DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction, assists the Fire Marshal in planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the City’s Fire Prevention Program including investigations, inspections and public fire education programs; provides training and coordination to Fire Department personnel in fire prevention and protection techniques; and enforces City and State fire and safety laws.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assists the Fire Marshal in planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the City’s Fire Prevention Program including investigations, inspections and public fire education programs.
• Responds to major fires; conducts investigations and analyses to determine cause and origin of fire; prepares analytical reports to reveal findings.
• Organizes and conducts inspections of buildings and other structures for compliance with applicable provisions of State and/or local codes; prepares inspection records and technical letters pertaining to recommendations and violations.
• Checks plans for fire code compliance and conducts inspections for installation of sprinkler systems, heat activated alarm systems and other fire protection devices and equipment.
• Conducts special inspections of industrial occupancies, flammable liquid tanks, hazardous material operations, blasting operations before and after detonation, and vapor recovery systems.
• Monitors commercial and industrial use of hazardous substances through permits, inspections and recommendations for handling and disposal.
• Prepares, plans and presents programs for public education and information regarding fire safety and prevention; responds to questions and inquiries from the public; may counsel juveniles regarding fire safety.
• Supervises, trains and coordinates assigned Fire Department personnel in fire prevention and protection techniques; performs performance evaluations for assigned employees as necessary.
• Coordinates Engine Company Inspection Program.
• Approves and issues a variety of permits including for agricultural burning, tank installation, tank removal, air support structures, tent/canopy, miscellaneous burning, and special events.
• Represents the Fire Department to other departments regarding fire codes as necessary; recommends and implements changes in procedures.
• In the absence of the Fire Marshal, attends staff development meetings to coordinate inspections and
  conduct plan checks of new construction; plan checks new/remodeled building plans for fire safety.
• In the event of major fires or emergencies, may be called in from off duty to work an extended period of time.
• May assume duties of Fire Marshal in absence of same.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of fire department administration.
• Methods, techniques and equipment used in modern firefighting.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations including health and safety codes, Title 19, 22 and 24, building codes and fire prevention codes.
• Methods and techniques of public education pertinent to fire prevention and safety.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and techniques of research and analysis.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Methods and techniques of public relations.

Ability to:

• Assist in planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the City’s Fire Prevention Program.
• Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in fire prevention.
• Train and evaluate staff.
• Perform inspections and detect violations of applicable codes and regulations.
• Read and interpret codes, regulations, technical reports and building plans.
• Prepare clear, concise records and reports.
• Prepare and present professional fire safety presentations to civic organizations.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Effectively represent the Fire Prevention Program to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, press, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Graduation from high school or equivalent supplemented by college level course work in fire science, fire administration or a related field.

Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible fire suppression and/or prevention experience.

License and Other Requirements - Possession of PC 832 certificate. Possession of Fire Prevention 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A and 2B. Possession of Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. Possession of Fire Prevention 3A and 3B is highly desirable. Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License. Must be willing to work standby and overtime as required.

Incumbents are required to wear department-approved uniform. During emergencies incumbents will be required to wear protective equipment. Incumbents may be required to wear a respirator under certain circumstances and in specific environments. Safety regulations prohibit incumbents from wearing beards or other facial hair which prevents a proper respirator fit. Employee must live within 60 minutes driving time from Fire Station #1 (required for fire investigation duty coverage).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Exposure to extreme cold of refrigerated lockers, extreme heat of fires, temperature swings from indoors to outdoors, extreme noise of fire alarms and fire alarm testing, working both indoors and outdoors, extreme humidity while working outdoors, mechanical hazards of heavy equipment and various machinery, explosive hazards of blasting operations; fumes and odors of smoke, flammable liquids, gas, hazardous materials; dust of construction sites and fire scenes, toxic substances. Work schedule is 80-hour biweekly work periods, with unscheduled breaks. Subject to overtime and callback for major fires, hazardous materials incidents or other emergencies. Work is performed in the office and at various sites throughout the community, both indoors and outdoors with or without protection from the weather. Work environment is formal, team and autonomy oriented, with both variable and routine tasks. Work is frequently fast-paced and high-pressure.

Physical: CONTINUOUS upward and downward flexion of neck. FREQUENT standing, sitting, bending and stooping, twisting at waist, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting objects weighing up to 25 lbs. from below waist to waist level; fine finger dexterity and pinch grasp to operate computer keyboards and writing materials. OCCASIONAL walking, climbing, reaching at shoulder level, pushing/pulling; firm grasp, pinch grasp and foot dexterity to operate automobile. INFREQUENT squatting, crawling, working in confined spaces, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, balancing above ground; lifting objects weighing 11-25 lbs. from below waist to above shoulder and transporting distances up to 100 feet; lifting objects weighing 26-75 lbs. from below waist to waist level; transporting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. distances up to 100 feet; lifting objects weighing 76- 100 lbs. from below waist to waist level, with assistance only. Tight grasp, moderate torquing, wrist and arm movement, fine finger dexterity to operate hand tools, video camera, projectors.

Communication: VISION (may be correctable) for visual inspections, observation of conditions, reading reports and regulations. HEARING of alarms, radio and telephone communications, conversations with the public. SPEAKING for radio, telephone and personal conversations. WRITING to document field observations and prepare reports and correspondence. READING of technical manuals, safety regulations.

Date:
Johnson & Associates