SUPERVISING FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST, UFD

Code: 06353 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 of supervisory staff, supervises and works with a group of fire prevention, protection and firefighter personnel in the inspection of buildings to detect and eliminate fire hazards and to enforce provisions of relevant fire safety codes and related regulations; responds to fire alarms and participates in extinguishing fires; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises the work of fire prevention, protection, and firefighter personnel in inspection of various buildings and structures to detect and eliminate fire hazards and to ensure that relevant fire safety codes and regulations are enforced.
• Organizes, plans, and assigns work of fire prevention specialists who are responsible for inspection of buildings and structures for compliance with the NJ Uniform Fire Code or local fire safety code.
• Plans, organizes, and revises work schedules to meet changes in workload considering factors such as peak loads and availability of manpower.
• Coordinates activities with representatives of other units concerning matters of work accomplishment, priorities, and procedures.
• Assigns work to employees or assigns employees to positions.
• Assigns tasks to provide new employees with experience and training required to perform the work.
• Explains work requirements, methods, and procedures, giving special instructions on difficult or different operations and answering technical questions about the work.
• Oversees attendance and leave, typically including approval of ordinary sick and annual leave and vacation schedules.
• Formulates and issues (individually or collectively with other supervisors or specialists) written instructions and procedures and special instructions for nonroutine or complex assignments, or to clarify published guidelines.
• Formulates training plans for employees.
• Conducts informal training to broaden employee skills and to provide back up skills by cross training.
• Recommends formal training when need is apparent.
• Ensures all life hazard use structures are inspected in accord with the schedule established by the code.
• Ensures permit applications have been issued for uses where permit is required in NJAC 5:18-2/7.
• Assigns fire personnel to identify and register hazardous use structures and/or conduct registration survey. Interprets legal and technical regulations, and provides advice and assistance to municipal officials, owners, agents, tenants, and others on matters and questions pertaining to compliance with the NJ Uniform Fire Code or local fire code and regulations.
• Reviews inspection and other reports originating from subordinates to ensure their completeness and accuracy.
• Recommends appropriate administrative penalties in specific cases where violations have not been eliminated.
• Makes recommendations as to the time required to effect compliance with orders in cases where an extension of time is requested by an owner.
• Recommends alternatives and/or recommends the approval of alternatives to uniform fire code requirements that will be sufficient to meet the fire code standards.
• Orders immediate evacuation of buildings, structures, or premises where there is actual danger to occupants or those in proximity pursuant to the authority in NJAC 5:18-2.17.
• Assigns fire personnel to obtain information on particular buildings and/or structures necessary for the compliance section to prepare legal documents.
• Assigns subordinates to perform special field investigations to verify presence of imminent hazards which may require vacating and/or closing of buildings/structures to effect abatement of violations of the fire safety code.
• Speaks before public and private groups of owners, tenants, landlords, and others interested in or involved with fire safety code enforcement.
• May confer with and speak before civic, school, and community organizations and groups concerning fire prevention methods.
• May supervise a public information and education program designed to improve fire safety measures in the home, office buildings, industrial and commercial structures, and other locations.
• May confer with public officials or civic representatives to improve fire safety education programs.
• May give talks and demonstrations before adults and/or children on methods for ensuring proper use of fire safety procedures in the home, school, or other buildings.
• Prepares and supervises preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of inspections and other matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises maintenance of inspection records, reports, and files.
• May conduct performance evaluations of assigned staff and recommends appropriate personnel actions based on these evaluations.
• Prepares correspondence.
• Participates in fire drills and other training courses.
• Responds to fire alarms and drives or accompanies fire apparatus and assists other uniformed personnel in extinguishing fires.
• Operates and uses fire hoses and other firefighting equipment and apparatus.
• Performs special duty at theaters, schools, and other public gatherings to help maintain fire precautionary measures.
• Responds to calls concerning bomb threats and conducts bomb searches.
• Inspects condition of fire protection apparatus in public and private buildings.
• Inspects fire hydrants.
• Performs rescue work.
• Pumps out cellars.
• Receives fire alarms and notifies proper fire company.
• Maintains records and files.
• 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.

