Fire Safety Specialist
Job Description
Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) develops ethical leaders who serve as change agents across all sectors. The College’s unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its liberal arts core, its size (approximately 5,500 students), and its setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/New York border provide an optimal environment for individualized, student-centered learning and leadership development. RCNJ’s designation as “New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College” by the State legislature is the foundation from which the College’s commitment to an accessible and transformative undergraduate and graduate education is realized.
Established in 1969, CondeNast Traveler named Ramapo one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America. The barrier-free campus occupies 300 acres and is home to 42 bachelor’s degree programs spanning the arts, business, data science, humanities, education, nursing, social work, social sciences, and the sciences. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 21; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College’s exceptional faculty. In addition, the College offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work, and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Every degree program is designed and delivered through the collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts of student-centered faculty scholars and staff who are committed to serving the public good through the delivery of an academically rigorous, inclusive, and a transformative collegiate experience. Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public institutions by College Choice and is recognized as the State’s top college on the list of Best Disability Schools by Great Value Colleges. Further commendations include designation as a “Military Friendly College” in Victory Media’s Guide to Military Friendly Schools, and as a leading college by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger’s, Princeton Review, and Money Magazine, among others.
Responsibilities
Examples of Duties
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a Temporary full-time, CWA position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Occasional daytime, overnight, and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Note: Those non-faculty employees in the “NE” category of employment may have irregular or variable work hours. The compensatory time policy for NL employees below applies to “NE” employees up to 40 hours per week. Beyond 40 hours, the overtime policy for fixed workweek employees applies (i.e., rate of time and one-half in payment or compensatory time).
Salary:CWA - P18 - Step 1$56,253Internal Applicants Salary will be based on Union Negotiated Contracts
JOB SUMMARY:
The Temporary Fire Safety Specialist reports to the Senior College Fire Marshal within the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
This position is primarily responsible for providing comprehensive fire safety, emergency response, code enforcement, fire prevention, and education to the Ramapo College campus. The Fire Safety Specialist will provide standby coverage for confined space entries and emergency responses to fires, fire alarms, hazardous materials spills, and other emergency conditions. The selected candidate will also perform inspections of buildings, extinguishers, and other fire protection equipment.
The Temporary Fire Safety Specialist may also assist in monitoring and coordinating other campus environmental, health, & safety programs as assigned.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform fire safety, extinguisher inspections, and hazard assessments on all facilities, ensuring compliance with NJ Uniform Fire Code, PEOSH, and NFPA Standards. This includes monthly inspections of fire extinguishers, exit signs, emergency lights, sprinkler valves and fire doors.
- Complete inspection and deficiency reports, provide follow-up to ensure corrective action is taken and maintain records of all activities.
- Perform all-hazards emergency response to fires, hazardous material incidents, confined space and technical rescue incidents, and other campus emergencies.
- Initiate building evacuations, extinguish incipient fires, and coordinate the response of outside assistance by municipal fire departments.
- Respond to, investigate and take appropriate action for fire alarm and fire protection system activations.
- Extricates victims from entrapments including mechanical equipment and stalled elevators.
- Shuts off utilities at fire or emergency scene.
- Aids victims at scene of emergency by administering emergency medical treatment such as first aid and CPR or EMT treatment.
- Assist in the conduct of investigations to determine the cause of fires.
- Schedules annual fire extinguisher inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) with outside vendor.
- Maintains supply of reserve fire extinguishers to ensure adequate fire protection.
- Participates in campus fire safety education programs.
- Participates in the execution of mandatory emergency evacuation drills, as required by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
- Assists with fire safety coverage for large campus events.
- Assist with escorting vendors through areas of restricted or limited access.
- Maintains apparatus, tools, equipment, and protective gear in proper working order and satisfactory condition.
- Trains and participates in physical practice drills and activities.
- Performs additional duties as assigned by the College Fire Marshal or Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
Job Requirements
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of the provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of fire safety detection and suppression systems including limitations, types, operation, maintenance and installation.
- Knowledge of the proper methods for handling and storing hazardous materials.
- Knowledge of the procedures used to inspect and evaluate buildings and structures for fire hazards and fire safety.
- Ability to use and maintain firefighting equipment.
- Ability to apply basic techniques of fighting fires.
- Ability to perform strenuous physical activities such as lifting heavy firefighting equipment and climbing ladders.
- Ability to work in extreme heat and dust or smoke filled spaces, in elevated and confined areas, and in all kinds of weather, and to maintain physical activity for prolonged periods of time.
- Ability to understand and apply principles of emergency medical and first aid treatment including CPR.
- Ability to remain calm in emergency situations.
- Ability to work independently with minimal oversight to perform job responsibilities.
- Ability to conduct inspections to determine hazardous conditions.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with building occupants, College officials and other employees, local fire departments, campus Public Safety and others interested in or concerned with the enforcement of laws relating to fire safety.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree.
EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute experience on a year for year basis.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:
- New Jersey Fire Inspector or Fire Official
- New Jersey Firefighter I Certification
- New Jersey Hazardous Materials Response Awareness and Operational Levels
- NIMS IS-700 and I-800
- New Jersey Incident Management Level I
In accordance with NJAC 5:73-1.6(b), c & (d), effective February 17, 2000, applicants for this position must possess a valid Incident Management Level I Certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:
FIRE:
- New Jersey Firefighter II Certification
- New Jersey Incident Management Level II or III
- New Jersey Fire Instructor Level I or II
- New Jersey Hazardous Materials Technician
- New Jersey Hazardous Materials On-Scene Incident Commander
- Confined Space Rescue Operations or Technician
- Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) by the State of New Jersey or the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or equivalent
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Must be physically able to stand, squat, move, run, lift 45 pounds or more on a daily basis, lift and rescue victims and those who need assistance, perform all physical fire rescue duties including climbing ladders, operating in confined spaces, using tools, moving swiftly in rescue gear and other related physical tasks associated with emergency responses.
- Must be able to handle extremes in climate, noise, challenging climbing situations, and heavily crowded areas.
Must pass a fitness-for-duty exam pursuant to the employer’s policies including an OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation for full-face SCBA.LICENSE:
- Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey for the operation of a College owned vehicle.
- Must successfully complete a defensive driver safety-training course, and undergo an annual Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) driver license check for restrictions, suspension or revocation of driving privileges before receiving approval to drive a College vehicle.
