The Department of Housing & Residence Life is accepting applications for its Access Control & Fire Safety Specialist position. The Access Control & Fire Life Safety Specialist is a highly skilled technical professional responsible for the installation, maintenance, repair, inspection, and operational management of all mechanical and electronic locking systems, access control infrastructure, and fire and life safety equipment across residential facilities.
This role is essential to ensuring campus safety, regulatory compliance, secure access control, and life safety readiness within Housing & Residence Life. The Specialist supports institutional compliance with NFPA Life Safety Codes, state and local fire regulations, and industry best practices, ensuring a safe, secure, and code-compliant living environment for students, staff, and visitors.
The Specialist provides comprehensive locksmithing and access control services to maintain secure, reliable, and compliant entry systems.
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Install, maintain, and repair locks, cores, cylinders, door closers, panic hardware, exit devices, hinges, and door hardware assemblies.
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Manage master key systems including keying hierarchies, restricted keyways, and security protocols.
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Perform rekeying, lock changes, and hardware replacements for occupancy transitions, security incidents, and operational needs.
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Maintain accurate key inventory, tracking logs, and documentation systems.
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Administer, program, and troubleshoot electronic access control systems, including card readers, credentials, schedules, and permissions.
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Evaluate, recommend, and implement upgrades to locking systems to meet evolving security standards and ADA requirements.
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Conduct door and hardware assessments to ensure proper function, alignment, and compliance with fire-rated door standards.
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Provide technical guidance to staff regarding proper use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of locking systems.
Fire & Life Safety Systems
The Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining fire and life safety readiness across residential facilities.
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Inspect, test, and support maintenance of:
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Pull stations
- Exit signage and emergency lighting
- Fire alarm panels and notification devices
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Assist with fire alarm testing, annual inspections, and compliance audits.
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Conduct inspections of egress paths, stairwells, fire-rated doors, and emergency exits.
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Ensure compliance with:
- NFPA 101 — Life Safety Code
- NFPA 80 — Fire Doors and Opening Protectives
- NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
- Local and state fire codes
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Document deficiencies, generate corrective action reports, and coordinate repairs with Facilities, EHS, and contractors.
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Support fire drill coordination, evacuation readiness, and life safety education efforts.
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Maintain detailed inspection records for regulatory and audit purposes.
Safety & Security Oversight
The Specialist contributes to the overall safety and security of residential communities.
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Conduct routine facility inspections to identify safety hazards, security risks, and compliance issues.
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Investigate lock failures, unauthorized access, tampering, and security incidents.
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Recommend improvements to access control policies, hardware standards, and security infrastructure.
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Support development and implementation of housing safety protocols and emergency procedures.
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Provide technical expertise during safety assessments, risk evaluations, and incident reviews.
Work Orders & Maintenance Operations
The Specialist ensures timely and accurate completion of maintenance tasks related to access control and life safety.
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Respond to service requests related to locks, doors, access control, and safety systems.
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Prioritize emergency, high-risk, and time-sensitive issues.
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Maintain accurate records in the work order management system, including labor, materials, and resolution notes.
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Coordinate repairs and inspections with Facilities Management, Environmental Health & Safety, and external vendors.
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Assist with planning and scheduling preventive maintenance cycles for locking and life safety systems.
Key Control & Documentation
The Specialist enforces strict key control and documentation standards to maintain security integrity.
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Enforce key control policies, restricted access protocols, and accountability procedures.
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Maintain logs for:
- Key issuance and returns
- Lock changes and rekeying
- Access permissions and credential management
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Conduct periodic audits of keys, cores, access systems, and storage areas.
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Maintain secure storage of keys, cores, and sensitive hardware.
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Support investigations related to lost keys, unauthorized access, or compromised hardware.
Emergency Response
The Specialist plays a vital role in emergency and after-hours response.
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Respond to lockouts, security breaches, urgent access issues, and malfunctioning life safety equipment.
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Assist during emergencies such as evacuations, fire alarms, and building lockdowns.
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Coordinate with Campus Police, EHS, and emergency personnel as needed.
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Provide technical support during crisis response, after-hours incidents, and urgent safety concerns.
Collaboration & Campus Partnerships
The Specialist works closely with multiple campus partners to support safety and operational continuity.
- Housing & Residence Life
- Facilities Management
- Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
- Public Safety
- External contractors and vendors
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Provide technical expertise on locks, hardware, access control, and life safety systems.
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Participate in safety committees, inspections, and cross-departmental initiatives.
Inventory, Tools & Equipment Management
The Specialist ensures proper management of tools, hardware, and supplies.
