Life Safety Lead Technician

Notice to Applicants: This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

Building Services provide full maintenance and repair services for all UNC facilities and ensure the proper operation of those facilities in support of the UNC mission of teaching, research and public service. Building Services supports more than 400 campus buildings with approximately 18 million gross square feet of space. The teams that provide quality maintenance, repair and construction services that support the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University include Campus Maintenance, EMCS, Facilities Operations Support, Housing Support, HVAC Systems, and Life Safety Services. The Life Safety Services section is a specialized unit within the Building Services Division of Facilities Services. This section is comprised of the Life Safety/Electronic-Specialty Shop, the Access Control/Key Shop, and the Emergency Generator Shop. This organizational unit delivers a high level of maintenance and support to safeguard human life, property, research, and other critical areas of significant financial and time investments for the entire University campus community including: all residence halls, classrooms facilities, research lab facilities, athletics facilities, medical school facilities, and offices facilities. These areas include but are not limited to: the Central Alarm Receiving System (CARS), all fire alarm detection and suppression systems, security and CCTV systems, key control, accessibility controllers, Biometric and Card Access, equipment alarm systems, and backup power emergency generators. Additionally, this unit supports all facets of Facilities Services, Energy Services, Environment Health & Safety, Public Safety, Facilities Planning & Construction, and Residential Student Housing in their efforts to support the campus community, all of which contribute to the University’s mission of teaching, research and public service.

Position Summary

A SIGN-ON BONUS OF $6,283 IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE: $3,141.50 WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE & $3,141.50 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.

Functions as a Technical Team Leader that supports the mission of the Life Safety Shop. Responsibilities include providing technical support, training and orientation to all technicians assigned to the Life Safety Shop; reviewing and approving system programming changes prior to downloading; reviewing and submitting FACP system programming changes; performing FACP system programming downloads and/or is present for all of them; and updating copies of all system programming changes that are submitted to the Life Safety Shop Supervisor immediately upon completion for storage on the appropriate network drive.

Ensures workload schedules are accomplished as issued. Notifies Supervisor immediately of any desired and/or necessary deviations, delays, or early completions. Performs major or more difficult installations and/or modifications to Life Safety: Fire Detection and Suppression Systems, and Equipment Monitoring Systems.

Performs walk-through inspections, above ceiling inspections, pre-final inspections, and final 100% acceptance building commissioning inspections, ensuring that all phases and/or project completions are in accordance with all applicable codes, guidelines, and standards including but not limited to: N.C. Building Code, NFPA13, NFPA70, NFPA72, the NCSCO requirements for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, and the NCSCO requirements for Fire Sprinkler Systems. Initiates punch-lists of deficiencies or discrepancies and performs completed punch-list re-inspections.

Ensures technicians perform all Preventive Maintenance (PM) Inspections and all repairs on Life Safety Systems are completed on schedule and are in accordance with manufacturer specifications, NFPA12A, NFPA25, NFPA72 and the International Fire Code. Individually obtains and maintains licenses from the N.C. State Board of Examiners to legally perform the inspections, which also requires additional National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) certifications. The specific Life Safety system manufacturer certifications must also be individually obtained and maintained to perform any repairs or system modifications.

Utilizes laptop computers for system diagnostic interrogations, troubleshooting, programming, and to configure different system peripheral printers for extraction of required system histories and sensitivity report generations.

Performs specialized programming on Equipment Alarm Systems to ensure system integrity and individual customer/departmental application needs are met.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

NICET Level II certification in Fire Alarm Systems. NICET Level II certification in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems.
Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

Individuals not holding a NICET Level II Certification for Inspection and Testing of Water-based Systems, Limited Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners and a Limited Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners are required to gain licenses and certification at the expense of the university within three (3) years of employment, as a condition of continued employment. Individuals not holding NICET Level II Certification for Fire Alarm Systems are required to gain certification within four (4) years, at the expense of the university, as a condition of continued employment.

*Must possess a valid NC Driver’s License or have the ability to obtain one prior to hire date.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Associate’s degree in electronics; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences

• Extensive fire alarm industry experience, including programming, troubleshooting, repair, testing, inspection, commissioning, and maintenance of fire detection, alarm, suppression, and life safety systems.
• Advanced knowledge of fire protection and life safety codes and standards, including NFPA, NEC, IFC, ADA, and North Carolina regulatory requirements.
• Expertise in electronic systems diagnostics, circuit-board-level troubleshooting, microprocessor-based systems, and system programming using computer-based tools.
• Factory certification from at least two major fire alarm manufacturers, with the ability to configure systems, ensure code compliance, and train end users.
• Proven ability to manage service priorities and customer needs while collaborating professionally with stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and diverse client groups.

Required Licenses/Certifications

NICET Level II certification in Fire Alarm Systems. NICET Level II certification in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems.
Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

Individuals not holding a NICET Level II Certification for Inspection and Testing of Water-based Systems, Limited Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners and a Limited Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners are required to gain licenses and certification at the expense of the university within three (3) years of employment, as a condition of continued employment. Individuals not holding NICET Level II Certification for Fire Alarm Systems are required to gain certification within four (4) years, at the expense of the university, as a condition of continued employment.

*Must possess a valid NC Driver’s License or have the ability to obtain one prior to hire date.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Ability to stand for long periods of time, work from personal lifts, ascend/descend ladders and/or work from scaffolding at least 10 ft high. Ability to crawl under buildings, enter manholes, and/or enter or work in confined spaces. Ability to stoop and squat, and move objects weighing at least 40 lbs. above head, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Ability to provide support for Bio-Safety Level (BSL) 2+ and 3 labs, which requires a baseline blood draw and physical. Entry into hot labs, with an Environment Health & Safety department escort, required. Ability to wear respiratory protection, receive annual medical certification, and be fit tested and trained.

Ability to serve as a mandatory employee and report to work in support of essential (mandatory) University operations, even when adverse weather or other emergency conditions may require the University to close.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements

Evening work occasionally, Exposure to Hazardous Materials, Night work occasionally, On-call occasionally, Overtime occasionally, Valid NC Driver’s License, Weekend work occasionally

Special Instructions

ELIGIBILITY FOR SIGN-ON BONUS

The selected candidate for this position may be eligible for a sign-on bonus. Qualified applicants must apply and be selected from the candidate pool of this posting and meet the State policy following requirements:

To be eligible for a Sign-on bonus, an individual must not have worked in a probationary, permanent, or time-limited appointment in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including but not limited to the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system in a position subject to the State Human Resources Act. A newly hired permanent full time or permanent part-time (more than 20 hours a week) employee are eligible for a sign-on bonus (this will be prorated for employees working more than 20 hours and less than 40 hours per week).

This SHRA Sign-on Bonus is contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. All recipients must sign the Pay Back Agreement form. Additional information regarding the SHRA Sign-on Policy can be found https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy.