Workplace Safety & Fire Safety Manager (FSM)

As one of the leading international schools in Singapore, GESS is home to students from over 70 nations worldwide. We are for many families the home away from home and we are very happy that they are part of our school community which is based on mutual support and solidarity. With our language programme, we support our students to nurture this part of their identity and want to preserve the opportunity that they can grow up with multiple languages to be best prepared for an international environment. With the German International Abitur or the IB Programme they are perfectly prepared for their career after school. Our students enjoy lifelong learning and we take pride in our GESS values of respect, openness and diversity which our students will nurture in their life after school.

We were awarded with the “Deutsche Schulpreis” (German school prize) 2022, which was given to us for our extraordinary concept according to their motto “Make teaching better”. We stand out as the only German school abroad nominated for this award.

The Workplace Safety & Fire Safety Manager (FSM) is responsible for ensuring a safe, compliant, and well-prepared school environment for students, staff, and visitors. This role oversees fire safety compliance, workplace safety & health (WSH), emergency preparedness, and regulatory coordination, ensuring the school meets all statutory and best-practice safety requirements in Singapore.

Develop, implement, and regularly review the Emergency Response Plan (ERP).

Plan, conduct, and evaluate fire drills in line with SCDF and school requirements.

Coordinate evacuation procedures appropriate for:

• Early Years and Primary students
• Secondary students
• Staff, visitors, and contractors
• Serve as incident lead and assist the Site Incident Manager (Head of Facility Management) and the site incident controller (Facility Engineering Manager )during fire or emergency situations.

 

Assist in drafting the Risk Management Plan in accordance with the code of practice for risk management.

Implement and maintain the school’s Workplace Safety & Health (WSH)

Work in collaboration with the school risk manager and ensure safe practices are implemented and followed for all school operations.

Monitor safety practices for on site works.

Manage incident reporting, investigations, and corrective actions.

Ensure compliance with MOM WSH regulations and school safety policies.

Appoint, train, and manage:

• Emergency and response Team
• Deliver regular safety training and briefings for staff and Emergency Response Team (ERT)
• Ensure the emergency response plan followed and practiced
• Ensure safety and fire induction for:
  • New employees
  • Substitute/relief teachers
  • Contractors and service providers
  • Promote a proactive safety-first culture across the school community.

   

Maintain and update:

• Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
• Risk assessments
• Incident and near-miss records
• Prepare for and support:
  • SCDF inspections
  • MOM or WSH audits
  • Internal and accreditation audits (e.g. CIS…)
  • Track non-compliance regulations.

   

Provide safety oversight for:

• School events and performances
• Examinations
• After-hours and weekend activities
• Review PTW and hot works permits related to safety and temporary high-risk activities.
• Review safety implications of renovations, fit-outs, and construction works.
• Advise school leadership on risk mitigation and safety planning.

SCDF-certified Fire Safety Manager, registered and in good standing.

Safety Officer qualification recognized under MOM / WSH framework.

Strong working knowledge of:

• Fire Code and regulations.
• Workplace Safety & Health regulations.

Experience in a school, campus, commercial establishment or large public building environment preferred.

Ability to communicate effectively with:

• School leadership
• Teaching and non-teaching staff
• Regulators and contractors
• Organized, calm, and decisive under pressure.

Fair Recruitment and Safeguarding: We are committed to fair recruitment practices and safeguarding the welfare of all students. We ensure that our hiring processes are free from discrimination and bias on the basis of age, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, caregiving responsibilities, race, religion, language or disability. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we conduct thorough background checks on all candidates which include criminal background checks in all countries lived and worked in for the last ten years, as well as reference checks. Any offer is subject to the satisfactory completion of such checks.  Our school prioritises the safety and well-being of our students, and we expect all staff members to uphold these values.