Deputy Campus Fire Marshal (On-site)

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $77,800 - $97,000/yr.

Initial applicant review will begin on or around January 27, 2025. Posting will remain open until filled.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully on-site.

Please note: This position will be a 2-year contract appointment with an option of an additional 2-year renewal.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

The Deputy Campus Fire Marshal acts on behalf of the OSFM to do specialized plan review and field enforcement work. This position provides a professional level of fire protection services to the Campus in two major categories: 1) Design, construction, and inspection of a new and/or modified facility and 2) comprehensive fire prevention services for existing facilities, including Title 19 inspections. This position will review plans and specifications for compliance with adopted regulations and standards; consults with fire officials, architects, engineers, contractors, principal investigators, chemists, hygienists, and campus staff on problems of hazardous materials, fire and panic safety in the design, construction and operation of buildings and facilities at UC Merced owned or occupied facilities, both contiguous and off-site locations.

Under general direction of the Lead Designated Campus Fire Marshal or the Assistant Campus Fire Marshal, the Deputy Campus Fire Marshal acts as a delegated authority for external regulatory agencies to approve/deny activities that may impact the campus core mission. The Deputy Campus Fire Marshal is a Designated Deputy Campus Fire Marshal and adheres to the UCOP/SFM MOU. Attends professional meetings and training, as required.

The position will conduct Title 19 inspections, perform comprehensive fire code compliance inspections of all campus buildings on an annual basis and monitor necessary follow-up activities, conducts plan reviews, reviews job site safety plans, conducts inspections/reviews of special events and setups, develops and provides educational programs to improve fire safety, may represent the DCFM in the EOC and/or at other critical incidents. The Deputy Campus Fire Marshal will also assist with the Title 24 program to site development, plans and specifications, RFI's, and Bulletins. The Deputy Campus Fire Marshal will work with Emergency Management conducting fire drills and provide fire prevention training, including both oral and written public education programs.

The Deputy Campus Fire Marshal attends meetings, sits on committees, works with campus stakeholders on projects/issues and provides feed back on developing issues. The Deputy Campus Fire Marshal works closely with campus partners to ensure compliance with requirements set forth in Federal law, State law, UCOP policies, Campus policies, DSA-AC, OSHPD, and OSFM.

The Deputy Campus Fire Marshal responds to campus or other university owned/operated sites as necessary or directed for investigations, critical incidents, fires, floods, etc. and this response may need to occur outside of normal business hours.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

INSPECTIONS:

• Independently completes the most complex inspections of construction for all campus projects including major and minor capital projects, construction modifications and repairs to existing facilities. Capital projects include the Medical Education Building, Promise Housing and Classroom and Office Building 3. Inspects existing buildings on and off campus. Inspects and witnesses tests of fire protections systems. Implements the requirements of the UCOP/SFM MOU and enforces the California SFM adopted fire and building regulations, campus policies and standards. Provides all written documentation of inspections including fire clearance and Certificates of Occupancy.
• Makes detailed inspections of building projects and related facilities in the process of construction or alterations; confirms and keeps records of time, materials; conducts field inspections; keeps a diary of important conditions and happenings during the progress of the work; confirms; makes inspection reports on the quality of materials and workmanship entering into construction; prepares correspondence and reports as required.

PLAN REVIEW:

• Reviews and approves design development and construction documents, plans, specifications and bid documents for compliance with adopted codes and standards. Meets with design teams.
• Provide the formally mandated construction/renovation plan review in and approvals programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, and the detailed review of progress drawings developed during design and construction to determine and assure compliance with minimum state building & fire codes and campus standards. Continual participation in all developmental stages of capital projects.
• Serves as the campus technical resource on fire protection and code compliance to users, construction managers, project architects, engineers and managers related to capital construction. Provides campus partners with definitive answers on complex building code issues involving multi-discipline variables. Works collaboratively with affected parties providing consultation services to campus groups. Monitors and controls the organization's EH&S standards in accordance with regulations.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS:

• Responds to emergencies; participates in fire investigations; conducts post audits on campus fire and panic events; identify prevention opportunities. Participates in the EOC; responds to campus disasters, hazardous material release, threatened release; and to serve in appropriate role based upon expertise and where appropriate.
• Develops program readiness for emergency response; maintains equipment and supplies for response activities. Assists with the revision and development of various emergency management documents.

