Job Information
City of New York Fire Safety Director in New York, New York
Job Description
The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 9,000 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.
The Fire Safety Director is a crucial position within the New York City Department of Corrections (NYCDOC), responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive fire safety programs and protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel, inmates, and facilities. The Fire Safety Director will work closely with correctional staff, incarcerated individuals, and other relevant stakeholders to minimize fire risks, promote fire prevention, and effectively respond to emergencies in accordance with established codes, regulations, and best practices.
Key Responsibilities:
Fire Safety Planning and Strategy:
Develop and implement fire safety plans, policies, and procedures specific to correctional facilities,
aligning them with NYCDOC guidelines and applicable local, state, and federal fire safety codes.
Conduct thorough fire risk assessments and hazard analyses of correctional facilities, identifying
potential vulnerabilities and recommending appropriate corrective measures.
Collaborate with architects, engineers, and contractors during the design and construction phases
to ensure adherence to fire safety standards.
Provide expert advice and guidance on fire safety matters to the NYCDOC leadership team, facility
managers, and other relevant personnel.
Manage, engage, and oversee the work of external fire safety system contractors and service
contractors.
Fire Prevention and Education:
Develop and deliver comprehensive fire safety training programs for correctional staff, educating
them on fire prevention techniques, emergency response procedures, and the proper use of fire safety
equipment.
Implement and oversee fire drills, evacuation drills, and other simulated emergency scenarios to
evaluate preparedness and identify areas for improvement.
Conduct regular inspections of correctional facilities, ensuring compliance with fire safety
regulations and addressing potential fire hazards.
Promote fire safety awareness among inmates through educational campaigns, materials,
and interactive sessions, emphasizing the importance of fire prevention and safe behavior.
Compliance and Documentation:
Monitor and maintain up-to-date knowledge of fire safety codes, regulations, and industry standards
applicable to correctional facilities, ensuring compliance and making necessary adjustments to policies
and procedures.
Prepare and submit accurate reports on fire safety activities, inspections, training sessions, incidents,
and other relevant data as required by the NYCDOC and regulatory bodies.
Keep records of fire safety equipment inspections, maintenance, and repairs, ensuring they are
conducted in a timely manner and in accordance with established protocols.
Ensure that deficiencies in the fire alarm system, fire suppression system and other life safety system
are timely identified and remediated.
Assist in the preparation and coordination of fire safety audits and inspections by external agencies,
facilitating their access to relevant documentation and providing necessary support.
Qualifications
Qualification Requirements
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and four years of full-time experience in corrections, social work, psychology, law, public administration, law enforcement, or a related field providing direct services to an inmate or detention population within a correctional or related facility, at least one (1) year of which must have been in a responsible supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity; or
A high school diploma or evidence of having passed a high school equivalency examination and six (6) years of full-time experience as described above; or
Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Service as an inmate in correctional or related facility may be substituted for a portion of the required experience up to a maximum of two years on a year for year basis. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work, psychology, law, criminal justice or public administration which includes a field placement performing duties as described above, may be substituted for up to one year of full-time experience as described in "1" above. However, all candidates must have at least two years of full-time experience as described in "1" above, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.