Life Safety Technician

Department :

Bldg Svcs-LSAC-LS Systems-245302

Career Area :

Facilities and Skilled Trades

Is this an internal only recruitment? :

No

Posting Open Date : 06 / 05 / 2024

Application Deadline :

12 / 09 / 2025

Position Type :

Permanent Staff (SHRA)

Position Title :

Electronics Specialist - Journey

Salary Grade Equivalent :

NC09 / GN09

Working Title :

Life Safety Technician

Position Number :

00035251, 00052172, 00052171, 00035827, 00033492

Vacancy ID : P019181

Full-time / Part-time Permanent / Time-Limited :

Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week : 40

Work Schedule :

Monday – Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. – 4 : 30 p.m.

Work Location : Chapel Hill, NC

Position Location : North Carolina, US

Hiring Range : $52,549 - $74,585

Pay Band Information :

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet .

Be a Tar Heel! :

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work / life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit :

Building Services provide full maintenance and repair services for all UNC facilities and ensure the proper operation of those facilities in support of the UNC mission of teaching, research and public service. Building Services supports more than 400 campus buildings with approximately 18 million gross square feet of space. The teams that provide quality maintenance, repair and construction services that support the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University include Campus Maintenance, EMCS, Facilities Operations Support, Housing Support, HVAC Systems, and Life Safety Services. The Life Safety Services section is a specialized unit within the Building Services Division of Facilities Services. This section is comprised of the Life Safety / Electronic-Specialty Shop, the Access Control / Key Shop, and the Emergency Generator Shop. This organizational unit delivers a high level of maintenance and support to safeguard human life, property, research, and other critical areas of significant financial and time investments for the entire University campus community including : all residence halls, classrooms facilities, research lab facilities, athletics facilities, medical school facilities, and offices facilities. These areas include but are not limited to : the Central Alarm Receiving System (CARS), all fire alarm detection and suppression systems, security and CCTV systems, key control, accessibility controllers, Biometric and Card Access, equipment alarm systems, and backup power emergency generators. Additionally, this unit supports all facets of Facilities Services, Energy Services, Environment Health & Safety, Public Safety, Facilities Planning & Construction, and Residential Student Housing in their efforts to support the campus community, all of which contribute to the University’s mission of teaching, research and public service.

Position Summary :

A SIGN-ON BONUS OF $4,919 IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE :

$2,459.50 WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE & $2,459.50 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.

This recruitment is for five (5) Electronics Specialist – Journey positions (00035251, 00052172, 00052171, 00035827, 00033492 ) . By applying, you will be considered for all five (5) positions.

Serves as a team member of the Life Safety / Electronics-Specialty Shop and supports the mission in the section’s daily functions and responsibilities, which include but are not limited to performing routine and preventive maintenance (PM) inspections on Life Safety, Fire Detection and Suppression systems, Security, CCTV, Equipment Monitoring Systems, and other miscellaneous electronic systems and subsystems. Also installs and / or makes modifications to Life Safety, fire detection and suppression systems, Card Access, Security, CCTV, and Equipment Monitoring Systems.

Performs PMs and repairs on Life Safety systems in accordance with manufacturer specifications, NFPA12A, NFPA25, NFPA72 and the International Fire Code. Obtains and maintains licensure to legally perform inspections of these systems by the N.C. State Board of Examiners, which also requires additional National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) certifications. Specific Life Safety system manufacturer certifications must also be obtained and maintained to perform any repairs or system modifications. The section currently maintains five different manufacturer system certifications.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements :

Associate’s degree in electronics; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience :

In-depth training in electronic technology theory and the ability to apply such in a troubleshooting and repair application, not restricted to the system and subsystem level, but further into the circuit board component level. In-depth knowledge of various computer operating systems and programs to perform routine maintenance on all micro-processor based systems to achieve problem resolution. Ability to use laptop computers for system diagnostic interrogations, troubleshooting, programming; and the ability to configure different system peripheral printers for extraction of required system histories and sensitivity report generations.

In-depth knowledge of NFPA, NEC, NCBC, NCDOI, NC SCO, IFC and ADA codes, rules, and regulations to perform installations and upgrades of systems supported. Ability to use laptop computers and various computer operating systems and programs to perform system programming on all micro-processor based systems. Ability to apply specialized programming of security systems and equipment alarm systems, to ensure system integrity and individual customer / departmental application needs are met. Ability to train end users on the proper utilization and operation of installed systems. Ability to interact directly and professionally with a diverse customer base.

