Ranked as one of the Best Employers in Nebraska, the University of Nebraska Lincoln is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success and satisfaction. We invest in our staff by offering fantastic benefits like vacation, sick, and holiday pay, a variety of insurance options, retirement plans, and numerous others. By joining our team, you will be given opportunities to grow as an individual and contribute to the significant impact that we make within the University of Nebraska community and Nebraska’s economy each year.
Building Systems Maintenance has three levels of Fire Life Safety Technicians, and the level is determined by a candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and applicable licensure.
Fire Life Safety Technician I, II, and III: All Fire Life Safety Technicians assist with the installation, alteration, addition, maintenance, troubleshooting, and/or repair of fire life safety systems, interpret and use schematics and blueprint drawings to complete the installation and troubleshooting of wiring and device termination of fire life safety systems, ensure compliance with regulations such as applicable building, electrical, and fire codes, and university and departmental standards and guidelines, and complete work orders and utilize an electronic timekeeping system daily.
Fire Life Safety Technician II: In addition to the duties and responsibilities above, a level II will work more independently and be given more complex duties such as to project and maintenance support of fire alarm panel device control and manipulation for system troubleshooting and shutdown, test low-voltage electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring and equipment with testing devices to ensure compatibility and functionality of the system, collaborate and coordinate to ensure building code compliance, and perform inspection and acceptance testing of fire alarm systems.
Fire Life Safety Technician III: In conjunction with the duties and responsibilities above, a level III installs and configures fire life safety systems networking communication and alarm monitoring system setup, assists with project development, employee training, and safety coordination, generates activity and outage notifications, coordinates and performs interfacing of auxiliary fire life safety systems, and confirms scope, schedule, and budget requirements of work assignments. A level 3 also communicates and coordinate with outside vendors and manufacturers relative to electrical equipment and systems, coordinates project changes and provide as-built documentation at the completion of the project, trains, mentors, and verifies work of others, contributes to fostering a positive work environment, motivates and encourages staff to improve, supports leadership, and contributes to the development and implementation of departmental vision and goals.
All levels will be assigned to a rotating on-call schedule and urgent situations occasionally require after-hours work.
As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/.
Minimum Required Qualifications
Fire Life Safety Technician I, II and III: High school or equivalent experience. Able to lift 50 lbs. Able to work from a ladder and/or aerial equipment. Available by cell phone to assist with campus emergencies and available for regular rotations on the weekend and after-hours on-call schedule. Must have a valid driver’s license and meet University driver eligibility requirement.
Fire Life Safety Technician I: Ability to comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions. Thinking and reasoning skills. Good communication skills. Thoroughness and attention to detail. Good time management and organizational skills. Familiar with and able to operate tools and machinery and basic computer skills. A level 1 must hold a State of Nebraska Apprentice Electrical License or is able to obtain the license upon employment.
Fire Life Safety Technician II: In addition to the minimum qualifications above, a level 2 must have a minimum of 1 year experience working with fire alarm panel device control and manipulation, knowledge, experience, and ability to operate a variety of tools and machinery, and knowledgeable in and skilled in the processes, procedures, and codes required of the trade. An understanding of building and construction principles, electrical systems, applicable codes, and supporting electrical systems, with a strong understanding of electrical theory and NFPA 70/72 National Electrical and Fire Alarm Code and International Building Code as related to fire life safety systems are essential. Basic computer skills, skilled in operating testing devices for low voltage electrical fire life safety equipment, good analytical thinking and reasoning skills, strong communication skills, thoroughness and high attention to detail, and strong time management and organizational skills are necessary. The ability to research, read, interpret, and work with project blueprints and specifications and a NICET Level II Certification or higher or a State of Nebraska Fire Alarm Inspector License is required. Individuals who hold a NICET certification but do not currently hold the State of Nebraska Fire Alarm Inspector License must be able to obtain the license within six months of employment.
Fire Life Safety Technician III: In conjunction with the minimum qualifications above, a level 3 must have a minimum of 2 years experience working with fire alarm panel device control and manipulation, experience using alarm monitoring software to initiate account setup and perform data entry, and experience interfacing auxiliary fire life safety systems. A level 3 must be knowledgeable of operational building, electrical, and fire codes, proficient in electrical theory and NFPA 70/72 National Electrical and Fire Alarm Code, International Building Code as related to fire life safety systems, and in fire alarm panel network configuration, with a strong understanding of building and construction principles, electrical systems, applicable codes, and supporting electrical systems. Additionally, a level 3 must have the ability to comprehend and follow complex and technical information and manage multiple projects simultaneously, possess strong analytical thinking and reasoning skills, intermediate computer skills, excellent communication skills, and strong time management, documentation, and organizational skills. A NICET Level II Certification or higher or a State of Nebraska Fire Alarm Inspector License and either a State of Nebraska Journeyman Electrical License or State of Nebraska Fire Alarm Installer License are required. Individuals who hold a NICET certification but do not currently hold the State of Nebraska Fire Alarm Inspector License must be able to obtain the license within six months of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
Fire Life Safety Technician I, II and III: Associate degree in Electronic Service Technology, Electronic Technology, other related field of study, or equivalent experience, a Notifier certification, and/or proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
Fire Life Safety Technician I: In addition to the preferred qualifications above, a level 1 is preferred to have 6 or more months experience assisting with the installation, alteration, addition, maintenance, troubleshooting, and/or repair of fire life safety systems, basic computer skills, familiar with a CMMS and/or EMCS, and/or knowledge of or experience with building and fire codes.
Fire Life Safety Technician II: In conjunction with the preferred qualifications above, a level 2 is preferred to have 2 or more years servicing fire alarm systems, and 6 months or more experience using MicroKey alarm monitoring software, IPDact network configuration, and/or using AutoCAD, and experience with Fire alarm estimating, and/or a State of Nebraska Journeyman Electrical License or State of Nebraska Fire Alarm Installer License. Intermediate computer skills, completed all UNL and BSM required training courses, proficient using an EMCS and/or a CMMS, and/or knowledge of operational building and fire codes are preferred.
Fire Life Safety Technician III: In conjunction with the preferred qualifications above, a level 3 is preferred to have 4 or more years servicing fire alarm systems, and 1 year or more experience using MicroKey alarm monitoring software, IPDact network configuration, and/or using AutoCAD, and experience with fire alarm estimating.
