Associate Director of Facilities Compliance & Emergency Coordination

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $112,000 - $112,000

Position Summary

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Associate Director of Facilities Compliance & Emergency Coordination, under the direction of the Executive Director of Campus Life Safety & Regulatory Compliance, is responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to facilities management and emergency preparedness. This role leads the development, management, support, and continuous improvement of compliance programs and emergency response plans to support a safe, resilient, and regulatory-compliant campus environment.

The Associate Director of Facilities Compliance & Emergency Coordination provides leadership and direction to the Compliance, Site Safety & Emergency Manager. They are responsible for evaluating existing compliance policies and programs, as well as developing new ones in response to changing regulations. Additionally, they are responsible for escalating risks to the Executive Director of Campus Life Safety & Regulatory Compliance to ensure the protection of staff, the environment, and CUIMC.

As the coach and mentor of the Compliance, Site Safety & Emergency Manager, they will assign facility safety inspections, field safety activities, and regulatory program tracking and reporting, and ensure their completion. They will oversee the training and implementation of informational documents, such as policies, programs, and procedures, and interact with the various Facilities Management teams.

Additionally, the successful candidate must be familiar with building fire protection and suppression systems, appliances, and basic building utility systems, including, but not limited to, vertical transportation, HVAC, communication, and internal emergency power systems that support both commercial and residential areas.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the entire Facilities Management team to promote worker safety in active work areas by identifying potential regulatory and safety issues, reviewing findings and corrective actions, and escalating significant concerns to the Executive Director of Campus Life Safety & Regulatory Compliance as needed.
• Supports the annual or as-needed planning, delivery, tracking, and evaluation of safety and compliance training for Facilities staff on regulatory and safety-related tasks.
• Supervises the Compliance, Site Safety & Emergency Manager, providing oversight, guidance, and support for all related activities and initiatives.
• Conducts regular audits and inspections of facilities and infrastructure to identify and mitigate compliance risks and recommend corrective actions. Spaces include mechanical equipment rooms, shops, supply rooms, and stock areas. Maintains documentation and records required for regulatory reporting, inspections, and internal audits.
• Conducts annual reviews of existing policies and programs, and assists in developing new ones in response to evolving regulations, operational changes, or the introduction of new equipment and technologies.
• Assists with all compliance-related activities associated with construction/renovation and maintenance projects, whether minor in scope and internally managed or as capital projects. Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local legislation and codes related to construction/renovation.
• Oversees construction site safety audits as performed by the compliance team. Reviews for accuracy and completeness. Ensures that effective interventions are planned when necessary and provides feedback to the Capital Project Management team.
• Serves as the FDNY-certified (F-89) Fire Life Safety (FLS)/Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Director for one or two designated commercial/Class B campus buildings, while also holding campus-wide responsibility for fire safety. As a recipient of FireWorks notifications and equipped with a portable radio, responds to all fire alarms and emergency events, makes public announcements in buildings with one-way communication systems, coordinates evacuations, and actively participates in fire drills under the direction of the Director of Fire Safety Operations. In certified buildings, ensures compliance with FDNY regulations and maintains emergency readiness through ongoing training, communication, and collaboration with building wardens, searchers, fire brigade members, and emergency personnel.
• Oversees the execution of the Fire Alarm System Maintenance and Central Station Service Provider contracts, including supervision of onsite vendor staff and coordination of scheduled services. Maintains a catalog of all fire safety and regulatory compliance-related service contracts and agreements, ensuring accurate tracking, renewal, and alignment with department standards.
• In concert with the Executive Director of Campus Life Safety & Regulatory Compliance, coordinates campus-wide emergency preparedness initiatives, including planning and facilitating drills, tabletop exercises, and training sessions for Facilities Management personnel. Supports the development and maintenance of continuity of operations plans and contributes to post-incident recovery efforts.
• Monitors emergency supplies and equipment readiness and maintains documentation of preparedness activities. Collaborates with the CUIMC EMOT team to support a unified emergency response framework.
• Attends meetings as a representative of the Executive Director of Campus Life Safety & Regulatory Compliance. Participates in briefings for the compliance team and assigns follow-up actions accordingly.
• The position is considered "essential personnel" and is required to provide administrative, management, and individual support, as well as various other duties, as needed, during and outside normal working hours, including institution closures and duties associated with emergencies and scheduled and unscheduled events.

Physical work is a primary part of the job. The work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require basic safety precautions. The work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, odors and/or loud noises. It is also conducted indoors and outdoors and may require wearing personal protective clothing and a respirator.

Minimum Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or related field preferred. Alternative combinations of education and experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree. A demonstrated progressive growth in management responsibilities, including direct personnel management within an organization associated with the facility service and/or construction industry during a minimum of a 5-year period, is required. Recent administrative and/or managerial experience in an academic or similar institution preferred.
• Candidate must have or be immediately eligible for the Certificate of Fitness as a Fire and Life Safety Director, and within 90 days, must pass the Fire Life Safety/EAP Director onsite test at a location to be determined by CUIMC.
• Candidate must possess or have the ability to obtain necessary certifications as required by federal, state, and local laws. This includes appropriate Certificates of Fitness for NYC facilities.
• Effective leadership, personnel management, and qualities reflective of a collaborative teamwork environment are crucial. The position requires excellent organizational skills, superior interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), and the ability and desire to work closely with all constituencies of the CUIMC and various external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated abilities and knowledge are required, including a high level of independence and collaboration in performing responsibilities, as well as strong analytical and reasoning skills. The skills needed to effectively work in a fast-paced, multi-building, service-oriented environment and establish/maintain relationships with diverse constituencies within an academic community are critical.
• Above-average understanding and skills related to PC-based hardware and software used in facilities management are essential, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PDF Tools, File Management, and Work Order management.
• Working knowledge of construction, architectural, and engineering plans and specifications, and building, fire, safety, and environmental codes.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.