deficiencies and hazards and research unfamiliar situations. Provide technical leadership to Duke Departments and personnel, and serve as an expert consultant for fire and life safety issues within the institution.  This position also collaborates extensively with the other Divisions within OESO to provide guidance for the laboratory environment and support for regulatory compliance.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

In addition to the primary duties, the Safety and Health Specialist will:

• Serve as representative of OESO for safety committees, meetings and various committees as designated by the Director, Fire and Life Safety and/or Director, OESO.
• Act as liaison with the local Fire Marshal, Division of Facility Services, CAP, The Joint Commission and other regulatory personnel to review surveys and follow-ups as required.  Enforce existing regulations governing these activities and promulgate new standards and policies as needed.
• Develop and implement fire protection and life safety programs and procedures to ensure employee, student and facility safety in accordance with all city, state and federal fire and life safety codes.  Responsible for the coordination and oversight of all activities associated with the fire safety programs and assessing fire protection systems and life safety implications.
• Responsible for the review and oversight of building construction designs, fire protection oversight and audit programs, fire loss control methodologies, fire inspection reports, property damage reports from fire loss and fire prevention training activities.
• Oversee and provide technical leadership to departments and personnel, attend departmental meetings and assist departments in implementing general fire safety policies, site specific fire plans and measures.  Meets with community and civic organizations as required to promote fire safety.
• Provide technical assistance to fire alarm and fire suppression designers, contractors, architects and engineers and coordinate fire and life safety issues.
• Conduct detailed investigation of all fires and provide information and reports to administration as required.
• Provide technical assistance to laboratories within Duke facilities to ensure compliance with OSHA, CAP, and other relevant life safety standards.

Other Position Characteristics:

• Must be available to work evenings, weekends, short notice after-hours shifts and weekends. 
• Must be able to respond to after-hours call backs when on a call back stand-by notice.
• Must be available by phone or other immediate communication method at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have a complete working knowledge of Joint Commission Life Safety and Environment of Care Standards as well as NFPA Life Safety Code 101, NFPA 99, CAP, and other pertinent standards.
• Proven knowledge and familiarity with training techniques.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards pertaining to fire and life safety.
• Ability to utilize computer technology to develop and access data, maintain records, generate reports and develop training programs.  Must be proficient in use of Microsoft Office Applications and programs.
• Creative problem solving to recognize and correct fire safety issues and concerns and to develop training programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan and coordinate work schedules.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Protection Management, Fire Prevention, or related field.

Experience:

• No experience for level 1; three years’ experience for level 2; five years’ experience for level 3.
• Preferred: Five years of practical field experience and personnel management.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to take and pass the Certified Fire Protection Specialist exam within two years of hire if deemed necessary.
• NFPA Certified Fire Prevention Inspector Certification (preferred).

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.