Compliance Adviser (Fire)

Job Purpose 

This post reports into the Senior Compliance Adviser (Asbestos, Fire and Specialist Support).

Responsibility and accountability for this role extends to managing all aspects of fire safety and engineering in line with the Fire (Scotland) Act and Building Standards to support the Universities compliance in this area.

Technical support to all Construction, Planned Maintenance and Technical Services staff relating to fire safety both passive and active.

The role is wide in its purpose where it embraces general safety and compliance responsibility and accountability. Therefore, being an active member of the safety and compliance team rather than just providing fire specialism is essential.

The responsibility will extend to deputising for the Senior Compliance Adviser that the role reports into.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

1. To develop an Estates Fire Safety plan which includes compliance for passive and active fire systems, specifically PPM for fire doors and stopping with monitoring, repair and long-term investment planning and the same for active fire systems.

2. To review fire risk assessments and prepare recommendations and action plans for remedial action where appropriate achieving agreement on recommendations from key stakeholders. To report on and/ or propose alternatives including management solutions or other risk mitigation measures.

3. To undertake inspections of premises across the Estate, review the adequacy and integrity of existing fire safety arrangements and update fire safety action plans.

4. To inspect fire safety systems maintained by the University or other agents, review the adequacy of existing maintenance arrangements and record keeping and provide recommendations for improvement.

5. To prepare detailed specifications for fire safety improvement programmes both passive and active and manage/ supervise delivery via the University framework supplier or main contractor.

6. To provide active management and auditing of the maintenance and replacement of firefighting and evacuation equipment and systems.

7. To develop and propose fire engineering or management solutions for operational and capital project delivery.

8. To provide high level cost information and contribute to the preparation of budgets for fire safety improvements.

9. To develop and maintain a library of information relating to fire safety management including records, layered drawings, maintenance records, test certificates, inspections, audit reports etc.

10. To audit management systems, report on findings and make recommendations for improvement.

11. Respond to incidents (Fire and wider safety and compliance where required) and all parties involved adequately instructed of actions required. Taking responsibility to implement corrective action where deemed necessary.

12. The role will also comprise responsibility and accountability for managing the hot works, fire alarm isolation permit systems amongst others and elements of the Authorised engineer role.  Consulting and collaborative working with the other Compliance Advisers will be important to ensure there is an aligned approach to the full Permit to Work system and High risk Activity System.

13. The post holder will be expected to undertake additional duties as required and which are commensurate with the grade and the expectation of the safety support needs of the Estates Directorate.

14. Training identified through the training needs analysis will cover appropriate fire related training as well as general safety training. The post holder will be expected to deliver all types of fire and wider safety and compliance training.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential:  

A1 Scottish credit and qualification framework level 9 (ordinary degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4) or equivalent in a relevant subject.

A2 Thorough knowledge of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, relevant codes of practice and British standards.

A3 Thorough knowledge of relevant fire safety standards contained in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 and Scottish Building Standards relating to fire safety.

A4 Knowledge of current Health and Safety legislation and workplace requirements.

Desirable: 

B1 Membership of a relevant industry body relating to safety or fire.

B2 Health and Safety qualification NEBOSH National Certificate or equivalent.

B3 Knowledge of the functions and operations of educational, science and research intensive buildings and the levels of risk associated with their day to day operation.

Skills 

Essential: 

C1 Highly organised with the ability to manage competing demands.

C2 Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels, provide leading advice in the wider aspects of this role, make sound judgements and recommendations and to influence colleagues where required.

C3 Strong audit and investigation skills to ensure that all procedures and incidents are effectively managed with recommendations for corrective action.

C4 Ability to lead change and implement new policies and procedures across the wide safety and compliance demands of the Directorate.

C5 Excellent IT skills with the ability to maintain and develop electronic record keeping systems.

C6 Sound problem and decision-making skills with the ability to diagnose problems and identify practical and workable solutions.

C7 Excellent budget planning, financial management and control skills in a corporate environment.

C8 Ability to produce and revise comprehensive documentation including policies and procedures.

C9 High level planning, analytical and problem-solving capability.

C10 Highly motivated with the ability to work independently but with the flexibility to contribute across professional boundaries.

C11 Well developed presentation skills with the ability to deliver meaningful training as part of the training plan the Safety and Compliance team will deliver.

C12 Ability to react to emergencies and be capable of leading and coordinating an effective response to ensure minimal disruption to business.

Desirable: 

D1 Ability to assess the risks quickly and balance the required controls commensurate with the risks in a practical way.

Experience 

Essential:  

E1 Demonstrable leadership, management and motivational experience.

E2 Must be able to demonstrate a broad range of experience in fire compliance and general safety management with relevant professional experience.

E3 Given the auditing and inspection nature of this role, experience in these areas is considered essential. A comprehensive knowledge of audit and inspection practices and evidence of applying such principals across fire safety management and wider safety compliance matters.

E4 Evidence of developing procedures and policies, permits and rolling out such programmes across a wider diverse range of departments.

Desirable: 

F1 Experience in carrying out a project manager/management or supervisory position covering Fire safety projects and wider safety and compliance issues.

F2 Technical lead on developing Emergency and Business Continuity procedures.

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 – £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.