Symons Fire Protection, Inc. is a premier, full-service fire-life safety contractor based in San Diego, CA. For over 30 years, we have specialized in the design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of residential and commercial fire sprinkler and fire alarm/low voltage systems across Southern California.
We pride ourselves on operational excellence, high-quality craftsmanship, and unwavering safety standards. We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to providing opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and build a rewarding career in the fire protection industry.
How We’ll Take Care of You:
- 401(k) + Company Matching
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and AD&D Insurance, including FREE Employee Only premium for SIMNSA and Kaiser Permanente Bronze Base medical plans
- Vacation, Holidays, Birthday Holiday, and Sick Pay
- Discretionary Bonus Program
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Opportunities for career advancement within the fire protection industry
- Company Celebrations, including summer picnic and holiday events
- Employee Referral Program
- FREE Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
- FREE Onsite Gym
- FREE premium coffee and snacks
Competitive compensation based on experience, qualifications, and technical knowledge.
Job SummaryThe Design Coordinator Assistant provides administrative, technical, and project coordination support to the Fire Sprinkler Design and Project Management teams. This position assists with preparing, organizing, tracking, and coordinating fire sprinkler design documents and project information from project award through design approval and construction.
The Design Coordinator Assistant helps ensure drawings, submittals, project information, and communications are accurate, organized, and completed on schedule. The position works closely with Fire Sprinkler Designers, Design Coordinators, Project Managers, field personnel, customers, general contractors, architects, engineers, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).
This role is intended to develop foundational knowledge of fire sprinkler systems, applicable codes and standards, construction documents, design processes, and project coordination while providing dependable support to the design department.
Duties and responsibilities may be changed at any time based on business needs.
QualificationsRequired Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 1+ year of experience in an office, construction, engineering, design, or project coordination environment.
- Skilled in managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Ability to work effectively with designers, project managers, field personnel, customers, contractors, and vendors.
- Skilled in following established procedures and identifying when additional direction is needed.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced construction environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience in fire protection, fire sprinkler, fire alarm, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or construction industries.
- Experience with construction drawings, submittals, RFIs, change orders, or document control.
- Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar drafting software.
- Familiarity with NFPA standards, particularly NFPA 13.
- Experience working with general contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, or AHJs.
- Previous experience supporting a design, engineering, estimating, or project management department
Job Duties and Functions:
Design Department Support
- Assist Fire Sprinkler Designers and Design Coordinators with day-to-day design and project coordination activities.
- Organize and maintain project design files, drawings, specifications, correspondence, and related documentation.
- Assist with downloading, uploading, distributing, and tracking project drawings and documents.
- Help maintain current drawing sets and ensure superseded documents are properly identified and archived. Maintain accurate project records in company systems.
- Assist with preparing drawings and documents for submission.
- Coordinate the distribution and tracking of design documents between internal teams and external project partners through the design process.
- Support the preparation of design packages, submittal packages, and project documentation.
Project Coordination
- Assist Design Coordinators and Project Managers with tracking design milestones, due dates, and outstanding items. Monitor project correspondence and route information to the appropriate team members.
- Maintain project schedules and design-related tracking logs.
- Assist with tracking RFIs, submittals, review comments, approvals, and resubmittals.
- Follow up on outstanding information required to advance projects.
- Help coordinate information between the design department, project management, estimating, purchasing, field operations, and customers.
- Assist in identifying missing or conflicting project information and escalate issues to the appropriate team member.
- Maintain organized records of project decisions, revisions, approvals, and correspondence.
Drawing and Technical Support
- Assist with basic preparation and modification of fire sprinkler drawings under the direction of qualified Designers or Design Coordinators.
- Help compare architectural and structural plans against fire sprinkler drawings to identify potential coordination issues.
- Assist with maintaining drawing backgrounds and reference files.
- Learn basic fire sprinkler symbols, terminology, system components, and design practices.
- Develop familiarity with construction plans, reflected ceiling plans, architectural plans, structural plans, and related project documents.
- Learn the fundamentals of applicable NFPA standards, local requirements, and project specifications.
Submittal and Approval Support
- Assist with preparing fire sprinkler design submittals for review.
- Track submittal dates, review comments, approvals, revisions, and resubmittals.
- Assist with distributing approved drawings and documents to the appropriate internal and external parties.
- Maintain accurate records of AHJ comments and approval status.
- Help ensure required documentation is complete before submission.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Assist with data entry, reporting, document filing, and project tracking.
- Assist with maintaining department schedules and workload tracking.
- Support continuous improvement of design department procedures and processes.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Design Manager, Design Coordinator, or Project Manager
- No Third-Party Agency Solicitation.
- This position is open to local candidates currently residing in the Southern California area.
- Candidates must be able to reliably report to the office and assigned project locations as required.
- Remote work is not available for this position
Symons Fire Protection, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of legally protected characteristics.
M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, or one to two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination
- AutoCAD training and experience
- Computer-Aided Design experience or equivalent design experience
- Ability to create accurate and detailed technical drawings
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, construction documents, plans, specifications, contracts, and submittals
- Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations for design, estimating, measurements, quantities, and project requirements
- Proficiency with basic computer skills and common business software applications
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
- Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
- Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, mathematical reasoning, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines
- Valid driver's license and excellent driving record
- Previous experience in fire sprinkler design, engineering, estimating, construction, or a related field
- Experience designing and calculating fire sprinkler, standpipe, and fire pump systems
- Experience estimating fire sprinkler systems
- NICET Level I certification
- Knowledge of fire sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, and fire pumps
- Knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal codes and standards
What We Do
Symons Fire Protection, Inc. is a leading fire-life safety contractor serving Southern California. The company specializes in the design, installation, repair, and maintenance of fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems for residential and commercial properties. Operating from San Diego and Anaheim, they provide comprehensive fire suppression services, including inspections and engineering, to ensure properties meet all safety and regulatory standards.
