Manager, Fire & Life Safety at Barnard College – New York City, New York

Title: Manager, Fire & Life Safety

Location: New York City, NY

Full/Part Time: Full time
Req ID: JR5533

Description:

If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

Job:

Manager, Fire & Life SafetyReporting to the Senior Associate Director, Fire & Life Safety, the Manager of Fire & Life Safety supports the College’s fire and life safety operations through direct response, inspection, compliance monitoring, and training activities. This role performs duties consistent with a Fire Life Safety Director (FLSD) as required by Title 3 – RCNY Chapter 4, Emergency Planning and Preparedness.

This position does not maintain primary responsibility for a specific building, program, or team. Instead, the Manager operates as a licensed, highly skilled individual contributor providing coverage and support across campus. This position will support cross-functional coordination between Facilities trades, life safety personnel, custodial operations, and external vendors to ensure continuity of building services and timely resolution of operational issues.

While there is no standing ownership of a facility, the Manager is expected to assume on-site operational responsibility during emergencies when they are the highest-ranking or most qualified fire and life safety professional present. In such situations, the Manager will carry out Fire Life Safety Director responsibilities in accordance with the building’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) until relieved by the Senior Associate Director, Associate Director, or other designated leader.

This role requires flexibility to support a 24x7x365 operation and may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Job Description:

Duties & Responsibilities

Emergency Response & Incident Support

• Responds to fire alarms, emergency situations, and safety incidents in accordance with the building Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

• Reports to Fire Command Stations as assigned and supports execution of emergency procedures

• Coordinates with FDNY and other first responders, providing building-specific information and operational support

• When serving as the most senior or qualified fire and life safety professional present, assumes temporary on-site command responsibilities, including directing emergency operations, making announcements, and coordinating response efforts

• Transitions command to the Senior Associate Director, Associate Director, or other designated leaders upon their arrival, providing clear and concise situational briefings

Inspections, Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Conducts routine inspections of fire and life safety systems, including fire extinguishers, exit signage, emergency lighting, standpipes, and sprinkler systems

• Identifies hazards and supports corrective actions in partnership with Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety, and Community Safety teams

• Assists in ensuring compliance with NYC Fire Code, FDNY regulations, Department of Buildings requirements, and College policies

• Supports enforcement of fire safety requirements related to occupancy, public assembly, and high-risk environments

Training & Preparedness

• Assists in the coordination and execution of fire drills and evacuation exercises as required by code

• Supports training of Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Searchers, and other emergency roles

• Delivers or supports fire and life safety training for faculty, staff, and students

• Contributes to campus-wide preparedness efforts and a culture of shared safety responsibility

Systems Testing & Operational Support

• Assists in testing Fire Command Stations, Warden Phones, PA systems, elevator recall, and related fire alarm components

• Responds to odor complaints and other safety concerns, working with Facilities and other teams to identify and mitigate risks

• Supports monitoring and troubleshooting of life safety systems in coordination with internal teams and external vendors

Documentation & Administrative Support

• Maintains fire logs, inspection records, drill documentation, and compliance tracking materials

• Prepares reports on inspections, incidents, violations, and corrective actions

• Supports issuance and monitoring of hot work permits and enforcement of fire protection standards

• Maintains accurate electronic records of fire and life safety activities and provides summary reporting as needed

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of NYC FDNY and Department of Buildings regulations

• Ability to respond to and support emergency operations in a calm, structured, and decisive manner

• Strong attention to detail in inspections, compliance tracking, and documentation

• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of campus stakeholders

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work independently while contributing to a coordinated team environment

• Comfort operating in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities and responsibilities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in fire safety, emergency response, or a related environment (higher education, healthcare, laboratory, or commercial setting preferred)

• Must possess, or have the ability to obtain within 2 months of hire:

  • FDNY Certificate of Fitness: F-89 (Fire Life Safety Director) or F-58/F-59 (FSD/EAP Director)

  • Additional Certificates of Fitness as required (F01, F03/04, W07, S12, S13/14)

• Knowledge of fire/life safety systems, inspections, and compliance protocols

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Work Schedule

Typical schedule: Tuesday–Saturday, 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM*
*Work hours may vary based on operational needs. Flexibility is required to support a 24x7 operation.

Salary Range: $74,000 - $79,000 annually

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Company:

Barnard College

Time Type:

Full time

About Us: Barnard is an intellectually stimulating, diverse college community of approximately 800 full- and part-time faculty and staff dedicated to providing an extraordinary educational environment for our 2,600 students.
Whether you are a current or potential Barnard employee, the Office of Human Resources is here to provide you with clear and accurate information and the best possible service. We hope that you find the site useful and will feel free to email any of the HR staff directly with questions or suggestions. We look forward to working with you.