Senior Operations Fire-Life-Safety Systems Engineer

Salary range is $80k to $175k, with a midpoint of $125k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12-16 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

This is an operationally focused Senior Fire-Life-Safety systems role. The purpose of this position is to provide fire protection system life cycle support, confidence testing oversight, and oversight of all in service system deficiencies, impairments, and operational enhancements including; transit maintenance and operating facilities, public transit station facilities, transit tunnel fire protection systems, transit guide way systems, and control centers. The successful candidate will rely upon experience and knowledge of fire protection systems, transit operations and associated regulations to ensure that Agency Safety, Technical Performance, and system availability are maintained. In addition, serve as the operations subject matter expert in fire, life and safety systems in operational service. Complementing these strong technical skills is the need for effective collaboration with the fire systems engineers in Design Engineering and Construction Management (DECM) and Safety and Quality Management (SQM) departments, liaison with Authorities having jurisdiction, design and construction review, and testing/commissioning support of fire detection and suppression systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Oversees the support and testing associated with keeping all in service fire-life-safety systems in a high state of good repair
• Provides Operations Department fire protection reviews of design and construction submittals;
• Provides engineering support and coordination associated will all in service fire-life-safety system testing required to ensure a high state of readiness
• Provides information and prepares report/requests for concurrence from the local fire and building officials; provides a variety of status reports and responds to required audits.
• Provides support to the Operations Engineering and Technology division on matters as directed; participates on a variety of committees as assigned; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Be available for testing and commissioning support during construction. Works closely with DECM and SQM department engineers to determine reliable and cost effective means of meeting Agency Goals.
• Provide fire protection support, and liaison with local Fire Departments and Authorities having jurisdiction. Support and foster mutual respect, cooperation, and productive working relationships with other senior individuals in cities and municipalities who are responsible for Fire/Life Safety activity.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field, or holder of current fire-alarm licenses (ie. SC-1, FA-1 and NICET Level 2). Five years of Fire Protection Systems Engineering experience that may include design work, working with consultants and contractors, operational system support and engineering field work; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working in a rail or transit related environment preferred.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications: Possession of an active Washington State Professional Engineer license with an endorsement in fire protection engineering and fire alarm engineering.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• National Fire Protection Association Codes and Regulations.
• NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems.
• Fundamental scientific electrical engineering concepts and relationships.
• Established fire protection engineering and fire alarm engineering principles, methods, and techniques in the areas of fire protection management, fire dynamics, active and passive fire suppression systems, and egress and occupant movement. .
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Proficiency in English, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, CAD, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Testing and Commissioning of facilities.
• Engineering system support, coordination and testing.
• System troubleshooting and repair techniques.
• Directing field work.
• Applying fire protection engineering and fire alarm engineering principles and procedures.
• Reviewing or checking the work products of others to ensure conformance to standards.
• Performing advanced mathematical calculations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Presentation development and public speaking skills.
• Applying appropriate oral and written communication skills to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, engineering consultants, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Reviewing and developing Construction Specification Institute formatted contract specifications and test procedures; developing design criteria; creating standards.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment and in a transit system field environment including rail tunnels and equipment rooms.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position is responsible for testing, installations, certifications, fire department trainings, troubleshooting, and other hands-on activities; may be subject to hearing, talking, seeing and carrying objects up to 25 pounds.
• Position supports emergency fire-life-safety system confidence testing and repairs, which frequently require on-site presence during non-revenue (night) hours.
• Position includes rotating 24/7 on-call technical support including on-site attendance for emergency or critical failure conditions.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)