Fire, Safety, and Health Building Inspector

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

The University of Michigan is seeking a Building Inspector to perform routine visual inspections of 5.4 million GSF of Student Life Facilities residential assets, including apartments and residence halls. The role ensures cleanliness, code compliance, and safety, serving as a point of contact for residents and vendors.

Responsibilities include leading fire inspection programs, coordinating with EHS, and documenting findings across multiple databases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with experience in facilities/inspection.
• Minimum 5 years in facilities, building or fire inspection roles.
• Knowledge of fire life safety codes and building codes.

Responsibilities

• Lead 50% of annual fire inspections in Residential Halls; manage repairs and follow-ups.
• Perform health and safety inspections and coordinate with EHS.
• Document condition, manage data entries in databases and generate reports.
• Develop SOPs and ensure compliance with university codes and policies.

Skills

Verbal & written comms

Customer service

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent + certifications

Residential Building Inspector certification (ICC)

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (NRPA)

Tools

AIM database

Advocate system

Job description

• Residential Building Inspector certification (International Code Council)

Department Summary

Student Life Facilities partners with Michigan Housing, Michigan Dining, University Unions, and other units within Student Life to provide exceptional facilities that greatly enhance residential, recreational and learning experiences for students at the University of Michigan. We operate, maintain, repair, and plan for the recapitalization of 3 University Union buildings, 9 Dining Facilities, 19 distinct residential communities, and 1580 apartments that house approximately 9,200 undergraduates and 2,400 graduate students.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for regular visual inspections of 5.4 million GSF of Student Life Facilities residential stock, including apartments, residence halls, and other living areas. The building inspector engages in activities to ensure good building condition, appropriate levels of cleanliness, compliance and understanding of building codes related to fire, life safety and compliance with policies and regulations. This position identifies adverse health and safety conditions and directs appropriate remedies. This position also identifies maintenance and systems issues that require repair or other corrective actions.

This Position Requires Technical Knowledge And Strong Customer Service Skills. The Building Inspector Provides Excellent Customer Service And Serves As An Ambassador To Customers, Residents And Vendors To Prevent And Resolve Issues, Complaints And Problems. This Position Is Responsible For Populating Several Databases. In Addition, This Position Performs The Following:

• Ensures building material condition and cleanliness are in compliance with University policies and regulations and records condition into the appropriate database for both record keeping and follow up action.
• Manages Formal Fire Inspection Program across the Residential Halls and Apartments, including Vent Hood Cleaning and Ansul Inspections

3 Manages Community Risk Reduction Program

• Coordinates with EHS to reduce nuisance fire alarms
• Performs inspections regarding material condition of property
• Performs Health and Safety Inspections
• Performs internal SL plan reviews and coordinates with EHS
• Manages requests for information within Student Life and coordinates directly with EHS, as required, for all fire safety topics including egress, special events, and plan review

40% Building Inspection

• Lead inspections to check for repairs and conditions that place the resident or community at risk (e.g., life safety compromised or policy violations)
• Manage and track repairs that are identified during building inspections. Follow up to make sure the repairs have been completed
• Identify repairs/renovations that will improve the resident experience Enforce institutional and departmental policies by addressing student behaviors that may compromise student health and safety (e.g., insufficient cleaning, blocking emergency egress, items prohibited by Housing and University policy)
• Identify and document future needs when residential spaces are vacated
• Survey, research, and procure replacement parts, furniture, appliances and equipment as directed
• Manage projects and oversee vendors related to safety and construction code compliance
• Identify potential risk factors by noting gaps in service levels, facility condition, and policy/practice
• Working closely with DPSS, perform approximately 50% of the annual fire inspection of Residential Halls, required per State Code
• Perform annual fire inspection of apartments
• Program Manager for Student Life Fire Protection Systems including Hoods, Ansul, internal fire doors, individual smoke detectors, fire suppression, and Fire code compliance. Generate and manage the monthly fire alarm report
• Inspect and formally document playgrounds within the Student Life portfolio.
• Performs Natural Gas / Carbon Monoxide monitoring while performing apartment inspections. Report quantities higher than threshold to EHS.
• Conducts onsite education with Dining, Facilities, and residents for risk prevention, including fire extinguisher training. SL representative to work with and liaise with EHS in their investigation of incidents

25% Community Risk Reduction

• Manage customer notification programs.
• Communicate with residents prior to entry into living spaces
• Work with residents during inspections so they are aware what is being inspected and what the outcomes of the inspection show
• Direct residents to comply with inspection results
• Decide necessary follow-up with residents after inspections. Refer to educational and disciplinary processes as appropriate
• Lead training sessions for internal staff, students, and external customers
• Creating and distributing educational videos, such as 'Furnace Filter Change out' videos.
• Initiate and execute Community Service Events (Smoke Truck, Burn Trailer, Fall Fest)
• Perform fire safety / code analysis for students with mobility needs
• Oversee and manage SLF Welcome Stations at Move In.

