Senior Fire Safety Engineer
1 month ago
Durham
Job Title: Senior Fire Safety Engineer Department Estates and Facilities Directorate Business and Campus Services Grade: Grade 8 Salary range: £47,389-£56,535 Working arrangements: Full time (nominal 35 hours) Permanent Evenings and weekend working, as business needs There may be a requirement to participation in an out-of-hours on-call rota Hybrid working (minimum of two days per week onsite, depending on business needs, after the initial training/induction period) Closing date: Shortlisting and interviews will take place throughout the advertising period and if it is possible to fill this vacancy before the closing date, the advert will be closed immediately The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. The Role and Department As Senior Fire Safety Engineer, you will be responsible for applying advanced fire engineering principles in the design and assessment of buildings across a diverse estate. This includes the technical delivery of fire safety services, design and drawing appraisals, and ensuring compliance with Approved Document B, BS9999, BS9991 or performance-based fire engineering solutions. You will provide expert advice on a wide range of fire safety issues such as compartmentation, passive and active fire protection systems, occupancy levels, fire escape strategies, emergency lighting, alarms, fire suppression systems, fire-fighting equipment, and specialist systems. You will also assess fire safety arrangements for disabled occupants, fire appliance access, and construction-phase fire safety. You will produce and review Fire Safety Manuals and provide technical guidance throughout the project lifecycle. Extensive experience in fire dynamics and delivering fire engineering consultancy across complex projects is essential. In addition to technical expertise, you will lead the Fire Safety team, providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and professional development, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You will also be required to lead on policy development, internal governance, and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks and institutional standards. By promoting a deep understanding of fire safety policy and external developments, you will play a key role in shaping the future of fire safety provision within the University. The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University, you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 30 Days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year., • The University closes between Christmas and New Year., • We offer a generous pension scheme. As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS) which the University will also add contributions to., • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies., • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities., • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme., • On site nursery is available and children's clubs in the summer holidays., • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers)., • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community., • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions., • A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits., • If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or substantial equivalent experience in a similar role., 2. MFireE and IFE Level 5 Diploma in Fire Engineering Design, or equivalent., 3. Chartered, or working towards chartered status, as a Fire Safety Engineer., 4. Professional practitioner with specialist up-to-date fire safety law, building codes and best practice and expertise to influence service delivery and activities within the organisation., 5. Experience of participating in networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships., 6. Experience of delivering and developing specialist fire safety advice, guidance and oversight for buildings and estates., 7. Experience of developing and implementing fire safety management systems., 8. Experience of auditing fire safety management systems against a recognised standard., 9. Experience of providing specialist fire safety advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues., 10. Experience of implementing fire safety policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 11. Knowledge of fire modelling simulation., 12. Knowledge and familiarity on computer aided design (CAD) packages, building information management (BIM), active fire protection (AFP) and passive fire protection (PFP)., 13. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally., 14. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications., 15. Track record of working as a Fire Engineer with experience in designing and implementing fire safety strategies in new and existing buildings., 16. Knowledge and understanding of fire dynamic, heat transfer and smoke behaviour principles., 17. Ability to apply the principles of good practice in fire safety risk management to unusual and non-standard problems, proposing practical and proportionate solutions., 18. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions., 19. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, and fire risk assessment principles., 20. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels., 21. Ability to deliver engaging training. Desirable Criteria 1. Demonstrable, relevant experience working in a large complex organisation., 2. Experience of applying fire safety practices in a higher education institution or similar diverse environment. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from oure-recruitmentsystem. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit • A CV, • A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Andy Mulligan, Director of Health, Safety and Fire, Business Resilience and Security Risk, Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery • Provide expert professional fire safety engineering advice, guidance and support., • Deliver specialist services, including fire safety investigations, and quality and regulatory audits, as an expert practitioner in fire safety engineering; making recommendations and identifying priorities to improve fire safety across the estate., • Assess and understand the main British fire safety legislation and standards applied to buildings, such as Approved Document B (AD B), BS9999, BS7974, etc., • Lead the design, development and implementation of fire safety strategies and reports, and influence organisational transformation., • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values., • Develop and apply an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments when carrying out you role., • Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by activities and processes and carried out in services you are responsible for., • Use your professional knowledge and experience as a Fire Safety Engineer to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice., • Use your managerial and leadership expertise to identify priorities and shape the Fire Safety service to achieve the required outcomes., • Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned fire safety policies, processes, quality standards, procedures and systems., • Initiate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area., • Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed., • Receive information on, and investigate incidents and accidents, formulating and implementing any follow-up actions. Planning and Organising • Contribute to the development of operational plans relevant to your area., • Contribute to the scoping and resource planning across a range of fire safety activities, at operational and possibly strategic level., • Lead reviews and design verification of fire safety solutions in all projects., • Lead the development of fire risk assessments and a programme of fire safety inspections., • Lead and manage fire safety projects, monitoring performance, providing progress reports and taking action to ensure agreed outcomes are met., • Assign activities within agreed operational and strategic plans to relevant project teams for them to deliver., • Lead the design and implementation of transformative service developments., • Research technological/system/facility trends to determine the implications and opportunities to change how services are delivered in your area., • Manage and monitor health and safety assessments, security procedures and fire risk assessments, to ensure compliance., • Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources. Team Development • Manage and develop the people, performance and resources of the Fire Safety team to ensure that a customer focussed service is provided., • Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring the team in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities., • Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members, • Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs., • Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services or more senior managers. Communication/Liaison • Lead internal fire safety meetings, working groups and sub-committees at operational level to influence governance, organisational policy and standards for the fire safety service., • Advise on appropriate fire safety solutions at internal and external design meetings., • Influence University policy, standards and governance by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees., • Provide professional fire safety guidance and advice when managing complaints, referrals and specialist services., • Build and establish contacts and networks with key stakeholders, internal and external staff, suppliers, contractors and industry specialists., • Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University's reputation., • Represent the service and University at promotional events., • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
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