The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center ranks among the top academic medical centers in the world. Its faculty members – who are responsible for a broad array of groundbreaking biomedical research advances – are respected for their dedication to teaching and patient care. The medical center has four degree-granting institutions: UT Southwestern Medical School, UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UT Southwestern School of Health Professions and the UT Southwestern School of Public Health. The schools train about 3,700 medical, graduate, and allied health students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows each year.
A great medical center offers outstanding patient care in addition to fine teaching and innovative research. We emphasize compassionate medical treatment. UT Southwestern’s physicians are equipped to bring the latest laboratory findings to each patient. We provide inpatient care to nearly 117,000 people and oversee approximately 3 million outpatient visits annually. UT Southwestern has approximately 21,000 employees and an operating budget of approximately $4.1 billion.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Fire and Occupational Safety leads the fire safety and occupational safety programs for the institution. The position ensures life and property protection by directing programs for fire prevention, inspection of all fire alarm and suppression systems, life safety reviews, building plan reviews, safety permits, construction safety, occupational safety programs, and emergency response to fires and hazardous materials events. The Director leads a team of 15 dedicated employees and is a part of the Office of Safety and Business Continuity that houses all workplace safety programs for the University in addition to emergency management and risk and insurance services. The Director works closely with Facilities Management, University Police, Health System operations, the Fire and Occupational Safety Committee, and the other Safety Directors in the department. Candidate should have familiarity with NFPA, hospital environment of care standards/ The Joint Commission requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. The university includes a hospital, clinics, research labs, academic space, and offices across over 15 million gross square feet of buildings.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
REQUIRED
Bachelor’s degree in related field and eight (8) years progressively responsible, related experience to include at least three (3) years in supervisory capacity.
JOB DUTIES
Leads a comprehensive emergency response, fire safety and occupation safety program for an Academic Medical Center including offsite locations.
Plans and develops strategy to support fire prevention, occupational safety and emergency response programs. Ensures the institution and departments maintain compliance with applicable regulatory statues in these areas including Federal and State requirements, NFPA and Joint Commission.
Identifies potential safety and health hazards and discrepancies with safety policies, regulatory agency standards and national guidelines and develops strategies or implements control measures to ensure a safe environment.
Directs and supervises the development and training of program staff.
Interacts productively with personnel at all levels within UT Southwestern and with pertinent regulatory agencies when necessary and appropriate.
Stays abreast of environmental, health and safety regulations and practices and implements changes as needed.
Assists in preparing for and responding to emergencies including hazardous materials incidents. Participates in emergency drills including fire drills.
Assists supervisor with administrative duties including but not limited to administrative support functions, PeopleSoft transactions, expenditures approvals and administrative personnel oversight.
Functions as the campus Authority Having Jurisdiction for matters of Life Safety and Fire Protection.
Performs other duties as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed primarily in general office environment. May require to be on call for emergency situations and/or may require the availability to respond at times outside of set work schedule.
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of: race; color; religion; national origin; sex; including sexual harassment; age; disability; genetic information; citizenship status; and protected veteran status. In addition, it is UT Southwestern policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
