Job Summary

The Fire and Life Safety Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive fire prevention and life safety programs to protect people and property. This position ensures compliance with all applicable codes, regulations, and best practices through regular inspections, risk assessments, and staff training. The specialist collaborates with internal teams and external agencies to enhance emergency preparedness and response. By promoting a proactive culture of safety, this role minimizes hazards and supports organizational resilience. The Fire and Life Safety Specialist serves as a key resource for fire and life safety expertise across the organization.

Responsibilities

Inspections

• Lead and participate in regular fire and life safety inspections across campus buildings and facilities.

• Act as the primary contact for the Deputy State Fire Marshal, Cal FIRE, and the CSU Office of Fire Safety.

• Identify and document fire hazards during inspections, working with building occupants to resolve issues promptly and develop corrective action plans.

• Coordinate routine pre-inspections ahead of official Cal FIRE visits to maintain readiness.

• Monitor inspection statuses, permits, and reports through systems like GOVMOTUS.

• Ensure compliance with fire safety codes and regulations including NFPA and OSHA.

• Provide timely updates and performance metrics to the EH&S Director, helping to shape and track program success through measurable KPIs.

Programs

• Serve as the subject matter expert for fire and life safety programs, including the fire safety plan and hot work permit program.

• Review hot work permit requests to ensure appropriate fire risk mitigation.

• Conduct fire risk assessments using tools like modeling and heat mapping to effectively communicate hazards and solutions.

• Use gap analyses and vulnerability assessments to identify and implement safety improvements.

Training

• Develop and lead fire safety training programs tailored to different campus areas such as labs, shops, and dining services.

• Maintain training records to meet regulatory requirements.

• Coordinate and lead fire drills and emergency preparedness exercises in collaboration with Emergency Management.

• Promote a strong safety culture across campus by raising awareness and offering ongoing support to faculty, staff, and students.

Fire Preparedness

• Support development of fire-related emergency response plans.

• Keep thorough records of all training, drills, and inspections in line with record retention standards.

• Collaborate with local fire departments and regulators to resolve issues and enhance campus safety.

• Help evaluate wildfire and building-specific risks, contributing to insurance and mitigation planning. Create and maintain a campus fire risk heat map and action plan.

Minimum Qualifications: Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree and/or the equivalent training and administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs, PLUS two years of related experience.

Required Qualifications

In addition to Position Skill Level - Non-Exempt knowledge and skill requirements, work assignments typically require:
Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques applicable to the program and/or administrative specialty to develop conclusions and make recommendations.
Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and outside regulations pertaining to the applicable program and/or administrative specialty.
Working knowledge of operational and fiscal analysis and techniques.
Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
Skill in the research, development and evaluation of policies and programs, including skill in the collection, evaluation, and interpretation of data to develop sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
Expertise in investigating and analyzing problems with a broad administrative impact and implications. Ability to anticipate problems and address them proactively.
Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written or presentation form.
Ability to train others on new skills and procedures and provide lead work direction.

Preferred Qualifications

Certification or eligibility for certification (e.g., Certified Safety Professional, Associate Safety Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist)
Experience within the CSU
Bachelor’s degree in occupational health, industrial hygiene, environmental health and safety, or a related scientific or fire science field, or equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the duties of the position.
Conduct fire and life safety inspections of buildings and facilities to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local codes and standards, such as NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and relevant building codes.
Interpret and apply applicable fire and life safety codes and standards, serving as a resource for code-related questions and ensuring all recommendations and actions align with regulatory requirements
Strong organizational and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple programs, and meet deadlines effectively.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports and deliver professional presentations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software tools.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in analyzing problems and developing effective solutions.

Special Conditions: 

Must be able to wear respiratory protection, including but not limited to a self-contained breathing apparatus.
Must be able to work in inclement environments as needed.
Must be able to exercise discretion in handling sensitive matters and information.
Must be able to lift up to 49 pounds in alignment with safe lifting requirements.
Must be able to work in environments with potential exposure to hazardous materials, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment as required.

License / Certification: 

Valid CA driver's license and insurance.

Compensation and Benefits:

Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,598 monthly. 

Classification Salary Range: $4,598 - $8,318 monthly. 

The salary offered will take into account internal equity and experience among other factors.

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 15 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Position Information:

Full-time/Exempt/Probationary

Academic year schedule: Monday through Friday (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), some evenings/weekends.

Summer schedule: Monday through Thursday (7:00 am - 5:30 pm), some evenings/weekends.

The application deadline is: Tuesday, June 24, 2025. 

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

California State University, San Bernardino is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B Visas).

Conditions of Employment

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Drivers License Check

Possession of a valid Driver's License is required.  Employees in this position will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid driver's license and reflects driving record.

Mandated Reporter

The person holding this position is considered a `mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Campus Security Authority

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position under the federal Jeanne Cleary Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act Crimes reported to them or that they witness. CSA training is required.

I-9

CSUSB hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  See Form I-9 Acceptable Documents at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents.

Statement of Commitment to Diversity

In our commitment to the furthering of knowledge and fulfilling our educational mission, California State University, San Bernardino seeks a campus climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the entire variety of human experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures in the curriculum and extra-curricular life of the campus community. We will create, promote, and maintain activities and programs that further our understanding of individual and group diversity. We will also develop and communicate policies and promote values that discourage intolerance and discrimination.

California State University, San Bernardino is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, caste, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. This position adheres to CSU policies against Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. This requires completion of Sexual Violence Prevention Training within 6 months of assuming employment and on a two-year basis thereafter. (Executive Order 1096) For more information about Diversity & Inclusion at CSUSB, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/human-resources/diversity-inclusion

Closing Statement:

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact CSUSB Benefits at benefits@csusb.edu.

Smoking

CSUSB is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.  See policy at  https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6591951/latest/.

Clery Act

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Cal State San Bernardino Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://www.csusb.edu/clery-act