Hybrid Life Safety Systems Engineer at Oklahoma City Public Schools

 
Position Summary:
The Safety and Security Systems Engineer plays a critical role in designing, implementing, and maintaining the district's low-voltage and life safety systems. This position involves developing district standards, designing and maintaining secure and scalable systems, and ensuring the reliability of critical infrastructure to support the safety and operations of educational facilities, requiring a blend of networking, system design, and project management to drive innovation, ensure compliance, and effectively integrate safety and security technologies district-wide. These systems include fire detection/alarm systems, intrusion/burglar alarm systems, access control systems, intercoms, video and audio surveillance, security/HVAC pressure sensors, and all other systems.
 
Essential Duties:

1. Great Teaching & Learning (Instructional Infrastructure):
   • Develop and deliver comprehensive training sessions for district staff and external partners on the usage and maintenance of low-voltage and life safety systems.
   • Conduct interdepartmental training as required and perform basic troubleshooting, installation, and configuration of life safety and security devices.
   • Demonstrate and train staff on systems, including the causes and consequences of false alarms.
   • Prepare estimates in accordance with prescribed instructions or supervisor direction, including budget tracking and inspection processes.
2. Great People (Talent Management):
   • Oversee and manage work orders, including prioritizing and assigning tasks to Low Voltage Technicians, ensuring timely resolution and adherence to district standards.
   • Direct the activities of Low Voltage and Systems Technician(s) to maintain and enhance operational efficiency.
   • Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and district teams to integrate low-voltage systems seamlessly into facilities.
3. Great Culture (Systems Leaders):
   • Promote accountability and a safety-first culture by ensuring that staff members understand the importance of maintaining system integrity and adhering to safety standards.
   • Lead initiatives to integrate safety values and technology into daily district operations, aligning with strategic goals.
   • Ensure all safety and low-voltage systems support a reliable and safe environment for district staff and students.
4. Great Systems (Support & Accountability):
   • Architect and implement advanced networking solutions to support district-wide low-voltage and life safety systems, ensuring reliability and scalability.
   • Develop, execute, and maintain software architectures for all low-voltage and life-safety systems, including database management, user authentication protocols, and system-wide configurations.
   • Determine optimal locations for cameras, access control, and other devices to maximize functionality and ensure compliance.
   • Establish and enforce district standards for low-voltage and life safety systems, ensuring consistent implementation across all sites.
   • Inspect and coordinate work performed by authorized vendors to ensure projects meet scope, specifications, and guideline requirements.
   • Perform regular preventative maintenance, building assessments, and physical inspections of life safety devices, creating written reports and implementing repairs.
   • Respond to dispatched service calls for life safety system failures, fire/burglary outages, and alarm issues, performing basic point-to-point troubleshooting and escalating vendor-related issues as needed.
   • Perform barcoding, camera validations, cable labeling, floor plan mapping, and other inventory-related tasks for life safety and security devices.
   • Collect and maintain an accurate inventory of all in-use life safety and security equipment, including service records, upgrades, and warranty information.
   • Install, maintain, and repair security systems, alarm devices, and related equipment, following blueprints and electrical layouts, and perform cable termination and placement.
5. Additional Duties:

 

• Review and provide feedback on architectural and construction plans to ensure alignment with district standards and system requirements.
• Document all activities in the district work order system and generate work orders in response to service requests.
• Recognize and provide immediate solutions for onsite system integration modifications during construction projects, from start to closure.
• Monitor construction timelines and coordinate inspections and work packages to meet project deadlines and budget requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support district safety and low-voltage system operations.

 
 
Job Specifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.
 
 
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Five (5) years of experience in the installation, programming, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Fire Alarm, Intrusion Alarm, IP Video, and Access Control Systems.
• Possession of a valid operator's driver's license and acceptable driving record as determined to meet district motor vehicle insurance coverage requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Complete understanding and wide application of basic principles, theories, and concepts in low-voltage installations and repairs.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships with subordinates, supervisors, staff, managers, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to direct the activities of other technicians and act as a source of training and information.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, stressful, demanding, and/or ambiguous work environment.
• Ability to set priorities, plan, delegate, and coordinate work activities to meet predetermined deadlines.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.

 
Physical/Mental Requirements:   

• Must have adequate manual dexterity to write legibly and perform required duties on a computer. 
• Must have adequate visual acuity to read, interpret, and transcribe written material and other required duties.
• Requires normal range of hearing and clear speaking abilities to interact appropriately with others in person and on the telephone.
• Requires some stooping, bending, stretching, and occasional lifting not to exceed 25 pounds. 
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• May periodically require work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, under sometimes stressful conditions in order to meet business needs and strict deadlines.

 
 Work Environment:  

• Office duties will be performed in a well-lighted, climate-controlled environment.
• Will require time in office, as well as external meeting locations with community partners or schools throughout the OKC metro area.
• Participation in meetings and activities outside of normal business hours, including weekends and holidays, may be required.  
• May be required to work overtime and weekends and holidays.
• Able to bend and stoop, lift 25 lbs, stand and/or sit for extended periods of time.

  Reports To:       Safety Director
FSLA Status:    Exempt            
Compensation:  805
Work Days:       242
FTE:                 100