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Maintain locksmith tools, diagnostic equipment, and safety gear.
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Manage inventory of locks, cores, hardware, access control components, and life safety supplies.
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Ensure proper use, calibration, and safe handling of all equipment.
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Assist with procurement of parts, materials, and replacement components.
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Maintain organized storage areas and secure handling of sensitive hardware.
Work Environment
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Work is performed across multiple residential buildings, mechanical rooms, stairwells, exterior entrances, and campus facilities.
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Frequent exposure to active construction areas, mechanical spaces, and environments requiring heightened situational awareness.
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Regular work around electrical systems, fire alarm equipment, door hardware, and specialized tools.
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Exposure to noise, dust, heat, cold, and varying environmental conditions depending on building age and location.
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Work may involve entering tight spaces, attics, crawl areas, or equipment rooms to access hardware, or wiring.
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Requires adherence to strict safety protocols, PPE requirements, and compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.
Schedule & Hours
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Full-time, on-site position with a standard Monday—Friday schedule.
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Due to the nature of safety and access control operations, the role requires:
- Periodic evening and weekend work for emergencies, lockouts, fire alarm issues, or urgent safety concerns.
- On-call or rapid-response availability during certain operational periods.
- Flexibility during peak housing operations such as move-in, move-out, building openings, and major facility transitions.
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Emergency response may require immediate availability to address lock failures, compromised access points, or life safety equipment issues.
Physical Requirements
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Frequent walking across campus, including between buildings and across large residential complexes.
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Regular bending, kneeling, climbing ladders, reaching overhead, and working in awkward or confined positions.
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Ability to lift, carry, and transport tools, hardware, and equipment up to 40-50 lbs.
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Manual dexterity required for handling small components, lock cores, wiring, and precision tools.
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Ability to operate power tools, diagnostic devices, and specialized locksmithing equipment safely.
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Must be able to visually inspect hardware, read small print on equipment, and identify mechanical or electrical issues.
Safety & Risk Exposure
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Work involves exposure to:
- Electrical systems
- Fire alarm panels and circuits
- Heavy doors and mechanical hardware
- Potentially hazardous materials (e.g., dust, lubricants, adhesives)
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Requires strict adherence to OSHA, NFPA, and institutional safety protocols.
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Must use PPE such as gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and respirators when required.
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Work may involve responding to active alarms, evacuations, or security incidents.
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Must maintain situational awareness to avoid injury when working around moving doors, energized systems, or emergency equipment.
Pace & Workload Expectations
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Work occurs in a fast-paced, high-demand environment with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities.
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Requires the ability to:
- Respond quickly to urgent safety issues or lock failures.
- Manage multiple work orders simultaneously.
- Prioritize emergency and high-risk situations.
- Maintain accuracy and compliance under time pressure.
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The role requires independent judgment, technical troubleshooting, and rapid problem-solving.
Technology & Equipment Use
- Electronic access control software
- Key tracking systems o Fire alarm interfaces
- Diagnostic tools
- Power tools and hand tools
- Mobile devices and work order systems
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Must be comfortable learning new systems and adapting to evolving technology standards.
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Requires accurate documentation in digital platforms and maintenance systems.
Mental & Cognitive Demands
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High attention to detail, precision, and accuracy in all work.
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Ability to interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, hardware specifications, and code requirements.
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Strong problem-solving skills to diagnose mechanical, electrical, or access control issues.
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Ability to remain calm and focused during emergencies, alarms, or high-pressure situations.
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Must maintain confidentiality regarding access permissions, master key systems, and security protocols.
Interpersonal & Communication Demands
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Regular interaction with students, staff, housing personnel, campus police, contractors, and safety officials.
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Requires clear, professional communication when explaining repairs, safety issues, or access procedures.
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Must be able to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
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Requires diplomacy and professionalism when responding to lockouts, security concerns, or sensitive incidents.
Decision-Making & Autonomy
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The role requires independent decision-making regarding:
- Emergency lock repairs
- Safety hazards
- Access control failures
- Fire life safety deficiencies
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Must know when to escalate issues to Facilities, EHS, Campus Police, or the Executive Director.
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Expected to identify risks, propose solutions, and implement corrective actions without constant supervision.
Emergency & Crisis Response
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Work may involve responding to:
- Lockouts
- Security breaches
- Fire alarms
- Evacuations
- Access control failures
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Must be able to respond quickly, assess the situation, and take appropriate action.
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May assist with after-hours emergencies or urgent safety concerns.
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Must coordinate with Campus Police, EHS, and emergency responders as needed.
