Fire Protection Engineer

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Fire Protection Engineer to join our Environment Maintenance Control System team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

This Fire Protection Engineer effectively performs, both individually and in teams, to develop, implement, and maintain CWU Campus Fire Life Safety Systems, while also acting as Shop Lead over other life safety system technicians. This position will occasionally assist the Environmental Management Control Systems (EMCS) shop employees in their day-to-day automated control system maintenance, diagnostics, and logistical programming. The incumbent works independently on tasks and monitors progress against defined parameters and campus system standards. The duties, specific tasks or combinations of tasks are to be performed in a professional and efficient manner incorporating both personal integrity and mutual respect.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. Facilities and Skilled Trades employees directly affect the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by contributing to a sustainable campus environment and by supporting and creating spaces where students, faculty, and staff feel welcome, safe, and comfortable.

Job Duties

Fire Protection Engineer Responsibilities:

• Implement and maintain life safety and fire protection policies and procedures.
• Oversee full-time journey and/or workers in installation, repair, maintenance, and alteration of university life safety systems.
• Plan review, design and construction specification development. Review all plans and specifications for new construction and modifications to institutional buildings and facilities to ensure integration of required life safety and fire protection features.
• Manage Fire System Install Project(s) and schedule fire contractor work. Review all shop drawings and approve installations of fire protection systems, equipment and devices, fire alarm systems and life safety features.
• Provide technical guidance, fire preventative resources and code interpretation to Facilities Management staff and other departmental staff.
• Conduct operational tests on fire protection systems, develop testing plan, SOPs and related documents and documentation.
• Direct and coordinate fire prevention inspection programs on institutional buildings and facilities. Make detailed investigations of and maintain files regarding fires and other disasters to determine the cause, contributing factors, extent, and amount of loss with the help of Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue.
• Work as liaison between contractors, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), fire marshal, and public safety related to fire and life safety.
• Develop master plan and campus standards, based on latest life safety system technology.
• Review, develop and alter contractor contracts and standard agreements.
• Procurement of parts and services related to life safety systems.
• Write reports as required.
• Attend departmental meetings, safety meetings and actively participate in training sessions.
• Facilitate transparent communication between shop staff and supervisors.
• Respond in emergency situations.
• Work in cooperation with operations and maintenance staff, city employees, capital construction staff, engineering and inspection staff for capital construction and repair projects.
• Read plans and blueprints; determine scope of work, materials needed, their cost, and availability.
• Prepare accurate and itemized cost estimates. Review and receive all quotes from suppliers.
• May need to drive a service vehicle in congested areas.
• Maintain complete and accurate records pertaining to equipment maintenance, inventories of shop parts, materials, and supplies.

Lead Duties:

• Lead and instruct personnel performing various maintenance activities.
• Read, interpret, assign, and process work orders in a timely manner.
• Instruct personnel in the proper use of equipment and safety practices while maintaining compliance with applicable policies and procedures to provide a safe workplace.
• Lead team safety discussions.
• Communicate information to staff on an ongoing basis to influence staff engagement and to be part of a larger community.
• Perform additional duties in the absence of the Supervisor.
• Recognize value of and promotes engaged and welcoming workforce. Value and encourage a variety of perspectives, creativity, and teamwork.

Environmental Control Systems Shop Responsibilities:

• Assist Environmental Management Control Systems employees when needed. Perform programming, configuration and technical duties related to Automated HVAC Controls and Central Heating Digital control system. Work with Information Services (IS) staff and Facilities Management Department staff to keep essential hardware and software processes running and up to date.
• Work as a team with IS to keep current systems at the level of todays technology and keep essential functions operating.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or 2-year technical degree or apprenticeship program completion in related field.
• 2 years experience with fire protection systems or other closely related systems.
• Experience with procurement of associated goods and services.
• 2 years experience with reading and interpreting Federal, State and Local Life Safety Codes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Valid Washington State drivers license.
• Experience using Word, Excel, email, and/or similar software applications to produce written correspondence, documentation, create reports, receive and respond to email inquiries, report time, etc.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• NICET Level 2 in Fire Alarm Systems or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to pass NICET Level 1 in Water-based system layout within 6 months of being hired and maintain while employed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience with building life safety inspections and communicating with Authorities Having Jurisdiction.
• Fire Network experience.
• Experience in computer monitoring systems.
• Experience with Simplex Fire Alarm Systems.
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values.
• Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.

Competencies

• Perform our Best: Interact daily with faculty, students, staff, and others in the campus community in a professional manner. Treat others and be treated with respect; perform with integrity, honesty and professionalism; participate constructively in open communication; help to resolve issues and difficult situations in ways that reduce conflict and maintain good working relationships; improve work performance and take an active part in generating a mutually supportive environment. Recognize that variety is an asset and value cultural, physical, and professional differences.
• Leadership: Ability to plan, organize and coordinate the work of other employees while also promoting a positive working environment.
• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position is based on the range 63 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $76,608 and maximum annual salary of $102,996. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-4:00pm (1 hour lunch) / May vary depending on needs of the department / WFSE Bargaining Unit 1

Working Conditions: This position works independently and makes decisions daily to determine work assignments for themself and other life safety technicians. This is done by understanding and/or anticipating the needs of Facilities Maintenance and leadership team, campus departments and clients served. Projects and specific tasks may be assigned by the supervisor either verbally or in writing. Work is reviewed periodically by the supervisor to ensure department goals are being met.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: September 2, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Jeremiah Eilers

Title: Building Energy Manager

Email: Jeremiah.Eilers@cwu.edu

Phone: (509) 963-2357

Website: https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/facilities/capital-planning-projects/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

This position is part of a Washington Federation of State Employees Bargaining Unit I.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.