Fire/Life Safety Inspector & Emergency Management Coordinator

Job description

Location: Oakland, California

Travel: Local travel throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area, including Oakland and surrounding communities.

About dss+

At dss+, you don’t just deliver projects. You help save lives, improve performance, and build a more sustainable future.

We are a purpose-led global consultancy helping organizations solve complex challenges across Operational Risk, Operational Excellence, and Sustainability. Our Transportation team provides specialized expertise in system safety, security, fire/life safety, emergency management, and operational performance.

Why This Role

We are seeking a Fire/Life Safety Inspector & Emergency Management Coordinator to join our team in Oakland, California, supporting our work with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) . In this role, you will work closely with BART’s Department of Fire Life Safety and serve as an extension of their team. You will coordinate with BART stakeholders, local first responders, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to support fire/life safety inspections, emergency preparedness and response, incident investigations, training, and related activities. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute directly to the safety and emergency preparedness of a major public transportation system and the communities it serves.

What You’ll Experience at dss+

Meaningful Impact

Support work that contributes directly to the safety and emergency preparedness of BART employees, passengers, first responders, and surrounding communities.

Trusted Expertise

Work alongside professionals across fire/life safety, emergency management, transportation, system safety, and operations.

Hands-On Experience

Work across BART stations, administrative buildings, maintenance facilities, rail yards, and other operational environments throughout the Bay Area.

A Collaborative Culture

Join a purpose-led organization where safety, teamwork, expertise, and different perspectives are valued.

Job requirements

Your Impact

Fire/Life Safety & Emergency Management

• Coordinate and support fire/life safety inspections, emergency preparedness activities, drills, exercises, investigations, and meetings.

• Work closely with BART departments, local fire and emergency response agencies, first responders, and AHJs.

• Support emergency response planning, including emergency operations and evacuation plans, inter-agency coordination, policies, and procedures.

• Participate in fire, accident, and incident investigations, including fact-finding, reporting, corrective actions, and follow-up.

• Support Fire/Life Safety committees, stakeholder meetings, and related contract and task management activities.

Inspections & Corrective Actions

• Coordinate and support fire/life safety inspections and assessments of BART facilities, equipment, and systems.

• Document inspection findings and track non-conformances and corrective actions through closure.

• Support the administration of findings and Corrective Action Plans through BART systems, including Maximo and its Safety Management System.

• Maintain accurate schedules, records, meeting minutes, findings, and other required documentation.

Training & Coordination

• Support the development of fire/life safety and emergency management training programs and materials.

• Deliver classroom, virtual, and on-the-job training to BART staff and local first responders as required.

• Help stakeholders understand BART emergency response systems, operational hazards, inspection procedures, and effective response practices.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of relevant experience in Fire/Life Safety, emergency management, emergency response, inspections, or related work.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Additional relevant experience and/or certifications may be considered as a substitute on a case-by-case basis.

• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, training, and/or certifications supporting Fire/Life Safety facility inspections and emergency management activities.

• Experience planning, scheduling, coordinating, and supporting emergency preparedness and response activities.

• Experience working effectively with local first responders, fire departments, public agencies, and other stakeholders.

• Knowledge of the Bay Area jurisdictions in which BART operates.

• General knowledge of related areas such as System Safety, Risk Management, Systems Security, Construction, and Operations.

• Strong organizational, scheduling, coordination, documentation, and project management skills.

• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, SharePoint, and similar business systems.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to visit active construction sites, maintenance facilities, rail yards, tracks/right-of-way, and other operational environments, including walking on uneven surfaces and climbing stairs.

• Ability to drive and work from different locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to successfully complete both dss+ and BART security background investigations.

Work Location & Travel

This position is based in Oakland, California and requires the ability to report to BART Headquarters in Oakland or other BART locations approximately 2–3 days per week, as required by the BART Director of Fire Life Safety.

Local travel throughout the San Francisco Bay Area will be required to support inspections, emergency response activities, training, and meetings with first responder and government agencies. Travel outside the Bay Area is not expected.

Compensation & Benefits

dss+ offers competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications. Benefits for eligible full-time employees include healthcare and dental benefits, disability coverage, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution.

A Bit More About Us

dss+ is a global operations management consulting firm helping organizations improve safety, operational performance, and sustainability.

We combine deep technical and industry expertise with practical implementation to help our clients manage risk, strengthen resilience, and achieve lasting results.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is respected, valued, and able to contribute and grow.