Recent experience in the Fire Alarm industry, and in-depth knowledge of and experience in programming, service, and repair of Fire Detection and Suppression systems including sprinkler (wet and dry), pre-action and deluge systems, standpipe, fire pumps, and chemical suppression systems, Security, CCTV, Card Access systems, and Proprietary Central Alarm Receiving Stations. In-depth knowledge of, experience with and application of various codes and standards, including but not limited to NFPA13, 14, 20, 25, 70, 72, Life Safety 101, NC Dept. of Insurance requirements for Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, NC Dept. of Insurance requirements for Fire Sprinkler Systems, and ADA requirements.

Ability to provide support for Bio-Safety Level (BSL) 2+ and 3 labs, which requires a baseline blood draw and a physical. Entry into hot labs, with an Environment Health & Safety escort, required. Ability to wear respiratory protection, receive annual medical certification, and be fit tested and trained.

Ability to serve as a mandatory employee and report to work in support of essential (mandatory) University operations, even when adverse weather or other emergency conditions may require the University to close.

Required Licenses / Certifications : Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, & Fire Sprinkler Contractors; and Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, & Fire Sprinkler Contractors. NICET Level II certifications in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems and Fire Alarm Systems.

Individuals not holding a NICET Level II Certification for Inspection and Testing of Water-based Systems, Limited Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners and a Limited Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners are required to gain licenses and certification within three (3) years of employment, as a condition of continued employment. Individuals not holding NICET Level II Certification for Fire Alarm Systems are required to gain certification within four (4) years.

NC Driver’s License or ability to obtain one prior to start date.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience :

Progressive experience in the Fire Alarm industry. Factory certification by at least two (2) major fire alarms manufacturers in programming and operations of their systems. Experience in the review of various phases of building design in reference to life safety systems. Experience in conducting system operational testing, inspections, and commissioning, in all aspects of Life Safety Systems. Experience working with state agencies, such as : NCDOI, NCDOL, and NC SCO. Experience in prioritizing, scheduling, assigning, and managing work load, including service orders, preventive maintenance programs, emergency requests and backlog. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Required Licenses / Certifications :

Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, & Fire Sprinkler Contractors; and Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, & Fire Sprinkler Contractors. NICET Level II certifications in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems and Fire Alarm Systems.

Individuals not holding a NICET Level II Certification for Inspection and Testing of Water-based Systems, Limited Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners and a Limited Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License by the NC State Board of Examiners are required to gain licenses and certification within three (3) years of employment, as a condition of continued employment. Individuals not holding NICET Level II Certification for Fire Alarm Systems are required to gain certification within four (4) years.

Special Physical / Mental Requirements :

Ability to stand for long periods of time, work from lifts, climb ladders and / or work from scaffolding at least 10 ft. high, crawl under buildings, enter manholes and / or work in confined spaces, stoop, squat, and ability to move objects weighing 40 lb. or more overhead with or without reasonable accommodation.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities :

Not Applicable.

Position / Schedule Requirements :

Evening work occasionally, Exposure to Hazardous Materials, Night work occasionally, On-call occasionally, Overtime occasionally, Valid NC Driver’s License, Weekend work occasionally

Special Instructions :

• ELIGIBILITY FOR SIGN-ON BONUS

The selected candidate for this position may be eligible for a sign-on bonus. Qualified applicants must apply and be selected from the candidate pool of this posting and meet the State policy following requirements :

To be eligible for a Sign-on bonus, an individual must not have worked in a probationary, permanent, or time-limited appointment in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including but not limited to the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system in a position subject to the State Human Resources Act.

A newly hired permanent full time or permanent part-time (more than 20 hours a week) employee are eligible for a sign-on bonus (this will be prorated for employees working more than 20 hours and less than 40 hours per week).

This SHRA Sign-on Bonus is contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. All recipients must sign the Pay Back Agreement form. Additional information regarding the SHRA Sign-on Policy can be found https : / / oshr.nc.gov / policies / sign-and-retention-bonus-policy .

This recruitment is for five (5) Electronics Specialist – Journey positions (00035251, 00052172, 00052171, 00035827, 00033492 ) . By applying, you will be considered for all five (5) positions.