Fire Alarm Technician Columbia Fire LLC Seattle, WA Job Details Full-time $25 - $75 an hour 4 hours ago Benefits Paid training Health savings account AD&D insurance Paid holidays Dental insurance Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Tools provided Pet insurance Qualifications Digital multimeters Customer communication English Company vehicle operation High school diploma or GED Driver's License Electrical layout diagram interpretation Scissor lift

Full Job Description Position:

Fire Alarm Technician — Trainee, Technician, Senior, or Master. Level is assigned at hire based on verified experience, licenses, and certifications.

Company:

Columbia Fire, LLC Location:

Seattle, WA. Field-based. Most work is within roughly 100 miles of Seattle. Not a remote or hybrid position.

Reports To:

Division Manager Employment Type:

Full-time, hourly, non-exempt

Bargaining Unit Status:

Non-union. Fire alarm positions at Columbia Fire are not covered by the Local 699 collective bargaining agreement.

Travel:

Periodic. Roughly 5-10% of your time on work outside the 100-mile radius, which can include Oregon and Idaho. Manufacturer training is usually out of state — most Edwards classes are held in Florida — and cross-training on extinguishers and kitchen suppression happens at our sister offices in Oregon or Idaho. About Columbia Fire Columbia Fire designs, installs, inspects, and services fire and life safety systems out of Seattle. We were founded in 2005. We are part of Columbia Safety Services, a multi-state regional company that also includes Valley Fire Control in Albany and Newport, Oregon and Spokane, Washington, with an office in St Maries, Idaho, and FFF Protection in Greater Boise, with an office in Nampa, Idaho. Our core values guide how we operate: Customer First, Grit, Effective Communication, Own the Outcome, Take Pride in the Work, and Do the Right Thing. Edwards is our primary fire alarm platform and every one of our offices is an Edwards Strategic Partner. We also install and service non-proprietary Potter, Fire-Lite, and Silent Knight when a project calls for it. Fire alarm and service work is where the company is investing, and we will tell you that plainly rather than let you find out after you start. Why This Role Exists Our alarm inspection, service, and install work is growing faster than our licensed technicians can absorb it. At the same time, the pool of fully licensed and certified fire alarm technicians in the Puget Sound region is small and mostly already employed somewhere. Sitting around waiting for a finished technician to come loose is not a hiring plan. So we are opening this seat at every level, and we are being direct about what each level means. If you are already licensed, certified, and able to run your own truck, we want you and we will pay for what you bring. If you have six months of low-voltage or electrical work behind you and you want to learn this trade the right way, we will train you, pay for your licenses, and put you next to someone who knows what they are doing. What we will not do is pretend those two people are doing the same job at the same wage. The tiers below spell out what each level requires and what it pays. About the Role This is field work in commercial buildings — offices, schools, hospitals, high-rises, warehouses, restaurants, and industrial facilities. You will install, test, troubleshoot, program, and commission fire alarm systems. Some weeks are inspection-heavy. Some are install-heavy. Some are a service truck and a list of calls. The mix moves with the workload and with what you are licensed to do on your own, so nobody here gets stuck doing one repetitive task for a year. Most of your work will be within about 100 miles of Seattle. The remaining 5-10% is work outside that radius, training with third parties, or cross-training at one of our sister offices. If you are joining as a Trainee Expect to be cross-trained from the beginning rather than parked on one task. Your first year covers four things: Fire alarm installation — conduit (EMT and rigid), wire pulling, terminations, device mounting Assisting on fire alarm inspections and tests under a licensed technician Portable fire extinguisher inspection, maintenance, and recharge Kitchen wet chemical pre-engineered suppression systems The extinguisher and kitchen suppression trade is taught inside Valley Fire Control, which has decades of it, so part of that training will happen at our Oregon or Idaho offices. We pay for the travel, the training, and the certifications. Trainees work alongside a licensed technician, not alone. Washington requires it and it is also how the trade is actually learned. Trainees do not get a company vehicle — you will report to the Seattle shop or ride with the technician you are assigned to. Once you move off Trainee status, a take-home company vehicle comes with the job. What You'll Do Inspection and testing Perform annual, semiannual, quarterly, and monthly fire alarm inspections and tests in accordance with NFPA 72 and the adopted local code Identify deficiencies, explain them in plain language to the building owner or property manager, and write them up clearly enough that someone can quote the repair Produce complete, accurate inspection reports on the day of the work — the report is the deliverable, not an afterthought Coordinate with the authority having jurisdiction on acceptance tests and inspection scheduling Service and troubleshooting Diagnose and repair ground faults, opens, shorts, trouble conditions, and nuisance alarms Replace and reprogram panels, devices, power supplies, and notification appliances Complete monitoring takeovers, including dialers, cellular and IP communicators, and signal verification with the central station Take after-hours and on-call work in rotation once you are able to work independently Installation Install fire alarm systems — raceway, cable, devices, panels, and terminations — to the approved drawings and submittals Bend and install EMT and rigid conduit to a standard you would be willing to put your name on Work off approved shop drawings and flag conflicts in the field before they become change orders Programming and commissioning Program, download, and commission fire alarm systems, primarily Edwards, along with Potter, Fire-Lite, and Silent Knight as projects require Verify sequence of operations, including HVAC shutdown, elevator recall, door holders, and releasing functions where applicable Complete point-to-point verification and record-of-completion documentation Everything else that keeps the work moving Document labor, materials, and findings in our work order software on an iPad the same