Fire Alarm & Security Systems Technician

Union College (NY); City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 41,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation and holidays

Tuition exchange

On-campus fitness facility access

Job summary

Union College in Schenectady, NY seeks a Fire Alarm & Security Systems Technician to operate, maintain, repair, and test life-safety and security systems campus-wide. This in-person role requires strong technical skills and the ability to respond to emergencies, with 40 hours per week and a 7:30 am–4:30 pm shift.

Responsibilities include installation, maintenance, project coordination with contractors, and testing in accordance with NFPA and OSH standards, with a focus on campus safety and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or two-year technical trade school or apprenticeship with 2–5 years’ experience in fire alarm or security system maintenance.
• Valid NYS driver’s license with clean record.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use test equipment including volt/ohm meter, amp meter, and circuit tracer.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, and Adobe).
• Understand and apply National Electrical Code, NFPA and OSHA standards.
• Willingness to lift 25–50 lbs, climb ladders, and work outdoors when needed.
• NICET certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operations: handle campus work requests, assist in emergencies, coordinate fire alarm and security system improvements.
• Maintenance: inspect and maintain equipment, perform preventive maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Projects: plan with drawings, oversee contractor work for fire alarm and access control systems.
• Trouble-Shooting: diagnose faults using diagrams and panel displays, read one-line diagrams.
• Inspecting and Testing: schedule and perform code-compliant tests and document results in CMMS.

Skills

Good communication

Driver's license

Test equipment

MS Office

Education

High school diploma or technical trade

Two-year tech trade school/apprentice

NICET certification

Tools

Notifier/LenelS2 systems

Job description

The Fire Alarm & Security Systems Technician will operate,maintain, repair, and test low voltage life-safety and securitysystems equipment for all College-owned residential, commercial,and industrial applications. The technician will ensure a safe andcode compliant environment for the faculty, staff, andstudents.

Fire Alarm & Security Systems Technician

Work Days:

Monday through Friday

Shift Start/End Time:

7:30 am-4:30 pm

Hours Per Week:

40

Weeks Per Year:

52

Pay Status and Classification:

Non-exempt, RegularFull-time. This position is not eligible for relocation assistanceor visa sponsorship.

Work Location:

This position is an in-person role and is noteligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Supervisor:

Electrical Supervisor

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Operations: Meet the needs of the campus community byperforming work requests, responding to assist in emergencysituations, as well as working with various departments in order toachieve common goals. Duties include: Fire alarm (notifier system)- Replacement of heat and smoke detectors, monitor modules,notification appliances, and battery back-up systems, andcoordination of projects to enhance the campus systems. Security -Monitoring camera performance, checking alarms, and makingrecommendations for improvements.
• Maintenance: Inspect and maintain functionality ofequipment and systems, including service access controls systems,electronic card readers, intrusion detectors, video surveillanceequipment, road gates and code blue phones. Conductsmonthly/quarterly/annual preventive maintenance in order tominimize equipment downtime.
• Projects: Plan and lay out work accordingly withknowledge and understanding of electronic blue prints. Collaboratewith team members on finding the best approach while leading to setan example. Oversee project oriented jobs with contractors for bothfire alarm and security systems, as well as ensuring that allinstalled access control equipment meets ADA guidelines, local andlife safety codes, and works with vendors to ensurecompliance.
• Trouble-Shooting: Identify and find solutions, whencircumstances arise, in order to maintain the campus facilities.Must have the ability to read and interpret one-line diagrams,diagnose ground faults, signal failures, and broken devices, aswell as have the capacity to grow and develop skills throughhands-on training. Utilize fire alarm panel displays, annunciators,and work stations in order to understand problems as theyarise.
• Inspecting and Testing: Schedule and conduct routinecode-compliant tests of addressable fire alarm control panels,smoke detectors, pull stations, notification appliances, andsprinkler monitoring systems, as well as providing documentationand record keeping into a Computer Maintenance Management System(CMMS). Work with outside vendors to assist with system troublesand upgrades.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma, two-year technical trade school, orapprentice program with two to five years’ experience inresidential, commercial, and industrial fire alarm or securitysystem maintenance. A combination of relevant education, training,certifications, and/or work experience will be considered.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License with a clean drivingrecord.
• Must have good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to use test equipment including avolt/ohm meter, amp meter, and circuit tracer.
• Computer skills including (Word, Excel, and Adobe).
• Understand and apply the National Electrical Code, NFPA, andOSHA standards for electrical and work safety procedures.
• Must have the ability to lift (25-50bs), climb ladders, bend,kneel, crawl, and work outdoors when needed.
• Available for round-the-clock emergency response forCollege-owned properties. May be required to work holidays, nightsand weekends.
• Must have the desire to learn and evolve with systems throughtraining, both in person and online, and create dynamic solutionsfor the campus infrastructure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient with major addressable systems such as Notifier,LenelS2, or other fire alarm or security systems.
• Certifications: NICET (National Institute for Certification inEngineering Technologies).
• Experience in an educational, hospital, or other commercialenvironment.

Compensation:

The hourly range for this position is $30.00-32.00 per hour. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of thefinalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety offactors, including but not limited to departmental budgets,qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, andtraining. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’sgood faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possiblecompensation at the time of posting.

Location:

Schenectady, NY

We know some job seekers may not apply for career opportunitiesunless they meet every qualification in the position descriptionincluding the preferred qualifications. We are most interested inhiring the best staff and faculty colleagues, and recognize that asuccessful candidate may come from a less traditional career path.We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet everyone of our preferred qualifications.

We offer exceptional benefits including:

• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
• Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays (in accordancewith policy)
• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and VisionInsurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts forOn-Campus Wellness Programs
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Exchange

Background Checks:

In accordance with our background check policy , finalists for hire will undergo abackground check that includes education, employment, and criminalconvictions.

E-Verify Participation:

Union College participates inE-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9information to confirm that you are authorized to work in theUnited States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).