Fire Prevention Specialist - Berkeley, United States - University of California Berkeley

Description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit

Departmental Overview

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission.

For more information, visit

Position Summary

Serve as the Fire Prevention Specialist - Hazardous Materials, performing special and routine inspections of facilities that house the quantity, storage and use of hazardous materials and ensuring facilities are operated within the boundaries allowed by applicable code.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 06/06/2024.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and monitors environmental and safety programs, systems, procedures, and training in one or more of the following fields: hazardous materials control, laboratory safety, and fire prevention.

• Ensures ongoing compliance with California Building Code and California Fire Code, and other applicable regulations for the proper storage, use and handling of hazardous materials.
• Implement, and maintain a comprehensive hazardous materials fire prevention program;
• Organizes, schedules, and conducts inspections of existing facilities for compliance with hazardous materials regulations interacting with department, laboratory, and shop personnel. Adapts as required to the needs of each department.
• Reviews Hazardous Materials Inventory Statements (HMIS) and hazardous materials classification of facilities and respective control areas.
• Maintains records and prepares reports and correspondence.
• Collaborates with EH&S colleagues and campus partners in updating the campus chemical inventory and business plan required by the City of Berkeley and CUPA.
• Accesses the campus chemical inventory system to monitor compliance.
• Drives university vehicles in fulfillment of job responsibilities.

Performs outreach and communication to organization within relevant field.

• Provides training to campus clients (researchers, faculty, building coordinators, lab/department safety coordinators) on "Control Area" and "Maximum Allowable Quantities" concepts to ensure their facilities and operations are code compliant.
• Trains Fire Prevention, EH&S colleagues and other emergency responders on the requirements of proper handling and storage of hazardous materials in laboratories, shops and classrooms.
• Consults on hazardous materials codes and standards, and provides content updates and copy for necessary communication materials.

Inspects, investigates deficiencies, incidents and complaints, and recommends corrective action as needed.

• Performs technical work related to field(s) of expertise.
• Makes recommendations to eliminate or mitigate hazardous conditions.
• Ensures timely resolution of high-risk issues, including preparing lesson learned documentation.
• Liaises with local fire departments on training of hazardous materials responses to the campus and debriefing after any hazardous materials incidents on campus.
• Monitors compliance timeline constraints, tracks progress, and reports areas of concern.

Within specific field, maintains knowledge/expertise on existing/proposed changes in all regulations; interprets and applies relevant laws, regulations, codes and standards, including making recommendations for work environment changes based on interpretations and principles of professional practices. **See "Governing Laws and Regulations" below

• Creates and adjusts methodologies to meet changing regulatory and scientific environment.
• Designs new and/or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedures.
• Completes and maintains compliance on campus/systemwide training requirements, as well as any training necessary per role.

Staff development:

• Works on professional committees and assignments, participates in professional training and attends relevant conferences, and/or is mentored or coached on a formal or informal basis.

Performs other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to:

FERST: As part of Urgent Response Support Program (URSP), serves as member of Fire Emergency Response Support Team (FERST), including after hours requirement.

• During assigned rotation, serve as primary contact for UC Police Department (UCPD) and other municipal emergency response units related to campus fire events.
• Respond to fire scenes, returning to campus if appropriate and required. Performs fire cause and origin investigations and limited arson investigation.
• Maintains incident log and prepares investigation report.
• Must be accessible by UCPD via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to fire incidents (emergencies) during non-business hours.
• Must be within one hour of campus and may not engage in activity that will affect the ability to respond.
• Notify appropriate authorities OSFM Duty Chief, Campus Fire Marshal and/or EH&S Executive Director.

ER: At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC Administration/Research, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), must be available in a campus disaster or campus hazardous material release/threatened release, to serve in the appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of fire and life safety principles, and familiarity with all EH&S fields.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials management, including its scientific background, technology, principles, methods, investigative techniques and problems.
• Knowledge and understanding of principles and practices in laboratories conducting biology, chemistry, physics, nanotechnologies, microelectronic researches, etc. to ensure proper handling and storage of hazardous materials.
• Thorough written, and verbal communication skills, effective facilitation, interpersonal, conflict resolution skills, and political acumen to communicate workplace hazard mitigation to a diverse audience.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within time and resource constraints.
• Strong skill to appropriately use and apply technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
• Completion of SFM Fire Investigation 1A course within 6 months of hire, or equivalent experience.
• As requested or warranted, ability to properly wear N-95 dust mask respirators, for protection from soot and airborne combustion particulates.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of application of environmental, health, and safety regulations relevant to UC Berkeley facilities and research activities.
• Experience in performing fire prevention code enforcement inspections, plan review and construction inspections with an emphasis on the use, handling and storage of hazardous materials.
• Professional certification.
• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Toxicology or Biosciences.

**Governing Laws and Regulations Hazardous Materials/Waste Management

• California Code of Regulations - Title 19 Public Safety.
• California Code of Regulations - Title 24 Building Standards Code Parts 1-9 with emphasis on: California Building Code California Fire Code.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes and Standards.

Salary & Benefits

This is a 3yr, full-time (40 hours/week), contract appointment, eligible for UC benefits with the possibility of extension with continued funding. This is a monthly paid, exempt position.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. 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, analysis of internal equity, 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 budgeted salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $77, $115,000.00, commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

• A valid driver's license and DMV check for driving record is required.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.