Fire & Life Safety Officer

Title: Fire & Life Safety Officer

Employee Classification: Fire & Life Safety Officer

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-VP Finance & Admin

SubDivision-Department: UNT-Risk Mgmt Services

Department: UNT-Risk Mgmt Services-Gen-152600

Job Location: Denton

Salary: 54000.00

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Risk Management Department at the University of North Texas is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks that could impact the safety, operations, and financial stability of the university. The department develops and administers programs that promote regulatory compliance, reduce liability exposure, and protect university assets, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Within Risk Management, the Fire and Life Safety program supports the university’s overall risk mitigation strategy by implementing comprehensive fire prevention and life safety initiatives aligned with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as nationally recognized codes and standards.
Key functions include conducting fire and life safety inspections, managing permit-based safety programs such as hot work, performing monthly campus AED inspections, and supporting emergency preparedness activities. The program works collaboratively with Facilities, Housing, construction and project teams, campus departments, and external Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to promote safe design, construction, occupancy, and operations across campus.
Through proactive risk reduction, education, and compliance oversight, the Fire and Life Safety program enhances campus safety and supports the university’s mission by maintaining a safe and resilient learning and working environment.

Position Overview

The Fire and Life Safety Officer at the University of North Texas (UNT) plays a critical role in protecting life, property, and continuity of operations across a dynamic campus environment. This position is responsible for implementing, managing, and continuously improving the university’s comprehensive fire and life safety programs in alignment with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as nationally recognized codes and standards (e.g., NFPA, IFC, and OSHA).
The Fire and Life Safety Officer provides technical expertise and oversight in fire prevention, hazard mitigation, system compliance, and emergency preparedness. The position supports a proactive risk management approach through inspections, plan reviews, permit programs, and training initiatives designed to reduce risk and strengthen campus resilience.
Key areas of responsibility include administration of fire and life safety compliance programs such as hot work permitting, fire and life safety inspections, and impairment coordination. The role works collaboratively with Facilities, Housing, construction project teams, campus departments, and external authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to ensure safe design, occupancy, and operation of university facilities.
The Fire and Life Safety Officer also serves as an educator and resource to the UNT community by developing and delivering training, interpreting fire and life safety codes, and promoting a culture of safety awareness and regulatory compliance. This position may participate in incident investigations, emergency response coordination, and after-action reviews to support continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable and detail-oriented safety professional with strong communication skills, a customer-focused mindset, and the ability to balance regulatory enforcement with practical, solutions-oriented guidance in a higher education setting.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related field and two years of experience in safety administration, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Employees in this job may be responsible for conducting research on, working on, or having the ability to access critical organizational infrastructure and they must be able to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure related to this role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Knowledge of Department of Homeland Security regulations.
* Knowledge of five phases of emergency management and National Incident Management System (NIMS).
* Required building and fire code knowledge.
* Strong written and oral communication skills.
* Ability to substantiate results from reports using spreadsheets and analysis.
* Supervisory skills.

Preferred Qualifications

*Certification as a Fire Inspector I through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) or the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)
*ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700, and ICS-800

Required License/Registration/Certifications

*Certification as a Fire Inspector I through TCFP or IFSAC, or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment.
*Valid driver's license

Job Duties

• Conduct fire and life safety inspections of campus facilities to identify hazards, ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards, and document deficiencies with recommended corrective actions. 
• Administer and manage fire prevention programs, including but not limited to the hot work permit program and monthly campus AED inspections, ensuring proper controls, documentation, and compliance across campus operations. 
• Develop and deliver fire and life safety training, education, and outreach programs to faculty, staff, and students to promote regulatory compliance and a culture of safety. 

Physical Requirements

Communicating with others to exchange information.
Lifting and Moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Environmental Hazards

Elevated temperatures.
Low temperatures.
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Work Schedule

8am-5pm Monday-Friday 40 hours a week with occasional weekend days

Driving University Vehicle

Yes

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.