ASSISTANT INSPECTOR (Competitive)

Code: 53708 State Competitive Range: I98 (FY 2027) Work week NE: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

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.

Examples of work

• In accord with regulations/guidelines/standards/procedures, may inspect buildings classified as high-rise and life hazard use for compliance with the Uniform Fire Safety Code and in accord with the schedule established by the Code.
• May inspect buildings of various use to ensure that installation of automatic fire suppression systems is in compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (NJUCC).
• May inspect buildings of six (6) stories or more above grade that are used for human occupancy to ensure that such buildings are equipped with standpipes that are installed in compliance with the NJUCC.
• With a higher level inspector, makes field visits and physical inspections of state-owned, leased, and occupied structures for the purpose of obtaining maximum fire protection for the occupants/premises.
• With a higher level inspector, appraises such buildings to determine extent/quality of existing fire protection measures/equipment and makes recommendations of the most efficient/economical methods of securing safe structural conditions to protect occupants from the hazards of fire.
• May investigate the cause of any fire which occurs in state- owned, leased, and occupied structures, and state licensed medical facilities.
• With a higher level inspector, may serve penalty notices, orders, rulings, and other legal process including notices of violation.
• May ensure that automatic fire alarm systems, when required, are present, operable, properly maintained, and installed in compliance with the NJUCC and/or NFIPA 72E.
• May inspect buildings for proper/adequate mean of egress as determined by use, design, and layout, and ensures that means of egress are accessible, safe, properly equipped/maintained, and meet requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
• May ensure that all exit and information signs are properly displayed/maintained and meet requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code with regard to location, illumination, and heigh.
• May prepare/issue orders to abate violations within a specified time period.
• May reinspect buildings/structures/premises that have been identified by local enforcing agencies and/or department inspectors as having violation(s) that constitute imminent hazard to the health, safety, or welfare of occupants or intended occupants, firefighters, or general public to determine if violations have been properly/completely abated.
• May initiate procedures to have buildings/structures/premises vacated, closed, or removed when life threatening violations are found.
• Prepares inspection reports which are complete, timely, and properly filed.
• Ensures permit applications are obtained where code requires and may perform inspections on uses related to the permit.
• With a higher level inspector, provides assistance to owners concerning the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code, and Regulations and provides advice on how to abate existing violations.
• May investigate complaints of alleged fire code violations and prepares reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Prepares and maintains inspection records of actions taken, violations found, progress made, and other conditions observed, and takes photographs pertinent to assignments.
• Maintains records 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

One (1) year of experience in a field associated with the fire service or fire protection industry, such as fire inspector, fire protection system installations, fire protection subcode official, or fire prevention official.

License

AND CERTIFICATION

Applicants must possess a valid Fire Inspector Certificate (FIC) issued by the Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs, to engage in the enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Code.

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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code, and Regulations after a period of training.
• Knowledge of provisions under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code/Act, Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law, and Rooming and Boarding House Act, and their relation to the Uniform Fire Safety Act after a period of training.
• Knowledge of tools/equipment used in inspection after a period of training.
• Knowledge of principles/practices of fire safety and protection systems including limitations, types, operation, maintenance, and installation.
• Knowledge of basic fire protection requirements for residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational buildings/structures/facilities.
• Knowledge of methods for handling/storing hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of means of egress requirements including exit access, exit discharge, and exit signs.
• Knowledge of the operation/maintenance of smoke detectors and the types of smoke detectors and alarms available.
• Knowledge of procedures used in inspection/evaluation of buildings/structures for fire hazards and fire safety.
• Knowledge of methods of preparing inspection reports.
• Knowledge of requirements for entry and inspection after a period of training.
• Knowledge of methods and administrative/operational procedures applied to ensure timely inspection and reinspection of life hazard uses and high-rise buildings required by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code, and Regulations after a period of training.
• Knowledge of zoning requirements and terminology.
• Knowledge of basic plumbing, electrical, and heating systems, and related terminology.
• Ability to assist in an inspection to determine hazardous conditions.
• Ability to recognize existing/potential fire safety hazards, call these to the attention of proper persons, prepare detailed reports, and take necessary action.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic laws, standards, and policies, and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with tenants, owners, municipal officials, and others interested in or concerned with enforcement of laws relating to fire safety.
• Ability to explain existing/potential fire safety hazards to owners, tenants, and others.
• Ability to identify and determine the type, quality, and grade of fire protection materials/methods, and determine whether these conform to standards established by the NJUCC regulations.
• Ability to estimate time required to abate violations and establish realistic deadlines by which owners must complete abatement of violations and to make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to prepare inspection reports in accord with established procedures.
• Ability to assist in preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain records, reports, and files.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• 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 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 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.