Life Safety Lead Technician

Inside Higher Ed; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 67,127 - 91,035; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus potential

Eligibility for state benefits

Job summary

An educational institution is hiring a Life Safety Lead Technician in Chapel Hill, NC. This permanent, full-time role involves overseeing life safety systems, managing installations, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Candidates should have an associate’s degree in electronics, significant technical knowledge, and relevant certifications. Competitive salary range between $67,127 and $91,035.

Qualifications

• Degree must be from an accredited institution.
• Recent experience in programming and servicing fire safety systems.
• Licenses: Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician and NICET Level II required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Life Safety Shop team technically.
• Perform installations and modifications to life safety systems.
• Conduct building commissioning inspections to ensure compliance.

Skills

In-depth electronic technology knowledge

Troubleshooting to circuit-board level

Familiarity with NFPA standards

Ability to recommend system software/hardware

Experience in Fire Alarm industry

Education

Associate’s degree in electronics

Job description

Overview

Life Safety Lead Technician at Inside Higher Ed. This posting includes details about department, posting and application dates, working location, compensation, and related context.

Responsibilities

• Functions as a technical team leader that supports the Life Safety Shop mission. Provide technical support, training and orientation to Life Safety Shop technicians; review and approve system programming changes prior to downloading; review and submit FACP system programming changes; perform FACP programming downloads and be present for all of them; update copies of system programming changes for storage on the appropriate network drive.
• Manage workload schedules and communicate deviations, delays, or early completions to the Supervisor as needed.
• Perform major or difficult installations and modifications to life safety systems including fire detection and suppression, Card Access, Security, CCTV, and Equipment Monitoring Systems.
• Conduct walk-through, above-ceiling, pre-final, and final 100% acceptance building commissioning inspections, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and standards (e.g., NFPA 13, NFPA 70, NFPA 72; NC building and safety standards). Initiate and re-inspect punch-lists as needed.
• Oversee Preventive Maintenance (PM) inspections and repairs on Life Safety systems, ensuring work is completed on schedule and per manufacturer specifications and NFPA standards. Obtain and maintain required licenses and system manufacturer certifications for life safety work.
• Utilize laptops for diagnostics, troubleshooting, programming, and configuring system printers for history extraction and report generation. Conduct specialized programming on security and equipment alarm systems to meet customer and department needs.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Associate’s degree in electronics or equivalent training/experience. Degrees must be from accredited institutions.
• Required Knowledge and Experience: In-depth electronic technology knowledge, troubleshooting to circuit-board level, and familiarity with multiple computer operating systems. Thorough knowledge of NFPA, NEC, NCBC, NCSCO, IFC and ADA codes and regulations related to life safety systems. Ability to recommend system software/hardware and train end users.
• Recent experience in the Fire Alarm industry, including programming, service, and repair of Fire Detection and Suppression, Security, CCTV, Card Access systems; familiarity with NFPA standards (e.g., NFPA 13, 14, 20, 25, 70, 72).
• Ability to report for mandatory University operations when required, including during adverse conditions.
• Licenses/Certifications: Fire Sprinkler Inspection Technician License and Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician License (NC). NICET Level II certifications in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems and Fire Alarm Systems. If not currently held, the candidate must obtain these licenses/certifications within specified timeframes. A valid NC Driver’s License or ability to obtain one before start date.
• Preferred experience with multiple fire alarm manufacturers, design reviews for life safety in building projects, system testing and commissioning, and experience with state agencies (e.g., NCDOI, NCDOL, NC SCO).

Special Requirements

• Ability to stand for long periods, work from lifts, climb ladders, and work at heights. Ability to crawl, enter confined spaces, and lift objects up to 40 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Evening, night, on-call, weekend work, and potential overtime. Valid NC Driver’s License required.

Sign-On Bonus and Policies

A sign-on bonus may be available, with terms described in the posting. Eligibility and repayment terms follow state policy and Pay Back Agreement requirements, and are contingent on budget and eligibility at the time of hire.

Location and Employment Details

Location: Chapel Hill, NC. Position Type: Permanent, full-time (40 hours/week). Working Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Salary range: $67,127 – $91,035. Internal posting data also references related job titles and internal recruitment details.