day Keep the scheduler, project manager, and customer informed — especially when a job is going sideways Train and back up technicians below your level Work safely and stop work when it is not safe. Zero injuries is the company's stated target, not a poster in the break room. Who You Are You can work without someone standing over you, and you know the difference between working independently and going silent. You want to understand how the system works, not just follow the steps in the manual. You can diagnose. Parts-swapping until the trouble light goes out is not troubleshooting. You are willing to be coached and willing to coach. Both matter here. You can talk to a building engineer, a fire marshal, and a restaurant owner in the same day and be understood by all three. You show up. Inspections are scheduled around the customer's building, not around us. Who Struggles Here We would rather you screen yourself out now than in month three. If you need a finished, documented process handed to you before you can start, this will be frustrating. Our systems are in place — Acumatica, ServiceTrade, HubSpot — but the task-level procedures around them are still being built, and you will be asked to help build them. People who have spent an entire career inside a very large company with a training department and a playbook for everything generally do not enjoy this. If your instinct when a job goes wrong is to go quiet rather than pick up the phone, you will fail here. We can fix almost any field problem we hear about early. If crawling through an attic in August, standing in a walk-in freezer in January, and working over a fryer line at 10 p.m. are dealbreakers, tell us now. That is real fire alarm and suppression work in commercial buildings. If you want to be licensed and independent within six months of starting with no prior fire alarm experience, the math does not work. Washington's 06 Limited Energy specialty takes 4,000 hours of supervised experience. We will get you there, but not on that timeline. If you are applying as a Trainee and expect a take-home truck on day one, this is not that posting. If you would rather run sprinkler pipe than pull low-voltage cable, look at our Fire Sprinkler Fitter posting instead. That is a Local 699 bargaining unit position and a different trade. Minimum Qualifications These apply to every level, including Trainee. At least six months of paid experience in fire alarm, low voltage, or electrical work — installation, inspection and testing, service, or programming. Any one of those four counts. Working knowledge of basic electrical theory: voltage, current, resistance, series and parallel circuits, and how to use a multimeter. Able to read and work from wiring diagrams, riser diagrams, and manufacturer installation instructions. High school diploma or GED. Washington State electrical trainee certificate issued by L&I, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire. We pay the fee and the continuing education. Valid driver's license and a driving record that is insurable under our commercial auto policy. Able to read, write, and speak English well enough to work from code references and manufacturer documentation, write inspection reports a fire marshal will accept, and hold a direct conversation with a customer on site. Comfortable working from an iPad and cloud-based work order software, and able to write a clear email. Legally authorized to work in the United States. Physical requirements These are essential functions of the job. See the reasonable accommodation statement at the end of this posting. Climb and work from ladders, scaffolds, scissor lifts, and boom lifts Lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and handle conduit, wire spools, and extinguishers repeatedly through a shift Work in attics, crawlspaces, mechanical rooms, above ceilings, in confined spaces, and in high-rise stairwells Work in commercial kitchens, walk-in coolers and freezers, unconditioned warehouses, and outdoors in Pacific Northwest weather Stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and reach overhead for most of a shift Distinguish wire colors and read small print on device labels and panel displays Pre-employment requirements An offer of employment is contingent on completing a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug screen. Our drug screen does not test for cannabis. A background check result does not automatically disqualify anyone — we review what comes back individually, in relation to the duties of this position, and we will talk with you about it before making a decision. Preferred Qualifications None of these are required to apply. Each one moves you up the wage scale. Full Edwards manufacturer training and current certifications, including EST3, EST4, iO, and air sampling platforms. Certifications that transfer with you are worth real money here — see Compensation. Washington 06 Limited Energy or 01 General journey-level electrical certification Seattle FA1 Certificate of Competency NICET certification in Fire Alarm Systems, any level Oregon Limited Energy Technician (LEA), Idaho Limited Energy Electrical, or Nevada Limited Energy Electrical license Seattle FEX-1 or FEX-2 (portable extinguishers) and Seattle E-4KH (kitchen suppression and spray booths) Experience with Starlink, Telguard, and AES communicators High-rise fire alarm inspection and testing experience, including stairwell pressurization and smoke control Special hazards and releasing systems: clean agent, pre-action, deluge, industrial suppression Fixed wet and dry chemical suppression, emergency lighting, and exit sign work Commercial intrusion alarm, access control, CCTV, or nurse call experience EMT and rigid conduit bending and installation Prior direct dealings with authorities having jurisdiction, permitting, or inspection scheduling Completion of an electrical, low-voltage, or fire protection apprenticeship; trade school or a technical degree Professional fluency in Spanish or another second language Compensation Pay range for this position: $25.00 to $75.00 per hour. That is a wide range because this posting covers four levels. Where you land is not a negotiation about how you feel about your own experience — it is set by what we can verify: your documented experience, the licenses you hold, the manufacturer certifications that transfer with you, and what you can demonstrate in the field and on a panel. We will tell you which tier we are offering and why before you accept. Movement between tiers is based on demonstrated capability, not time served. Some people move in a year. Some take three. We would rather promote you out of a tier than keep you in it.

