Fire Protection Program Manager (IL/WI Market)

Advocate Health Care; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care seeks a Fire Protection Program Manager to lead enterprise fire protection programs across IL/WI facilities. This full-time role requires expertise in fire protection engineering, compliance with NFPA codes, CMS rules, and collaboration with BIM and construction teams.

Ideal candidates will have 10+ years in fire protection engineering, healthcare experience, PE license, and CHFM certification within one year. Travel up to 35% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with Fire Protection focus; ABET-accredited.
• MBE/LEED or equivalent credentials are a plus.
• Requires PE license in Fire Protection Engineering and CHFM within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements enterprise-wide fire protection programs.
• Consults on local, state, and federal fire and life safety codes.
• Performs surveys and assessments across healthcare facilities.
• Collaborates with BIM to reflect life safety changes.
• Develops fire safety strategies for healthcare environments.
• Reviews CMS equivalencies and waivers for compliance.

Skills

Fire protection systems

Healthcare codes

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Documentation

Inspection planning

Training & education

Education

ABET-accredited degree

Master’s in Fire Protection (preferred)

Tools

BlueBeam

MS Office

CMMS

Job description

It's More Than a Job, It's a Calling!

Position: Fire Protection Program Manager

Location: Will support the IL/WI enterprise market

Full Time; 1st Shift

Major Responsibilities:

• Program Development and Implementation: Serves as the enterprise authority on fire protection engineering. Develops, implements, and monitors enterprise-wide programs that drive value in the organization.
• Fire and Life Safety Code Consulting: Provides expert consulting on local, state and federal fire and life safety codes, including relevant ICC codes and NFPA standards, ensuring compliance and safety across Advocate Health facilities.
• Surveys and Assessments: Performs fire protection and/or life safety related surveys in a variety of buildings such as hospitals, high-rises, freestanding emergency departments and medical office buildings to identify potential risks and areas for improvement. Prepares detailed technical reports based on survey findings.
• Partnering with BIM: Collaborate with the Building Information Modeling (BIM) team to ensure that life safety code drawings are accurately updated to reflect any changes needed from inspections and assessments.
• Fire Safety Strategies: Develops and implements fire safety strategies for special hazards, tailored to the unique needs of healthcare environments.
• Regulatory Compliance and CMS Equivalency Review: Conducts comprehensive reviews of CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) equivalencies and waivers related to fire protection and building construction across the enterprise. Includes Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) analysis to ensure compliance and optimize safety strategies.
• Fire Protection Systems: Utilizes working knowledge of active fire protection systems, including selection, design, installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Education and Training: Facilitates continuing education and training opportunities for teammates to enhance their skills in fire and life safety.
• Incident Investigation: Investigate fire incidents and recommend improvements to prevent future occurrences, enhancing overall safety. In compliance with Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements, ensures timely reporting of incidents.
• Collaboration on Projects: Collaborate with architects, engineers, and construction teams on new healthcare facility projects and renovations to integrate fire protection measures from the design phase through completion.
• Insurance Risk Mitigation Collaboration: Partners with the organization’s insurance carrier to review and implement recommendations aimed at reducing Maximum Foreseeable Loss (MFL). Develops and integrates risk mitigation strategies into facility operations and capital projects to enhance fire protection and resilience.
• Committee Participation: Co-chairs and/or participates in the Enterprise Regulatory and Safety Council. Participates in other councils and committees as needed.
• Participates in departments initiatives.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Fire Protection Engineering.
• Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), or other related industry certifications required within 1 year of hire.
• Other related industry certifications required within 1 year of hire.

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering preferably from an ABET accredited program, a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Master’s in Fire Protection, OR equivalent ABET accredited degree.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in fire protection engineering, with at least 5 years in a healthcare setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• In-depth knowledge of fire protection systems and technologies.
• Familiarity required with healthcare-specific fire safety codes and standards (e.g., CMS, TJC, NFPA 101, NFPA 99).
• Solid understanding of relevant software including BlueBeam, Microsoft Office Suite, and facilities Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information in a clear and understandable manner to diverse audiences
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and cultivate strong internal and external relationships.
• Detail-oriented, demonstrated organizational and time management skills, and ability to manage/prioritize, track, and complete tasks/projects within established deadlines.
• Ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems
• Committed to customer service, timely response, collaboration, cooperative professional relationships, and diversity.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

• Ability to conduct site inspections, which may include climbing ladders and accessing spaces such as mechanical rooms, hot locations, both inside and outside of facilities.
• Work involves exposure to construction sites and operational healthcare facilities.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 35% of the time as dictated by business needs.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Preferred Job Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Fire Protection or related field.

Experience Required:

• Current or previous experience as a member of the National Fire Protection (NFPA) committees relevant to health care facilities such as the NFPA 101 Technical Committee.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Active membership in a recognized professional organization such as the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) or equivalent, demonstrating ongoing commitment to professional development and staying current with industry standards and practices.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.