Fire Alarms Fire Life Safety Systems Technician

Join the Facilities Operations and Maintenance team, a highly responsive and knowledgeable crew providing outstanding service for Facilities Services and to the university community.

Maintenance Operations, a branch of the Facilities Operations and Maintenance Division, provides comprehensive maintenance services in support of the University’s operations.

Our teams provide a comprehensive array of qualified services, backed by our licensed and certified technicians, to this end, we offer opportunities for continuing education, as well as various stipends for additional trade licenses. Our team of trained trade experts are well-matched for the university’s operational and maintenance needs, whether the facility is a brand new laboratory or our iconic Tower.

Our goal is to self-identify operations and maintenance issues long before our clients realize a repair is needed and take a thoughtful approach to using their resources, structuring processes, and providing the best client service and use of university resources. This goal comes from our sense of ownership and pride in our work.

With this approach in mind, the team is organized into a zone-based structure and employs flexible work hours, data analysis, and technology to meet operational goals.

Your skills will make a difference.

You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will contribute to operational excellence and enhance the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities.
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
• For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

For more information on the Maintenance Operations group, please visit: Visit the Facilities Operations and Maintenance Website

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employee without sponsorship.

Security sensitive; Criminal background check conducted on selected applicant. Hiring decision is contingent on applicant clearing check. This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code §51.215. Applications will be reviewed online by the hiring department. 40 hours a week, five 8-hour days, or possibly four 10-hour days with schedule to be determined with supervisor. Some overtime, evenings, weekends, and holidays possible.

Purpose

To provide journey level work associated with fire-life-safety equipment, systems, and/or to their components.

Responsibilities

• Performs both routine and preventative maintenance on fire alarm systems. Performs fire alarm system inspections. Assist with fire sprinkler inspections when required. Performs repair, replacement, upgrade and remodel of fire alarm systems. Assists with new fire alarm system commissioning.
• Provides timely and courteous customer service, keeps supervisors and team members up to date on daily work order status to ensure clear, concise and necessary communication channels are maintained and customer expectations are met. Assist other shops and team members in the accomplishment of shop goals related to key performance indicators.
• Complete paperwork accurately and on a timely basis. Provide equipment information for UT Works updates. Keep accurate and up to date documentation of all systems.
• Train others within shop. Possess and use leadership skills to advance the shop towards its goals,
• Keep up to date on all code changes, testing procedures and product knowledge. Read and interpret drawings and technical manuals. Perform work from both written and verbal instructions and in accordance with established safety procedures.
• Support outages, coordinate and work with contractors and other entities and respond and give guidance to emergency personnel. Performs follow-up investigations to assure the proper operation of fire safety systems during actual fires.
• Generates material lists and acquires materials for efficient work. Keeps accurate records of materials used and maintains daily time reports to efficiently complete work and document details of the functions performed. Keep accurate and up to date documentation of all systems.
• Performs organizing and cleaning tasks to keep work areas safe and efficient. Cleans and keeps electronic equipment and rooms organized. Participates in the On-Call Program.

Required Qualifications

High school graduation or GED. Four years of experience in journey level installation/repair/maintenance/operation of fire alarm with electronic background/ fire sprinkler equipment. NICET Level II certification. Valid Commercial State Fire Alarm License required. 

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Associate's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience. More than four years of the described experience. Experience at the University of Texas or in a university setting. Demonstrated excellent communication skills. Computer experience. Experience with computerized service request system. Demonstrated excellent customer service skills. Proven ability to work with a team of multi-crafted trades people. Graduated from a leadership program. Ability to multi-task. NICET Level III or above certification in fire alarm/ fire sprinkler. Successful completion of the Facilities Services' Leader Development program.

Salary Range

$52,255 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Environmental Demands:

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)
• May work in all weather conditions
• May work in extreme temperatures
• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around biohazards
• May work around chemicals
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards

Physical Tasks:

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs
• Climbing of ladders
• Lifting and moving

Additional Working Conditions:

• This position and associated job duties have been designated as essential during extraordinary and emergency situations when the university is closed. Essential personnel must maintain contact with their supervisor and report to work as regularly scheduled unless directed otherwise.
• Required to operate an electronic device such as an iPhone, iPad, or laptop/desktop computer to perform and fulfill time reporting and work management requirements. Work management requirements include receiving work assignments, updating work orders, and other functions as required.
• May be required to work in confined spaces, manholes, tunnels, elevated work, extended shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• May be exposed to loud noise, high dust and allergen levels.
• May be required to lift up to 50lbs. Often required to twist, grasp, push, pull and bend.
• May be required to operate job related equipment.
• May require tuberculosis screening and occasional use of a respirator.
• May drive University vehicles. If driving University vehicles, must maintain acceptable driver rating as established in Policy: UTS157 Section 2.5.4.
• Participate in on-call program.

Work Shift

• 40 hours a week, five 8-hour days, or possibly four 10-hour days with schedule to be determined with supervisor. Some overtime, evenings, weekends, and holidays possible.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.