On Edwards specifically:

because Edwards is our primary platform, a technician who arrives with full Edwards manufacturer training and current, transferable certifications starts at the upper end of whatever tier their licensing supports, and in some cases it moves them a tier. If you do not have it, we pay for it — the classes, the travel, and the time. Tier 1 —

Trainee Fire Alarm Technician:

$25.00 to $50.00 per hour Works under a licensed technician. No company vehicle at this level. The Trainee range covers five steps. You are placed at hire based on what you can already do, not on how long you have held a job, and you move up when you can demonstrate the work in the next step — not on an anniversary date. Within each step, the top of the range goes to people who bring transferable manufacturer certifications, Edwards above all. Step 1 — First year: $25.00 to $30.00 per hour Entry point. Six months of fire alarm, low-voltage, or electrical work in any capacity gets you here.

You will be working on:

tool and material handling, EMT bending and conduit runs under direction, wire pulling, basic terminations, device mounting, and jobsite safety and housekeeping Portable extinguisher inspection and recharge fundamentals Assisting on fire alarm inspections and tests as a second set of hands Step 2 — Second year: $30.00 to $35.00 per hour Terminate initiating and notification circuits without rework Read and work from riser diagrams, device schedules, and submittals Use a multimeter confidently for voltage, continuity, and resistance Run a full portable extinguisher route independently; Seattle FEX-1 or FEX-2 held or in progress Complete monthly and quarterly fire alarm inspection tasks under a licensed technician Step 3 — Third year: $35.00 to $40.00 per hour Troubleshoot ground faults, opens, and shorts down to the device Lay out and install a small addressable system with minimal direction Perform annual inspection tasks with a licensed technician signing the report Inspect and service kitchen wet chemical pre-engineered suppression systems; Seattle E-4KH held or in progress Panel programming and downloads on the bench or on systems not yet in service Step 4 — Fourth year: $40.00 to $45.00 per hour Program and download Edwards panels on live systems under supervision Complete point-to-point verification and record-of-completion paperwork Write inspection reports that need no rewriting before they go to the customer Handle service calls with phone support rather than a second technician on site Manufacturer certifications in hand, Edwards preferred; NICET I or II in Fire Alarm Systems Step 5 — Fifth year: $45.00 to $50.00 per hour Working at Technician level in everything except licensing Accumulating the 4,000 supervised hours toward Washington 06 Limited Energy certification Seattle FA1 Certificate of Competency held or in progress Capable of running inspections and service calls with a licensed technician available by phone rather than on site When the 06, the

FA1, NICET

II, and EST4 are complete, you move to Tier 2. You do not wait for a review cycle. Tier 2 —

Fire Alarm Technician:

$55.00 to $62.00 per hour Runs inspections, service calls, and programming independently, diagnoses and resolves system problems in the field without backup, and gets a take-home company vehicle.