Education

Graduation from high school, vocational high school, or possession of an approved high school equivalent certificate.

Experience

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

<b>LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE</b>

Possession of a current/valid Fire Inspector Certification issued by the NJ Department of Community Affairs will be required only where inspection of high rise and/or life hazard use structures are involved.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of fire prevention measures required in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings and structures.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations concerning all types of fire prevention measures.
• Knowledge of practices and procedures of fire code enforcement.
• Knowledge of fire safety systems of buildings and uses including but not limited to means of egress, fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, and methods for limiting the flame spread, flammability, or combustibility of materials.
• Knowledge of the safe use and maintenance of facilities, buildings, and uses of such structures which are subject to the NJ Uniform Fire Code.
• Knowledge of the safe handling of materials which pose a fire hazard.
• Knowledge of standards for installation of fire detection, fire alarm, and suppression systems.
• Knowledge of requirements for means of egress including exit access, exit discharge, and exit signs.
• Knowledge of requirements of the NJ Uniform Fire Code and local fire codes regulating use and occupancy of buildings.
• Knowledge of procedures used in inspection and evaluation of buildings and structures for fire hazards and fire safety.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of smoke detectors and alarms.
• Knowledge of supervisory and management techniques, principles, and philosophy.
• Knowledge of methods, administrative and operational procedures to be applied to ensure timely inspection and reinspection of buildings as required by the fire safety code.
• Knowledge of code requirements related to fire ratings of structural components, arrangements, sizing, protection of means of egress, and flame spread.
• Knowledge of laws and ordinances which are significant from the firefighting point of view.
• Knowledge of methods likely to be effective in fighting various types of fires.
• Knowledge of varied kinds of firefighting equipment and apparatus.
• Knowledge of the location of schools, large buildings, streets, and fire alarm boxes in the municipality. Knowledge of the types of fire alarm communications that are useful and feasible in the fire department.
• Knowledge of procedures likely to be effective in enlisting support of citizens and others in taking fire precautionary measures.
• Ability to recognize existing and potential fire safety hazards, call these to the attention of the proper persons, and prepare detailed reports and take necessary action.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic laws and regulations pertaining to fire safety, protection, and prevention.
• 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 time required to abate violations and establish realistic deadlines by which owners must complete the abatement of violations.
• Ability to make field visits, inspections, and investigations.
• Ability to issue work assignments, provide advice, assistance, and direction to personnel, and review and evaluate their work performance.
• Ability to act as a witness in hearings and at court proceedings and give testimony under oath.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain records, reports, and files.
• Ability to prepare inspection reports in accord with established procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities such as lifting heavy firefighting equipment, climbing standard and aerial ladders, lifting and carrying people and equipment for rescue and salvage.
• Ability to work under conditions of heavy physical exertion in extreme heat and dust in high and confined areas and smoke filled spaces, and in all kinds of weather and to maintain physical activity for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions.
• Ability to function independently and without direct supervision.
• Ability to think clearly and apply knowledge under stressful conditions and handle more than one task at a time.
• Ability to work closely with people, including functioning as a team member, to exercise tact or diplomacy and display compassion, understanding, and patience.
• Ability to use and maintain firefighting equipment and to apply the theory necessary for effective fire fighting and equipment operation.
• Ability to apply the basic techniques of fighting fires and rendering first aid.
• Ability 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, and 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 after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. 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.

Positions in this class may be filled through promotional examination procedures only. Candidates must meet those requirements and qualifications for promotion specified in Civil Service law, rules, and regulations.

Applicants who possess the higher level certification as a Fire Official are considered to have met the above certification requirement.

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.

<b>AGE:</b>

Not less than 18 years of age.

<b>MEDICAL EXAMINATION</b>

Appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority. Any psychological, medical or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to themselves or others, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties will be cause for rejection.