Job Description
FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST I
JOB CODE 61110
| Effective Date: | Rev. 08/09A |
|---|
The fundamental reason this classification exists is to inspect properties for conformance with federal, state, county, and locally recognized laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards. Fire Prevention Specialists I are responsible for performing technical fire prevention, plan review, and inspection work of a diversified nature. Employees in this classification work in conjunction with Fire Prevention Specialists II for the first year, then independently in the field. Incumbents are responsible for decision-making requiring discretion, judgment, and familiarity with laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards. This classification differs from Fire Prevention Specialist Trainee in that the work is more complex, technical, and difficult, and differs from Fire Prevention Specialist II in that the level of inspections are less complex with limited technical plan review responsibilities. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Fire Prevention Supervisor or Fire Protection Engineer.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Inspects properties to ensure compliance with laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards;
- Analyzes and approves plans, specifications, and construction documents for buildings, processes, operations, and fire protection systems and equipment;
- Investigates complaints relating to fire hazards and fire code violations;
- Inspects occupancies that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, and standards;
- Identifies corrective actions which must be made in order to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, and ordinances;
- Identifies conditions or situations that may hinder fire fighting operations and the safety of emergency response personnel and recommends remedies to correct conditions;
- Assists in the development of, or reviews, fire exit plans;
- Conducts fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures;
- Inspects and tests fire protection and/or fire detection systems to verify such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards;
- Takes photographs and/or writes detailed reports of fire code violations observed in each inspected occupancy;
- Conducts fire code compliance follow-up to ensure corrective action has been taken;
- Assists citizens and other agency personnel with code interpretations and information;
- Attends in-service training classes;
- Writes citations for fire code violations, fire lane and disabled parking area violations;
- Documents efforts to assist property owners in bringing facilities into compliance;
- Provides court testimony regarding fire code violations;
- Establishes and approves fire lanes on public and/or private property;
- Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- City of Phoenix Fire Code and Building Code.
- Fire codes, ordinances, laws, regulations and standards.
- Mathematical principles required to perform necessary technical calculations.
- The street system and physical layout of the city of Phoenix.
- Fire prevention practices.
- Make field determinations of compliance with fire codes, laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards.
- Produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper English sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
- Travel across wet, slippery, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
- Climb ladders or steps while performing inspections.
- Understand and interpret graphic instructions, such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or other visual aids.
- Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, or the public in face-to-face one-on-one settings, in group settings, or using a telephone.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions in the English language.
- Learn job-related material through oral instruction and observation, and through structured lecture and reading. This learning takes place in both on-the-job training settings and in classroom settings.
- Comprehend and make inferences from written material in the English language.
- Work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the outdoor elements.
- Work cooperatively with other City employees and the public.
- Make simple mathematical calculations.
- Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
Additional Requirements:
- Must possess and maintain ICC Certified Fire Inspector I certification.
- Must obtain ICC Certified Fire Plans Specialist certification by the end of the twelve-month probationary period.
- Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment, or shift.
- Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Completion of the Fire Prevention Specialist Trainee program, and an ICC Certified Fire Inspector I certification OR two years of experience as a Fire Prevention Specialist in another government or private entity, as well as ICC Certified Fire Inspector I certification. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.