Lead Fire Alarm Technician (8194C) – #82969

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California’s diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP) is part of the Division of Student Affairs under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor of RSSP. RSSP provides student housing, residential life programs, self-operated dining services for undergraduate and graduate students and their families, and childcare services for students, faculty, and staff; it also conducts a year-round conference business, operates eleven campus restaurants, and manages twenty-six faculty apartments. The Central Maintenance, Design, and Minor Capital Projects units provide a comprehensive group of services to all units within RSSP. These services include performing or managing all building trades and related maintenance services, performing interior design services, space planning, renovation project planning and management services, major maintenance, minor capital planning and project management for RSSP.

position Summary

Under supervision this role serves as working lead, performing work of a lead fire alarm electrician, coordinating projects, scheduling and assigning work, transmitting orders, explaining tasks to co-workers and maintaining time and material records, performing accurate material takeoffs and estimate required staffing levels and project completion times. This position trains other electricians in proper methods, techniques, and safety procedures; in addition to directing, assigning work to other staff performing fire alarm work based on RSSP priorities.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 12/22/2025.

Responsibilities

Duties

• Installs, tests, repairs, troubleshoots, replaces, fabricates, modifies, maintains, performs planned and emergency repairs to fire systems, wiring, devices, and equipment.
• Perform fire alarm inspection, testing and maintenance in accordance with statutory and campus requirements
• Participates in the design of new facilities, renovations, assemblies, systems, equipment, and controls.
• Prepares project drawings in detail showing measurement, materials, and other required information using information from building blueprints, verbal and other information.
• Performs work on shop fabrications.
• Performs planned and emergency maintenance, inspections, test operations, troubleshooting and documentation of work performed.
• Fabricate, place, terminate various types of buses, cables, conductors, wires.
• Installs, connect, test, operate, repair, replace, circuit breakers, controls, fuses, lighting, motors, outlets, signaling devices, switches, thermostats, timers, and wiring devices.
• Operate, calibrate, adjust, clean, service, and repair electrical components and systems.
• Responds to emergencies, work-on-call, rotating swing shift and holidays.
• Demonstrates at all times, good communication skills with campus community, including students, staff, and co-workers, in a multi-cultural environment.
• Work is assigned by means of verbal and written instructions by lead person or superintendent; service request is carried out by the worker in accordance with standard practices of the electrical trade.
• Execute all job assignments in a timely manner.
• Work is subject to inspection while in progress and upon completion.
• Accountable for his or her own actions within work spaces of the University and Campus facilities.
• As required, works from drawing, prints, manuals, and coordinates work.
• As required, handles hazardous waste and will be responsible to safely handle, properly contain and label, and follow appropriate emergency procedures as they relate to hazardous waste materials.
• Performs basic mathematical calculations related to performing projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Performs all work in compliance with EH&S health and safety policies, OSHA and other applicable federal, state and local fire, health, safety, emergency preparedness, pollution-prevention policies, RSSP policies and procedures and University of California’s policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct, IIPP (Safety and Health Procedures), Hazardous Materials Communications Program, Health and Safety Manual, as well as any other document authorized by the RSSP management to have bearing on employee safety and conduct.

Administrative/Technical

• Coordinates with project managers and building inspectors.
• Keeps up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive project records including plans, specifications, submittals, schedules, annual testing reports, requests, changes, approvals, and costs.
• Consults with leads/supervisor/or project superintendents who administer requirements and standards for projects and/or modification of projects.
• Supports maintenance projects and programmatic work assignments.
• Uses information to track jobs for completion status.
• Has the ability to prioritize work to optimize customer service levels.
• Completes paperwork in a neat and timely manner.
• Maintains organized, accurate maintenance and periodic testing files for building systems.
• Defines and describes materials, tools and/or equipment, work methods and task sequences.
• Serves as liaison with clients, relaying their needs and requirements to the appropriate department or superintendent.
• Performs shutdowns and supports project schedules to minimize interference with operational needs.
• Keeps accurate time and material records; orders materials and equipment.
• Has current knowledge of relevant building codes and regulations.
• Communicates clearly over the telephone and two-way radio.
• Attends safety, technical and general meetings.

Safety And Health Awareness/Responsibilities

• Adheres to the Code of Conduct, Health and Safety policies. Completes job related tasks in a safe manner by adhering to appropriate safety regulations.
• Aware of potential hazardous operations, and takes appropriate precautions.
• Immediately stops work in the event of danger to people or property.
• Proceeds with work only after ensuring that appropriate safety procedures have been implemented.
• Reports all accidents and/or incidents immediately to supervisor for record keeping.
• Attends safety meetings.

IIPP Statement

• Provides health and safety training, guidance on safe work practices, provides proper equipment, observes work practices and correct methods, and investigates accidents. Work in a safe and responsible manner while not putting self or others at risk.
• This includes complying with applicable policies and regulations, using personal safety gear, observe warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting unsafe conditions.

Interpersonal Relations

• Utilizes good judgment in interpersonal communications in situations requiring sensitivity and tact.
• Treats customers, co-workers, supervisors and managers with respect and courtesy.
• Works in a cooperative manner with co-workers and promotes a cooperative team environment.
• Has a good working relationship with a complete understanding of the roles of students, faculty, staff and other RSSP employees as clients.
• Demonstrates at all times good communication skills with campus community, including students, building managers, faculty, and craft personnel.
• Interacts directly with all levels of clients throughout the division in defining project requirements.
• Responds to requests for service in a timely manner.
• Supports and achieves organizational goals established to maintain and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Reports progress or delays and refers major problems to lead or superintendent for resolution and informs customers as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of applicable local and state codes and standards.
• experience in Install or repairing electrical distribution systems and related components including electrical wiring and devices, electrical panels, equipment, emergency generators, automatic transfer switches.
• Thorough understanding of the operation of and the ability to accurately troubleshoot electrical distribution systems, fire alarm systems, electrical circuits, equipment and perform repairs within industry standard labor times for these operations.
• Thorough understanding and ability to plan methods and procedures required to perform electrical work and fire alarm system work on campus facilities.
• Experience in assessing electrical specifications and make recommendations for the design of new facilities, renovations, installation of assemblies, systems, equipment.
• Thorough understanding of fire alarm systems, trouble-shooting, operation, testing procedures, and maintenance documentation requirements.
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings.
• Prepare drawings in detail showing measurements and materials with information obtained from blueprints and verbal instructions.
• Thorough understanding of materials, equipment, their characteristics and applications as used in the electrical trade.
• Thorough knowledge of all hand and power tools used in the trade, their proper application and operation.
• Experience in using a variety of craft techniques of the trade including wire pulling techniques, conduit bending, wire, and cable connection techniques.
• Fitted with a respirator and perform work properly using a respirator as required.
• As required, must provide direction to semi-skilled or unskilled assistants.
• Employed as a journey-level electrician for a minimum of 4 years including a minimum of two years performing installation, trouble-shooting, and repair of fire alarm systems.
• Successful completion of four year apprenticeship or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified as NICET Level II Fire Alarm Technician.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California’s Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly rate that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $73.47 (Step 1) – $74.50 (Step 2).

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is a non-exempt, biweekly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

• Required to hold valid driver’s license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Skilled Crafts Unit (KB) between the University of California and the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council (ACBCTC). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/kb/index.html
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

• Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.