CAMPUS TRAINING:

• Conducts campus fire and life safety training/education program in relation to capital projects, such as the Medical Education Building, Promise Housing, and Classroom and Office Building 3. Updates fire and life safety training programs and procedures as needed to comply with changing regulations and/or Campus needs. Conducts fire/life safety awareness and fire prevention training to reduce or eliminate workplace fire hazards, prevent fire losses to property, and minimize fire-related accidents to employees. Provides re-training to people who fail to respond appropriately to fire alarms and other fire/life safety issues. Conducts hands-on fire extinguisher training.

PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS/AFFILIATIONS & OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED:

• Can represent the Campus Fire Marshal in meetings with campus leadership, planners, architects, engineers, the City of Merced Fire Department, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
• Attends training. Serves as delegated representative of senior management to system-wide, local government, state and federal levels of authority in matters related to EH&S in the individual field of expertise.
• Functions as the Title 19 Existing Facility designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM). Is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on the Campus for all Title 19 related matters.
• Participates in providing effective comprehensive fire hazard abatement program for the UCM Campus. Develops and implements an effective comprehensive fire hazard abatement program for the UCM Campus. Schedules inspections, notifies responsible parties of upcoming inspections. Determines fire and life safety status of buildings and departments by inspection. Reports deficiencies to department heads or higher-level administrators as needed. Initiates action to eliminate hazards, produce legible abatement notices, initiate follow-up action for outstanding abatements, and document results of inspections.
• Provides practical consultation to clients and facility coordinators to achieve high compliance to code deficiencies. Analyzes trends and recommends appropriate corrective action. Maintains a data base of all fire inspection activities. Responds to fires as requested for clearance and re-occupation of building.

EDUCATION and REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering Technology, Architecture, or related engineering field, preferred.
• Associate degree In Fire Technology or 15 units of Fire Technology courses from an accredited college or equivalent units from an institution approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Section 94310(b). (preferred)
• Five (5) years of recent fulltime experience in performing combination of fire prevention inspections, plan review, and construction inspections in a California local or state entity responsible for fire and life safety code and regulation enforcement, and/or nine (9) years of equivalent experience/training.
• A minimum of six (6) years cumulative recent experience in plan review. (Credit will be given towards work experience as a building inspector and plans examiner in a building department.)
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in Fire Protection in California. (Preferred)
• Achieve Designated Campus Fire Marshal approval by the Office of the State Fire Marshal required within 1 year (12 months) of employment per the UCOP/SFM MOU. Certification from NFPA or ICC.
• Successful completion of Fire inspector 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D courses from OFSM - CA Fire Service Training and Education.
• Successful completion of the SFM Statutes and Regulations course within 1 year (12 months) of employment per the UCOP/SFM MOU.
• Must maintain valid CA DL, a clean DMV record and enrollment in DMV Pull-Notice Program

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Advanced technical knowledge within a specific inspection area based on the California adopted codes and regulations; California Administrative Codes Titles 19 & 24, NFPA Standards, Campus Standards, fire protection systems, hazardous materials and other related codes and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of California adopted codes and regulations and the Campus Construction Design Standards with the ability to interpret those codes and regulations. Knowledge of the UCOP/SFM MOU.
• Demonstrated thorough knowledge and skills in completing comprehensive plan review and inspection services for complex construction projects and existing buildings on and off campus, including a wide variety of fire protection and fire and life safety systems.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills, including advanced political acumen and skill to deal with diverse constituencies in a highly political environment. Able to effectively represent the organization to state and federal authorities and community groups.
• Thorough analytical skills and ability to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of high-level and potentially complex projects within budget and time constraints. (Preferred)

Background check required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) "other"

Additional information? (select) "other"

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.