FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST

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 general supervision in a civilian capacity, performs technical inspections for fire prevention purposes; enforces City and State fire and safety laws; assists in coordinating public fire education programs; performs related work as required.

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.

• Inspects institutions, industries, retail establishments, hotels, apartment and condominium complexes, service stations, schools, hospitals, nursing and convalescent units, and other establishments to secure compliance with codes and regulations pertaining to fire safety.
• Makes special miscellaneous inspections (i.e., flammable liquid tanks, fire detection, fire protection and alarm systems, blasting operations, vapor recovery systems, etc.) and issues permits (burning, blasting, pyrotechnics, etc.) as required.
• Participates in post-fire investigations and analyses as needed.
• May participate in Fire Investigation duty rotation as assigned and responds to the site of emergency incidents, notifies appropriate authorities and coordinates cleanup activities.
• Makes recommendations concerning fire safety for public assemblies.
• Prepares inspection records and technical letters pertaining to recommendations and violations.
• May monitor commercial and industrial use of hazardous substances through permits and inspections, and make recommendations for handling, storage and disposal.
• Performs technical plan checks to determine compliance with fire and building codes as required, but not limited to checking underground fire mains, fire alarm and fire suppression systems.
• Investigates and responds to complaints and requests for information from the public.
• May assume inspection duties in the absence of other prevention officers.
• Gives public presentations on fire safety and fire prevention topics.
• May interview juveniles regarding fire safety.
• Attends meetings.
• Performs related work as required.
• Provides vacation and temporary relief as needed.

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:

• Modern fire prevention principles, procedures and methods.
• Applicable codes and regulations, including health and safety codes, building codes, Title 19, Title 24, and City fire prevention codes, or ability to acquire such knowledge.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers.
• Computer software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, as necessary.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing techniques.
• Principles of business letter writing, record keeping and basic report preparation.
• Methods and techniques of public relations.
• Basic map reading.
• Mathematical principles for purposes of reading plans and maps.
• Effective communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Effective English usage, to include proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Perform fire prevention inspections and identify violations of applicable codes and regulations.
• Participate in fire investigations and testify in court.
• Read and interpret codes, regulations, technical reports and building plans.
• Complete required training in such subjects as post-fire investigations and hazardous materials incidents.
• Prepare and present professional fire safety presentations to civic organizations.
• Successfully complete periodic physical examination required for use of respirators, as required.
• Learn methods and techniques of research and investigation.
• Prepare and maintain clear, accurate and concise records, correspondence and reports.
• Represent the City in a professional manner and deal effectively with the public to gain their cooperation in resolving problems and concerns.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications as they apply to fire prevention duties and records management systems.
• 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 other employees, staff and the public.

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: Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by college level courses in fire science.

Experience: One year of experience in fire service, building trades, code enforcement, or related field.

License and Other Requirements - Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License. Possession of PC 832 certificate within 12 months of employment. Completion of Fire Prevention 1A, 1B and 1 C within 12 months of employment or as required. Completion of Fire Investigation 1A and 1B as required. 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.

February 1995
Revised by KG1/Department

October 2006
Revised by MH/Department