Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator - (CPS Fire & Safety Advisor) Full-time Job

Main Purpose and Function

The City Protective Services (CPS) Fire & Life Safety Advisor provides advice and operational management pertaining to the City’s internal Fire and Life Safety Program.  This includes audits to ensure all City assets are compliant with BC Fire Code and Building Code.  This position will provide on-site tactical planning with respect to fire safety plans, life safety equipment inspection programs, fire and life safety education and training, and internal fire prevention activities. The CPS Fire & Life Safety Advisor provides fire and life safety advice and expertise to City managers, and works with facility operational staff to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, codes, standards and best practices.

 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Advises a designated portfolio of business portfolios as assigned and acts as a backup for other portfolios when necessary.
• Develops and oversees the implementation of fire and life safety programs/systems/approaches.
• Works with managers and supervisors to develop appropriate and coordinated fire safety plans and responses by on-site personnel.
• Advises managers and supervisors on practices, policies and duties required to be in compliance with Fire Code.
• Provides consultation to City departments/programs regarding fire and life safety issues and requirements.
• Works with Managers, supervisors and staff to develop Life Safety programs specific to leased properties, including roles and responsibilities.
• In conjunction with Real Estate and Facilities Management, Planning and Development (Capital Project) ensures that appropriate equipment and fire safety plans are in place in leased facilities and that drills are conducted and staff educated to code in these facilities.
• Works with the CPS Manager, Fire and Life Safety to develop policies and procedures to ensure City assets continue to be compliant.
• Develops and maintains fire and life safety response protocols for on-site personnel.
• Maintains records of all required fire and life safety activities. 
• Develops and updates, as required, site specific fire safety plans for each directly managed facility.
• Supports managers in the implementation of their departmental specific fire safety plan.
• Interprets and maintains compliance standards in accordance with the BC Fire Code and BC building code and related regulations. 
• Advises the monitoring stations of changes in the status of the building life safety systems impairments.
• Coordinates Fire Watch activities during irregular operations related to building, life safety system outages and impairments.
• Documents and ensures annual testing of fire alarm and building suppression systems through a trade qualified professional.
• Coordinates training of the facility supervisory staff and other occupants in their responsibilities for fire safety and carrying out the fire emergency procedures described in the fire safety plan.
• Identifies the need for, and leads or updates, risk assessments.
• Analyzes and produces statistics and metrics related to  CPS fire and life safety.
• Ensures fire drills are conducted in all directly managed facilities as per British Columbia Fire Code regulations. 
• Ensures that designated staff complete weekly fire safety hazard checks and take immediate action to remedy.
• Ensures that all portable fire extinguishers and hoses are inspected and maintained as required by regulations. 
• Monitors designated personnel to ensure that they can function as a facility operational responder in fire alarm response. 
• Supervise and coordinate subordinate staff and or work performed by a contracted service including making recommendations regarding the use of contracted services.
• Acts as a liaison with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services. 
• Establishes and fosters a “fire safety culture” within The City. 

 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary education in a related field (minimum 2-year diploma) or equivalent education and experience
• Industry recognized professional certification in risk management, emergency management and/or fire and prevention is preferred 
• Fire and life safety experience preferably in a corporate environment

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable regulatory knowledge and demonstrated practical application of fire safety policies and programs.
• Ability to develop and foster relationships and collaborate with client groups and colleagues
• A broad based knowledge of principles and techniques related to fire safety planning
• Ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive information with a high degree of discretion and impartially 
• Ability to converse with, writes reports for, and create/deliver presentations in ways that support problem solving and planning
• Strong management and facilitation skills.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion and work effectively within a team environment
• Ability to prepare and deliver training material
• Ability to supervise and coordinate subordinate staff and/or contracted work
• Skilled in conflict resolution and the ability to identify potential pitfalls and problems areas
• Good computer skills and working knowledge of computer information access and protection

 

Drivers License and Record Checks:

• A current and valid BC Driver’s License
• A Police Record Check is a requirement of this position. A clearance requires the absence of any criminal charges or convictions related to this position.

 

Business Unit/Department: Chief Safety Officer (1090) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: October 2024 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-025: $43.78 to $51.70 per hour

 

Application Close: September 6, 2024

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the worlds most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.