Fire Safety Specialist

Fire Safety Specialist

The City of Orange Fire Department is looking for a professional, detail oriented, self-disciplined Fire Safety Specialist. The ideal candidate must be comfortable in a highly structured working environment, have the ability to work independently, and have the ability to be a part of a cohesive work team. Please note, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to a final offer of employment.

Under general supervision, inspects institutions, industrial, commercial, and residential day care properties to determine compliance with appropriate fire prevention codes, regulations, and standards; enforces codes and coordinates plan check of commercial, industrial, and residential new and existing buildings; conducts training sessions for the public in fire prevention; and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from the Deputy Fire Marshal. Exercises no supervision of staff. May exercise technical and functional supervision over and provide training to volunteers.

Performs technical fire safety inspections of industrial, commercial, and residential day care properties, and various other institutions and places of assembly to determine compliance with Federal, State, and local fire and building codes.

Performs plan checks and reviews of building modifications, new building construction, and various fire protection and detection systems for compliance with the adopted Fire Code and local ordinances.

Interacts and communicates with City staff, architects, engineers, builders, contractors, and developers to assist in the Fire Prevention Bureau plan check process.

Schedules new construction and tenant improvement inspections with contractors; identifies and verifies corrections required to process appropriate permits; documents deviations from plans and corresponding corrections; communicates with other staff as necessary.

Investigates complaints of Fire Code violations and hazards; enforces codes to ensure abatement of identified violations and hazards.

Serves as coordinator for assigned programs, including new construction inspection, high-rise inspections, weed abatement, fuel modification, care institutions and / or facilities inspection, and plan review; assists other staff in other areas as needed.

Develops, monitors, and evaluates a volunteer program for the Fire Prevention Bureau; assesses division needs; develops recruitment tools; reviews, screens, and interviews applicants; develops and implements a volunteer training program; assigns and prepares volunteer schedules; maintains volunteer records and statistical data; develops and implements special volunteer activities.

Researches records within areas of responsibility; gathers, assembles, updates, and distributes a variety of records, documents, forms, and data as requested; prepares a variety of reports.

Provides general information regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations, including responding appropriately to complaints, requests for information, and requests for service in person and by telephone.

Participates in public education and outreach projects and activities with the community; assists and participates in educating the public regarding a variety of fire safety, fire prevention, and other related programs and services; makes presentations and leads participatory discussions as a representative of the City.

Coordinates and integrates program services and activities with other agencies and City departments.

Attends and / or participates in meetings and conferences; makes presentations to citizens groups; serves as a liaison between the City, other agencies, and the public.

Maintains records and databases; prepares correspondence, reports, and other public information materials.

When called upon, responds to emergency incidents to provide assistance, as directed by supervisory personnel.

Participates in fire safety related special projects as needed.

Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of operational characteristics and designs of fire prevention and detection systems and equipment; Basic principles, practices, methods, materials, tools, and safety used in fire inspection and fire prevention; Plan review code applications and general building code applications pertaining to fire and life safety requirements; Principles and techniques used in the development and implementation of safety education programs; Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and ordinances pertaining to fire safety and enforcement, including California Health and Safety Code, CCR Titles 19 and 24, adopted Fire and Building Code, and NFPA Standards and Codes; Practices for documenting inspections, correcting violations, and carrying through on court procedures; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of fire inspection; Public relations related to obtaining cooperation and compliance with fire codes and laws; Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work; Principles and procedures of record keeping and report preparation; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to perform fire safety inspections of buildings and fire protection equipment for compliance with fire related codes and ordinances; Detect fire hazards and code violations and determine proper mitigation measures; Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations related to fire prevention; Read, understand, and interpret construction plans, specifications, and maps; Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems; Represent the department and the City effectively in meetings with other departments, the public, and private organizations and individuals; Coordinate and deal tactfully with the public to correct identified safety hazards; Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations; Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials; Establish and maintain a variety of manual and computerized record keeping and project management systems; Understand and follow oral and written instructions; Make sound, ethical, and independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines; Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software application programs; Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations; Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

Education and Experience : Equivalent to the completion of High School or a GED. Previous increasingly responsible experience in fire prevention and / or specialized training in fire science is required. College-level coursework and / or specialized training in fire science and / or an Associate's degree in Fire Science or another closely related field are highly desirable. Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required at the time of appointment and throughout employment in this position. Completion of Fire Inspector 1A Duties and Administration Fire Inspector 1B Fire and Life Safety, Fire Inspector 1C Field Inspection, and Fire Inspector 1D California Specific Code courses are required. Completion of Fire Inspector 2A Duties and Administration, Fire Inspector 2B Fire and Life Safety Requirements, Fire Inspector 2C Systems and Equipment, Fire Inspector 2D Haz Mat Operations courses is highly desirable. Possession of a California PC832 certificate is required by end of the probationary period.

Physical Demands : Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect various commercial, industrial, and residential development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; and to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification regularly bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees may be required to stand, walk, or climb stairs for long periods of time. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds.

Disaster Service Worker : All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and / or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

City Mission, Vision, and Values : Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties : The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.

Benefits for Orange City Firefighters, Inc. Local 2384 (Non-Sworn) : The City of Orange provides a generous array of benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries.

The following is a partial list of benefits :

Salary Range. Salary Ranges are composed of five (5) steps, each approximately five percent (5%) apart. Advancement is