SUPERVISING FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST

Code: 06352 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, supervises and works with a group of Fire Prevention Specialists in the inspection of buildings and premises to identify and eliminate fire hazards and enforce the provisions of relevant fire safety codes and related regulations; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Supervises the work of fire prevention specialists in the inspection of various buildings, structures, and premises to identify and eliminate fire hazards, and to ensure that the provisions of relevant fire safety codes and regulations are enforced.
• Organizes, plans, and assigns the work of fire prevention specialists responsible for the inspection of buildings and structures for compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code or local fire safety code.
• Supervises the inspection of all life hazard use structures in accordance with the schedule established by the code.
• Supervises the issuance of permit applications in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7.
• Assigns fire prevention specialists to conduct registration surveys, to identify and register hazardous use structures.
• Explains and interprets legal and technical regulations; and provides advice and assistance on matters and questions pertaining to compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code or, local fire code and regulations.
• Reviews inspection reports.
• Recommends administrative penalties for non-compliance.
• Recommends extensions to compliance orders when requested by owners.
• Recommends alternatives uniform fire code requirements to meet fire code standards.
• Orders the evacuation of buildings, structures, or premises pursuant to the authority in N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.16.
• Assigns staff to obtain information necessary for the preparation of legal documents.
• Assigns field investigations to identify hazardous conditions and violations of the fire safety code.
• When required, speaks before civic, school, and community organizations and groups concerning fire safety and prevention methods, or fire safety code enforcement.
• May supervise a public information and education program designed to improve fire safety measures.
• May confer with public officials or civic representatives to improve fire safety education programs.
• Supervises the inspection of fire extinguishing and fire protection equipment.
• Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of inspections and other matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the maintenance of essential inspection records, reports, and files.
• Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Four (4) years of work experience in one or more of the areas indicated below or some combination thereof: as a fire fighter in a paid or volunteer fire company; in the inspection of buildings to detect fire hazards and to enforce fire safety codes and regulations; in the investigation of fires to determine their cause; in the inspection of the construction of buildings and the review of building construction plans and specifications to ensure compliance with fire protection codes and regulations; in the installation of fire protection equipment.

<b>CERTIFICATE</b>

Applicants must possess a valid Fire Official certificate, issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the fire prevention measures required in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings and structures.
• Knowledge of fire prevention measures.
• Knowledge of the methods used to enforce fire codes.
• Knowledge of the fire safety systems used in buildings including means of egress, fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, methods for limiting flame spread, and flammability or combustibility of materials.
• Knowledge of the safe handling of materials posing a fire hazard.
• Knowledge of modern installation standards for fire detection, fire alarm, and fire suppression systems.
• Knowledge of the requirements for means of egress including exit access, exit discharge, and exit signs.
• Knowledge of the methods used to inspect and evaluate buildings and structures for fire hazards and fire safety.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of smoke detectors and alarms.
• Knowledge of the techniques used to conduct fire safety and prevention inspections.
• Knowledge of code requirements related to fire ratings of structural components, arrangements, sizing, protection of means of egress, and flame spread.
• Ability to identify existing and potential fire safety hazards and take corrective action.
• Ability to read and interpret laws and regulations relating to fire safety, protection, and prevention, and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with tenants, owners, municipal officials, and others interested in or concerned with the enforcement of laws relating to fire safety.
• Ability to explain existing and potential fire safety hazards to owners, tenants, and others.
• Ability to estimate the timeframe for abatement of violations.
• Ability to provide assignments and instructions to subordinates and supervise their performance.
• Ability to act as a witness in hearings and court proceedings, and to provide testimony under oath.
• Ability to conduct and supervise the conduct of inspections.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees may be required by some jurisdictions to possess a license as an Inspector Hotels and Multiple Dwellings, issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, when assigned to a municipality approved to conduct cyclical inspections of multiple dwellings in conjunction with the State Local Cooperative Housing Inspection Program (SLCHIP).