SENIOR FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST

Code: 06354 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, takes the lead over Fire Prevention Specialists and performs the work involved 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 related work as required.

Examples of work

• Takes the lead over Fire Inspection Specialists and performs the work involved 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.
• Provides guidance and assistance to 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.
• Takes the lead in and performs the inspection of buildings classified as High Rise and Life Hazard Use structures for compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
• Takes the lead in and inspects fire extinguishing and fire protection equipment to ensure that it is operable; prepares reports identifying any deficiencies.
• Observes tests of fire prevention or protection equipment in plants where explosive or flammable materials are processed or stored.
• Observes tests of equipment and inspects storage conditions to ensure conformance to fire and safety codes.
• Notes and investigates unsafe conditions and practices which might cause or increase fire hazards.
• May instruct employees of business establishments in fire safety practices.
• Takes the lead in and performs the inspection of areas in which flammable or combustible materials are stored and reports or takes steps to correct undesirable conditions.
• Takes the lead in and performs the inspection of buildings of six or more stories used for human occupancy to ensure that they are equipped with standpipes installed in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Reports inspection findings to the Fire Official utilizing authorized forms and detailing violations and corrective action.
• Serves penalty notices, orders, rulings, and other legal process, including notices of violation.
• Ensures that automatic fire alarm systems, when required, are present, operable, and properly maintained in accordance with pertinent regulations.
• Inspects buildings for proper and adequate means of egress as determined by use, design, and layout.
• Ensures all means of egress are accessible, safe, properly equipped and maintained, and meet the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code or other relevant codes or ordinances.
• Ensures that all exit and information signs are properly displayed and maintained and meet the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code with regard to location, illumination, height, and so forth.
• Reinspects buildings, structures, and premises that have been identified as having violation(s) of applicable fire codes, and that constitute imminent hazard to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants or intended occupants, firefighters, or the general public, for abatement of said violation(s).
• Reinspects buildings, structures, or premises within a prescribed time after they have been cited for violations to determine that violations have been properly and completely abated.
• Issues penalty notices for fire hazards not abated on subsequent inspection.
• Takes the lead in and performs the work involved in examining interiors and exteriors of buildings, structures, and premises to detect hazardous conditions or violations of fire regulations and laws.
• Prepares reports of violations and penalty orders.
• Discusses fire safety conditions with owners or agents and recommends safe methods of storing flammable or other hazardous materials.
• Informs owners or agents of conditions requiring correction such as deficient egress facilities, improper fire protection equipment and faulty wiring, and issues violation notices.
• Explains the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and regulations to owners and provides advice on how to abate existing violations.
• Ensures permit applications are obtained where Code requires and performs inspections on uses related to the permit.
• Performs inspections to ensure compliance with conditions of permits issued by the Fire Official.
• Works closely with the fire official, fire department, and municipal officials in interpreting/applying the NJ Uniform Fire Code and ensuring construction permits are obtained where necessary.
• Prepares and files inspection reports.
• Prepares and serves violation notices and orders.
• Investigates complaints of alleged fire code violations and provides reports on findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Investigates fires to determine origin, cause, and speed.
• Maintains file of inspection records, prepares reports of activities, and coordinates activities with other officials responsible for ensuring fire and life safety.
• Prepares and maintains inspection records of actions taken, violations found, progress made, and other conditions observed.
• Takes photographs pertinent to assignments.
• May perform building inspections to identify health and safety violations.
• Provides testimony in court and at hearings and acts as a witness when required
• Takes the lead in and conducts registration surveys, to identify and register hazardous use structures.
• May assist in information gathering for the preparation of legal documents.
• Takes the lead and participates in field investigations to identify hazardous conditions and violations of the fire safety code.
• May take the lead and participate in a public information and education program designed to improve fire safety measures.
• May speak before civic, school, and community organizations/groups to encourage use of fire prevention methods by community residents.
• May give talks/demonstrations to adults and/or children on appropriate fire safety procedures in the home, school, or other buildings.
• Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of inspections and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintains essential 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.
• 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 (3) 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>

Possession of a current, valid Fire Inspector Certification 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 the laws, rules, and regulations concerning all types of fire prevention measures.
• 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 practices and procedures of fire code enforcement.
• 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 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 timeframes for abatement of violations.
• Ability to take the lead and provide suitable assignments and guidance to subordinate employees.
• Ability to act as a witness in hearings and court proceedings, and to provide testimony under oath.
• Ability to take the lead in and to conduct 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.

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

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).