25% Reporting, Tracking and Program Management

• Track and report the results of inspections
• Manage data systems such as AIM and Advocate appropriately to ensure necessary action by University and Housing entities
• Communicate short/long term budget priorities based on observed needs, conditions and deficiencies with the goal of enhancing resident safety and quality of living experience
• Manage condition assessment information for future action
• Manage customer notification programs
• Direct residents to comply with inspection results
• Refer to educational and disciplinary processes (when following up with residents) Generate paperwork for DTE
• Furnace Inspection Rebates or other facility related programs of interest Track and determine root cause of fire related incidents, including full and partial building fire alarms
• Follow up to Work Orders created by Fire Inspections
• Report, follow up, and fix fire code deficiencies
• Insert work order number, pictures, and corrective action into the shared Google Sheet between Res Ed and Facilities for enforcing the Community Living at Michigan (CLAM) guidelines

5% Enforcement, Compliance and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP?S)

• Develop and implement standard operating procedures within scope of position. This position has the authority to enforce SOPs across the organization in consultation with the supervisor.
• Enforce compliance of university and federal/state/local codes and policies across 5.4 million GSF of University Housing and University Unions properties
• Maintain relationships within Student Life Facilities, Housing and non- Student Life personnel including but not limited to Maintenance Mechanics, Skilled Trades, Hall Directors, Community Center Managers, Facilities admin staff, UM Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and UM Facilities & Operations (F&O)
• Manages Student Life Facilities AED program

5% Other Duties As Assigned

• Complete other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Life Facilities or his/her designee

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of certifications coupled with 8 years of experience in facilities, building inspection, fire inspection, or other similar facility-oriented inspection roles
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in facilities, building inspection, fire inspection, or other similar facility-oriented inspection roles
• Knowledge of tools, concepts, and methodologies of quality assurance as it relates to formal inspections
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements
• Knowledge of building maintenance, heating, cooling, and electrical systems
• Experience performing plan reviews and preparing reports
• Knowledge of modern fire prevention principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment
• Knowledge of and experience in the application and interpretation of fire codes and standards
• Knowledge and understanding of building codes related to fire and life safety
• CF-1 or 8 years of equivalent experience in Fire Safety
• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in facilities work
• Knowledge of University standards, guidelines, policies, procedures and regulations
• Professional Facilities-related certifications
• Residential Building Inspector certification (International Code Council)
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector (National Recreation and Park Association)
• Commercial Building Maintenance (CBM) Experience
• Community Risk Reduction Experience

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

#studentlife

Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position)

Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Interpersonal skills

Competencies

• Ability to work with students and staff from a wide range of cultural backgrounds
• Good administrative and creative problem solving and decision-making skills
• Problem analysis and problem solving
• Knowledge of day to day activities for custodial and maintenance operations
• Good oral and written communications skills- ability to prepare written reports and recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to develop and produce programs which successfully address best practices, standard operating procedures and continuous improvement
• Act professionally while using good judgment, customer service skills, and paying attention to detail, while interacting with residents and staff
• Customer service orientation
• Positive attitude and commitment toward teamwork and task completion
• Assist fellow staff in completing assignments and meeting deadlines
• Respect the confidential nature of student records and communications

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility

Assist with building budget model for anticipated capital projects

Assist with building and effectively managing a projected safety related budget (training, training related items, supplies, tools, etc.)

Review and assist with the management of Project budgets to identify safety related opportunities for upgrades and cost savings

Working Conditions

Typical working schedule is M-F business hours (7:30 - 4:00 pm), but may require some additional hours evenings and weekends.

Physical Requirements

This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, twisting and climbing all day. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to move and transport 25 lbs.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.