H

Harvard Companies

Runs cleaning and security services for commercial buildings

Fire Life Safety Director

Full-TimeDeadline 10/2/27
$30/hr
Expert
Manhattan, New York, NY, USA
In Person
Security & Protective ServicesSecurity Guarding & Patrol

About the job

Requirements
  • A state- or municipality-mandated security officer license is required.
  • A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent is required.
  • A Fire Safety Director license is required.
  • Knowledge of fire inspection operations and procedures, or the ability to learn them, is required.
  • Reliable means of communication and transportation are required.
  • A security guard license is required, or the ability to obtain one within an acceptable period.
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills are required.
  • The ability to write routine detailed correspondence, including log entries, incident reports, and reporting, is required.
  • The ability to work in a fast-paced customer-service environment is required.
  • Good time-management skills and the ability to prioritize and solve problems are required.
  • Computer skills, including Microsoft Office, are required.
Responsibilities
  • Lead staff and assist customers, employees, visitors, and guests while maintaining a professional demeanor.
  • Maintain a visible presence in the assigned facility or building.
  • Monitor the environment and detect suspicious and unsafe activity.
  • Become familiar with incoming and outgoing traffic and know the customers, tenants, visitors, and guests.
  • Answer phones professionally and make clear, audible announcements.
  • Permit authorized persons to enter the property and monitor entrances and exits.
  • Know and enforce facility or building policies and procedures within the limits of the position.
  • Follow established emergency action planning, procedures, fire protection, and safety standards.
  • Monitor alarms and systems as required.
  • As needed, perform operations-related functions including scheduling, overtime management, reviewing daily logs and incident reports, and staff training and development.
  • Test and inspect fire extinguishers and other fire-protection devices to ensure compliance with fire and safety standards.
  • Discuss violations and unsafe conditions with the site representative.
  • Prepare reports on inspections performed, standards violations, and recommendations for eliminating fire hazards.
  • Maintain records and logs as required by law.
  • Perform firefighting duties during emergencies when called upon.
  • Train others in fire emergency response plans when needed.
  • Assist with fire drills as required.
  • Perform other inspections and safety duties as required.
  • Perform additional security services functions, as permitted under any required Security Officer license and specified for the assigned site, in addition to Fire Inspector duties.
  • Perform duties according to the requirements of the customer location assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Previous experience in contract security, law enforcement, a fire department, the military, or customer service is preferred.

About the company

Harvard Companies runs cleaning, facility maintenance, and security businesses for property owners, institutions, and multi-site customers across the United States. Harvard Maintenance handles janitorial, disinfection, restoration, and specialty cleaning, while Harvard Protection Services supplies security, hospitality, and life-safety staff. Account teams set service standards, train on-site staff, and use inspections, work orders, and performance reviews to measure delivery against agreed service levels at each location. Revenue comes from service contracts and project work across commercial, healthcare, education, life-science, and industrial facilities. Founded in 1961, Harvard Companies is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Miami, FL

Founded

1961

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Client relationships bring repeat work: Harvard's January 2026 case study describes two renewals and expansion to 1.5 million square feet.
  • Cleaners advance into leadership: Harvard describes routes through training, mentoring and both field and corporate roles.
  • Language classes fit different shifts: Harvard's April 2026 partnership brought 32BJ English instruction onsite for day and night workers.

What critics are saying

  • Tenant use affects staffing budgets: Harvard's June 2026 guide links building occupancy to cleaning scope and labor spending.
  • Benefit eligibility varies: Harvard says work status and location determine access to some employee benefits.
  • Onboarding requires English: Harvard Protection Services publishes Spanish job descriptions but supplies onboarding documents only in English.

What makes Harvard Companies unique

  • Ownership remains with the family: Harvard Maintenance is privately held, unlike publicly traded ABM.
  • Supplier certification supports purchasing goals: buyers count up to 100% of Harvard Services Group contract value toward supplier-diversity spending.
  • Frontline staff anchor its management model: Harvard's Inverted Pyramid puts their support first.

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