Fire Prevention Specialist - Fire Rescue

NOTICE TO APPLICANT

This position will close at 12:00AM MST on the End Date.

You must ensure your application reflects the correct and current information for your work experience, hours worked per week per position, education, personal information, etc.

Only the information provided on this application is evaluated when determining compensation.

**A written exam will be administered**

Job Description

PURPOSE SUMMARY.  Perform fire origin & cause investigations, fire / life-safety inspections, fire prevention, and public education activities. Review and approve construction plans, specifications and applications for fire suppression and detection systems, special hazard properties, high piled storage, and hazardous material installations.  Review building construction and site development plans for compliance with fire and life-safety codes and County ordinances. Prepare reports regarding activities and make recommendations for improvement to processes.  Make fire code interpretations as required. It is required to respond to emergencies and assist as needed at emergency scenes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES.

This is a safety sensitive position.

1. Fire Investigation, Code Enforcement and Fire Prevention:

• Secure fire scenes and conduct comprehensive fire scene investigations in cooperation with Law Enforcement investigators to determine fire origin and cause.

• Evaluate, develop, schedule, deliver, and coordinate fire prevention and public education activities.

• Respond to emergency incidents such as fire, hazardous materials, and mass casualty to assist in the mitigation of the incident.

• May be required to take command at emergency incidents, participate in firefighting, EMS and lifesaving activities.

• Recommend criteria for emergency planning and preparedness and procedures to verify adequate emergency access.

• Conduct witness interviews and complete required reports to document incidents; initiate legal action relating to fire code violations.

• Coordinate and provide presentations on fire and life-safety issues for educational purposes to various community groups and schools.

• Coordinate volunteer and/or career firefighters to participate in specialized teams or programs.

• Actively participate in various community committees as a representative of the Fire Department.

• Perform 24-hour on-call duty on a rotating basis as necessary.

• Responsible for knowing and abiding by all department and County policies and procedures. The employee must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

2. Plan Review, Fire Inspections, and Codes:

• Work with County staff, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and builders to inform, monitor, and ensure professional and timely project permit issuance by conducting plan reviews and scheduling meetings. 

• Assist the Fire Code Official in preparing and adopting fire codes and fire prevention ordinances and standards, and related work as assigned.  Individuals in this position will also be expected to be proficient in conducting inspections of newly constructed buildings.

• Perform fire suppression and detection focused plan review of architectural plans and system shop drawings to ensure compliance with applicable State and local fire safety laws, ordinances, and codes.

• May participate in meetings with contractors, architects, developers, engineers, and other staff before and during construction activity as needed or assigned.

• Perform technical inspections of varying complexities, including commercial, multi-family, institutional, and industrial construction, to ensure compliance with applicable State and local fire safety laws, ordinances, and codes.

• Advise of any field conditions that are potentially hazardous and non-compliant with applicable State and local fire safety laws, ordinances, and codes.

• Prepare and submit reports/comments relative to findings from fire safety inspections. 

• Orders corrections of hazardous or non-compliant conditions and provides follow-up inspections or enforcement as necessary for newly constructed and existing buildings.

• Inspect projects under construction for compliance with current fire codes.

• Perform fire plan review on new construction and renovations.

• Inspect fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, and fire pumps.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Fire Chief or Fire Code Official.

Fire Prevention Specialists are expected to function in all duty roles noted above as assigned.  

ADDITIONAL DUTIES. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS.

A. Education. High School Diploma or equivalent. Associate’s degree in fire science or related field is preferred.

B. Experience. Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in fire service, fire investigations, or code enforcement activities. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

C. Education/Experience Substitution. In accordance with County Policy.

D.  Licenses/Certifications.

            Required at time of application:

• Valid driver’s license. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy. New Mexico Class E or Texas Class B driver's license within (3) three months of hire.

• Licensed NM EMT-Basic or equivalent National Registry License at the time of application (reciprocity must be obtained within 90 days).

• ICS 100, 200, 700, 800

• Fire Certifications

  • IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter I and II

  • IFSAC or ProBoard Hazardous Materials A/O.

  • IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Officer I

Must obtain within twelve (12) months of hire:

• NM, NFA, IFSAC or IAAI certified Fire Investigator

• IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Inspector I and II

• International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector 1

• ICS 300

Preferred:

• IFSAC or New Mexico Fire Investigator

• Hazardous Materials Technician Level

• ICS 300, 400

• NM licensed EMT- Intermediate or Paramedic

• ICC Certified Building Official (ICC is formally known as ICBO)

Equivalent certifications may be accepted upon review.

Must maintain certifications and licensures for continued employment.

E.  Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver’s license record, etc.). Must undergo and pass an annual physical abilities test (PAT); pre-employment background and driving record check; credibility/deception assessment, medical/drug screening; and annual medical physical according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 standards.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid, federal Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam certificate. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state rules and regulations regarding alcohol and/or drug testing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION.

Knowledge of:

• Practices, procedures, and equipment used in fire suppression. 

• Laws, ordinances, and applicable building and fire codes adopted by the County Governing Board. 

• Principles and practices in fire code inspections, investigations, plan reviews, and public fire education.

• Operation, maintenance and repair of fire apparatus and related equipment.

• Fire hazards associated with various types of construction and storage of flammable materials and explosives; laws and ordinances pertaining to fire prevention and arson.

• Extensive knowledge of international, state, and local building and fire life safety codes and current construction procedures/technology.

Ability to:

• Recognize and appraise fire hazards. 

• Meet and deal tactfully with the public. 

• React quickly and calmly in emergencies.

• Interact with other DAC staff members, the general public, contractors, and governmental agencies in a professional, effective manner with an emphasis on customer service.

• Exercise initiative and a considerable amount of independent judgment.

• Prepare written plan review correspondence and update information in software programs.

• Prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Prepare clear and concise reports and to speak and write English effectively.

Skill in:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Superior time management, organization, and attention to detail.

• In making decisions under extreme emergency situations.

• Safe operation and care of firefighting equipment and tools.

• Driving fire department vehicles safely through traffic.

• Computer and radio operation.

• Establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with others.

Compensation Range

$29.67 - $41.75

Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person’s race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

 

Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see http://www.donaanacounty.org/ada/ for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call 575-647-7210 for assistance.