FACILITIES SERVICES
Job Description
Campus Engineering & Operations
Control Technician
Job Code: 8828 – Contract Classified
Fire Alarm Control Technician
Department Introduction:
Campus Engineering provides professional engineering support for the design, construction, operation and maintenance
of all University facilities. Campus Operations maintains and operates critical building systems including fire/life safety
systems, elevator systems, building environmental systems and controls, central clock systems, high voltage distribution
systems, and a utility shutdown coordination program. Campus Operations also provides emergency maintenance
response service to the Seattle campus community, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Campus Utilities produces steam,
emergency electrical power, chilled water, and compressed air for the campus
Job Purpose:
The Seattle campus has over 150 buildings with educational classrooms, office space, research laboratories, medical
facilities, residence halls and public assembly occupancies. This work requires specialized skills and knowledge in highrise and low-rise building fire detection/alarm systems and emergency communication systems.
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Interact with clients, coworkers, management, staff and students in a courteous and professional manner, with a
particular attention to customer service
 Routinely perform regulatory confidence testing on fire alarm and life safety systems in occupied research
laboratories, medical facilities, residence halls, classrooms and other higher education facilities
 Service, install, test, inspect, calibrate, commission, repair, troubleshoot, maintain and operate complex fire
detection/alarm systems, life safety systems and other monitoring/control/signal/clock systems in University
buildings that are routinely occupied and cannot be disturbed
 Collaborate with other University employees and contractors on a daily basis in a professional manner to resolve
fire detection/alarm and life safety systems issues
 Maintain and update fire detection/alarm and life safety testing documentation to reflect the current conditions
 Work varied shift hours and work overtime when assigned or called back for a facilities emergency
 Write, modify, and debug computer programs used in fire detection/alarm control systems
 Follow safe work and housekeeping practices, comply with departmental and university policies, and comply with
environmental and other regulations while performing duties
 Safely and properly use drill presses, grinders, hand drills, soldering guns, small hand tools, and other specialized
apparatus such as multi-meters and oscilloscopes
 Prepare service histories, work orders, and fulfill other documentation requirements
 Attend all required meetings and training
 Perform other duties as assigned
 Regular and predictable attendance is required
Core Competencies:
 Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness
 Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively
 Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems
 Be responsible and accountable
 Use organizational skills and provide attention to details
 Maintain a positive, optimistic and success-oriented attitude
 Exercise professional demeanor, which includes being tactful and courteous
 Exhibit a professional work ethic
 Continuously promote a safe work environment
Required Skills, Experience and Knowledge:
 Completion of a four-year approved institution course as a Control Technician Trainee; OR four years of
applicable experience in installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical and pneumatic control systems.
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Vocational or trade school training in control mechanisms may be substituted, year-for-year, for work experience
up to a maximum of two years
Must have experience and working knowledge of fire alarm regulatory requirements in NFPA 72 and the Seattle
Fire Code
Must be conversant with one or more fire alarm systems and programming languages
Must have the ability and willingness to learn, adapt to new technologies and be flexible when situations change
Must be able to analyze and evaluate information and situations in order to solve problems
Must have strong customer service skills and be able to work closely with other skilled trades, supervisors, leads,
technicians, researchers, faculty, students, while demonstrating the highest professional attitude
Must be a strong team player, able to work alone and work closely with multiple trades in a highly complex major
learning and research university
Must be able to work varied work shifts and work overtime when assigned, called back or stand by for a facilities
emergency
Must be skilled with Microsoft operating systems and software, to include Microsoft Word; willingness to learn
Excel, Access, and Publisher
Have knowledge and understand of safe work practices and policies
Must be able to wear all proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required
Must be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions and communicate in English regarding the use of
chemicals, supplies, and equipment; comply with safety policies and procedures
Desirable Skills, Experience and Knowledge:
 Conversant with Simplex 4100 family of fire alarm systems and the Simplex TrueSite networking system
 Possession of a valid N.I.C.E.T. Level II license (or higher)
 Two-year Associates Degree in electronics, or equivalent
 Five or more years recent experience with a major fire alarm system contractor as a certified Fire Alarm Control
Technician
Conditions of Employment:
 Must be able to work on ladders, high lifts, and catwalks
 Must be willing to work at the University Health Science complex which includes live animal quarters and research
 Must be willing to work in BL2 and BL3 areas
 Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment
 The University of Washington is a smoke-free campus
 Must maintain a professional appearance at all times
 Must wear personal protective equipment as required
 Approved safety shoes must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job
 Must possess, or obtain within 60 days of employment, and maintain a valid Seattle Fire Department FA-1
Certification and successfully retest every three years as long as employed as a Fire Control Technician
 Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License at all times, and must be able to operate Washington State
owned vehicles as needed
 Must be able to communicate effectively using a hand held two-way radio
 A satisfactory outcome from a criminal background verification will be required prior to hire
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