Fire Protection Engineer

Capitalizing on over 140 years of history and tradition in downtown Los Angeles, the University of Southern California (USC) has embarked on an unprecedented period of expansion. USC is now poised to take its place as the preeminent research institution of the 21st century and we are looking for skilled, motivated professionals to help forge the future of higher education.

The USC department of Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) – Engineering Services is seeking a Fire Protection Engineer.

THE WORK YOU WILL DO

The Fire Protection Engineer serves as technical support for all department programs. This position provides leadership and direction on project operations and activities such as the assessment, design, plan, schedule, budget and scope of services. Identifies appropriate strategies to ensure delivery of quality of services with available resources. Provides technical expertise, support, and management to FPM as it relates to fire protection building infrastructure. Interprets federal, state, and local regulations to ensure compliance with existing regulations.

The Engineering Services department consists of technical experts in the areas of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and commissioning.  The team is responsible for technical scope development, assessment reports, and design reviews, along with providing construction administration technical support.  The engineering team works in tandem with Project Managers and Shop Managers to ensure that all technical aspects of systems, whether new, repairs or replacements, meet the needs of the University.  The engineering team also drives the standards within the USC Facility Design Guidelines.  The Engineering Services department is focused on quality control & quality assurance for construction projects on USC campuses including new buildings, tenant improvements, and renovations.

The Fire Protection Engineer

• Performs engineering assessment, analysis and scoping for assigned projects.  Provides technical support for the development of documentation for bid and construction. Ensures project drawings and specifications comply with university standards and specifications along with federal, state, and local requirements. Provides construction phase support such as review of submittals, documents interpretation and field observation.

• Develops, monitors, and implements policies, processes, standards and guidelines for various facility fire protection systems to maintain quality control of project types and sizes. Recommends best industry practices in support of improving unit processes for meeting user and facility needs.

• Manages and negotiates consultant services on assigned projects. Monitors and evaluates the appropriateness and progress performed and completed by licensed or certified consultants.

• Oversees, initiates, and reviews feasibility studies to determine whether design concepts are compatible within existing infrastructures. Develops and recommends changes to design concepts, as necessary. Reviews inspections of current building fire protection systems. Determines whether systems need to be repaired, replaced, or retrofitted. Recommends equipment or systems to install.

• Conducts quality assurance reviews to ensure that required work is satisfactorily performed and completed by certified consultants.

• Monitors operation, maintenance, and development of fire protection systems. Assists with resolution of performance issues.

• Identifies problems and determines resolution within operating parameters and constraints. Assists with troubleshooting issues with various facility systems.

• Gathers facts and figures to support budget development. Monitors and reconciles budget activity. Provides forecasts and projections to develop a budget.

• Prepares reports as needed.

• Provides leadership and guidance to staff, student workers or contractors, as assigned. Leads and facilitates inter-department committees to improve on efficiency and effectiveness of delivering services to end users, as directed

• Displays strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Displays strong technical background in fire protection systems, including but not limited to fire alarm, fire sprinkler, gaseous suppression systems, and pre-action systems.

• Displays strong organizational skills including workload management and time management

The work hours for the team are between Monday-Friday within the hours of 6:00AM-5:00PM.  This position has a flexible work schedule within these hours.  A hybrid schedule (including in-office and work from home) is also available for this position.  Work schedules may change at any time to accommodate business needs.

The annual base salary range for this position is $99,442.58 - $120,000.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the position of Fire Protection Engineer meets the following criteria:

• Education/degree in a related field

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in fire protection consulting.

• Registered Professional Engineer or other professional designation in Fire protection is a plus.

• Experience with facilities support teams a plus.

• Experience in facilities management and/or installation/construction experience a plus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates for the position of Fire Protection Engineer must meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering (preferably Mechanical, Chemical or Fire Protection)

• Experience in developing building code concepts and equivalencies, conducting building plan reviews, and conducting field reviews/inspections.

• Ability to present clear and technically sound fire protection engineering strategies.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

About Facilities Planning and Management (FPM):

FPM is responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining the breadth of the facilities at USC, and is also dedicated to creating a safe environment for our USC community. Woven into every service, safety is of upmost importance. As FPM, this diverse group of innovative and talented professionals provide high quality facilities construction, operations and maintenance services at USC and serve as dedicated stewards of USC and FPM core values. FPM values employee recognition, accountability, collaboration, respect, and trust. Join us- apply today!

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related education and project management experience with increasing leadership/management responsibility in electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems and/or planning. Demonstrated interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.