Asst Dir Fire & Life Safety (Finance)

This position leads a comprehensive fire and life safety program for the USF System. Responsibilities include the development, implementation, and management of policies, programs, and procedures designed to reduce risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect the health and safety of the campus community. This position is responsible for both long-term strategic planning and day-to-day operational leadership of fire and life safety programs. It also serves as the primary liaison to the State Fire Marshal and collaborates closely with various USF stakeholders to support fire safety compliance.Minimum Qualifications:
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Requires a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Minimum of 5 years of exempt-level fire safety or code compliance experience, including 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
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Degree Equivalency Clause:
Two years of direct experience for an associate degree
Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree
Six years of direct experience for a master's degree
Seven years for a professional degree
Nine years for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for required licensure, certification, or registration.
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Preferred Qualifications:
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Master's degree in Fire Science, Engineering, Public Safety, or a related field.
Certified Fire Inspector, Fire Protection Specialist, or related professional credential.
Experience working in higher education or large institutional settings.
Familiarity with NFPA standards, Florida Fire Prevention Code, and fire protection system design.
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Additional Info for Applicants:
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Environment: Typical indoor/office setting with periodic inspections across campus environments.
Physical Requirements - climbing, standing, stooping, and/or typing; Ability to lift up to 20lbs as needed.
Travel - Ability to travel to other USF campuses and/or other locations as requested.Working at USF
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With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
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About USF
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The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
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Compliance and Federal Notices
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This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

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• Manages and leads all aspects of the USF System's Fire and Life Safety program, including fire safety compliance inspections, emergency egress planning, fire protection systems, fire extinguisher program oversight, and fire prevention training.
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• Supervises Fire Safety staff, including hiring, training, performance management, and workload planning. Conducts regular operational meetings to align staff with program goals.
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• Leads the development and implementation of fire and life safety policies, programs, and procedures using data and industry best practices to proactively identify risk and compliance priorities.
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• Cultivates and manages the university's relationship with the State Fire Marshal's Office, directing coordination with inspections and responses to violations or findings, and maintaining open communication on regulatory issues.
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• Oversees and evaluates fire and life safety metrics and trends, including inspection results, fire system functionality, incident reports, and compliance actions. Oversees dashboards/data and status reports for leadership review.
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• Collaborates with project teams to confirm construction and renovation plans are meeting fire code compliance, life safety systems, and emergency egress have been completed.
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• Serves as a key advisor and subject matter expert on fire safety during large events, occupancy changes, and emergency response planning.
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• Provides leadership in fire safety education and outreach, including validation of fire drills, developing educational materials, and delivering training to campus stakeholders.
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• Represents EHS on university and department-level committees, task forces, and workgroups related to safety, compliance, construction, and emergency response.
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• Performs other duties as assigned.
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