HLS Consultant

Position Title: Health Life Safety Consultant

Reports To: HLS Coordinator

Terms of Employment: School year

Location: South Cook ISC 4

Purpose:  The Health/Life Safety Consultant provides technical expertise and consultation to the Regional Office of Education, local school districts, architects, engineers, and contractors regarding compliance with the Illinois Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools. The consultant assists with annual inspections, construction plan reviews, building permit processes, occupancy approvals, and technical guidance to ensure safe, healthy, and code-compliant educational facilities throughout the region.

The consultant serves as a trusted advisor to school districts by interpreting Illinois School Code, ISBE regulations, Office of the State Fire Marshal requirements, and other applicable federal, state, and local building and safety standards.

Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of Illinois Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools.
• Experience interpreting building plans and construction documents.
• Experience working with public school facilities preferred.

Preferred

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in educational facilities, school construction, architecture, engineering, code enforcement, or facilities management.
• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management, Building Technology, or related field preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: *other duties may be assigned

Health/Life Safety Compliance

• Conduct annual Health/Life Safety inspections of public school facilities.
• Review inspection findings and assist districts with corrective action plans.
• Interpret Illinois Health/Life Safety Code requirements for school districts.
• Monitor district compliance with identified Health/Life Safety deficiencies.
• Maintain inspection documentation and required state reporting.

Building Plan Review

• Review architectural and engineering plans for new construction, additions, renovations, and remodeling projects.
• Verify compliance with Illinois School Code, Illinois Administrative Code Part 180, ADA requirements, accessibility standards, and applicable life safety codes.
• Provide recommendations to architects, engineers, and school officials regarding code compliance.
• Coordinate plan review revisions as necessary.

Construction & Building Permits

• Assist in processing school construction permit applications.
• Review required documentation prior to issuance of building permits.
• Participate in construction progress inspections as needed.
• Assist with occupancy inspections and recommendations for issuance of occupancy permits.

Technical Assistance

• Serve as the regional resource for Health/Life Safety questions.
• Provide technical consultation to school administrators, facility directors, architects, engineers, and maintenance personnel.
• Interpret changes in Illinois School Code and ISBE Health/Life Safety regulations.
• Develop guidance documents and best practice recommendations.

Training & Professional Development

• Develop and deliver workshops for district maintenance directors, administrators, and facilities personnel.
• Provide training on Health/Life Safety inspection expectations.
• Educate districts regarding code changes and compliance timelines.
• Present at regional meetings and conferences.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Illinois State Board of Education.
• Coordinate with the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
• Work with local municipalities, architects, engineers, and contractors.
• Assist Regional Office staff with compliance initiatives.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of inspections, permits, amendments, and occupancy approvals.
• Prepare written reports and recommendations.
• Monitor project status and compliance deadlines.
• Assist with annual reporting requirements to ISBE.

Additional Responsibilities

• Respond to district emergencies involving facility safety concerns.
• Assist with review of temporary classroom approvals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT *Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regularly required to talk and hear to exchange information in person and by telephone.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or operate standard office equipment.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop or kneel.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, files).
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• Work is generally performed in a standard office setting with moderate noise levels (e.g., conversations, printers, phones).
• The position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Duties may involve occasional travel between work sites, schools, or off-site meetings.
• Work hours are typically during the standard business day, but occasional evening or weekend work may be required for meetings or events.
• The work environment is generally climate controlled and ergonomically equipped.