Requires:

Washington 06 Limited Energy electrical certification Seattle FA1 Certificate of Competency

NICET II

— Fire Alarm Systems EST4 programming certification with demonstrated capability on live systems Able to install and program Starlink, Telguard, and AES communicators independently Oregon Limited Energy Technician (LEA) license, or ability to obtain it Tier 3 —

Senior Fire Alarm Technician:

$65.00 to $68.00 per hour Advanced technical work and field leadership. Everything in Tier 2, plus: Idaho Limited Energy Electrical license Nevada Limited Energy Electrical license

NICET III

— Fire Alarm Systems Air sampling manufacturer certification with demonstrated programming capability Proven lead on high-rise fire alarm inspections: at least seven buildings over 75 feet, run independently or as lead inspector, with no customer-impacting issues during testing Tier 4 —

Master Fire Alarm Technician:

$70.00 to $75.00 per hour Top of the field ladder. Complex systems, high-risk work, and accountability for project execution. Everything in Tier 3, plus:

NICET IV

— Fire Alarm Systems Demonstrated performance as a general foreman: oversight of at least four completed projects over $100,000 each, meeting both customer satisfaction and gross margin targets, including direct supervision of at least two installers on consecutive projects Stairwell pressurization manufacturer training with demonstrated programming and testing capability Special hazards releasing systems competency, including testing and programming without accidental discharge Full wage scale details, including the specific competencies each step requires, are provided during the hiring process. Why This Role Works The wage scale is written down, step by step, all the way from a first-year trainee to a master technician. You can see exactly what the next step pays and exactly what it takes to get there. We pay for the licenses and certifications that make you more valuable, including the ones that follow you if you ever leave. The work varies. You are not going to spend three years doing nothing but annual inspections. Trainees get cross-trained across alarm, extinguishers, and kitchen suppression, which is a broader foundation than most first fire protection jobs give you. You will have real ownership of your jobs and real access to the people making decisions. This is not a company where a technician's name is unknown at the top. We are building a formidable multi-state fire and life safety platform, and the alarm and service side is where that is happening. Benefits Medical, dental, and vision through Regence BlueShield, Delta Dental of Washington, and VSP, available to employees scheduled 30 or more hours per week, effective the first of the month following or coinciding with hire Columbia Fire pays approximately 90% of the employee premium on the HSA-qualified plan, plus 75% of dependent premiums on the HDHP and 60% on the PPO Health savings account with a $600 annual company contribution through HealthEquity 401(k) through Vestwell with employer match up to 3.5% Paid time off starting at 10 days and increasing with length of service Eight paid holidays Company-paid basic life and AD&D coverage of $20,000 Employee assistance program through SupportLinc, telehealth through Doctor on Demand, and optional pet insurance Take-home company vehicle with fuel, maintenance, and insurance once you are past Trainee status iPad, laptop, and tools provided Paid training, certifications, license fees, continuing education, and travel Schedule and Work Environment Full-time, Monday through Friday, day shift Overtime is available and does happen, particularly around inspection deadlines and project turnovers After-hours and weekend work as projects and customer buildings require — some testing simply cannot happen during business hours On-call rotation once you can work independently In-person only. This work cannot be done remotely. Work is performed in occupied commercial buildings and on active construction sites, in conditions that range from climate-controlled offices to freezers, kitchens, attics, and rooftops Apply Send a resume, and tell us two things in a sentence or two each: what you have actually worked on, and what you want to be doing in three years. If you hold licenses or manufacturer certifications, list them — that is what determines your tier and your starting wage. If you are applying as a Trainee, say so; you are not competing against the licensed applicants. Columbia Fire, LLC

• 9520 10th Ave S, Ste 150, Seattle, WA 98108-5067
• 206.232.8569
• www.

columbiafire.net Equal Employment Opportunity Columbia Fire, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status, use of a trained service animal, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions — including recruiting, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, and discipline — are based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Reasonable Accommodation We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this position, please contact us and we will work with you to identify an appropriate accommodation. At-Will Employment Employment with Columbia Fire, LLC is at-will. Either the employee or the company may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice. Nothing in this job description or posting creates a contract of employment or a guarantee of employment for any specific duration.