SUPERVISOR OF LOCAL ASSISTANCE FIRE SAFETY

Definition

Under the general supervision of the Chief, Fire Safety or other supervisory official, in the Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs, assigns, plans and directs the work of the Local Assistance section staff responsible for providing technical assistance to officials and inspectors involved in the enforcement of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and Regulations and the performance of related investigations; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises staff providing information and technical assistance to local fire safety agencies in establishing enforcement procedures, fee schedules and administrative procedures for implementation of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, Regulations and Code
• Explains and interprets legal and technical fire safety code regulations to fire safety inspectors, municipal officials, owners, contractors and the general public and supervises the staff in providing interpretation of the regulations in order to ensure uniformity and adequacy
• Appears as a speaker and/or assigns field staff to speak before public and private groups involved in fire safety
• Renders technical and enforcement decisions to local fire safety inspectors and other municipal officials to alleviate problems involved in administering and enforcing the Uniform Fire Safety Act, Regulations and Code
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of detailed analytical reports on the performance of local fire safety enforcing agencies in administering and enforcing the Uniform Fire Safety Act, Regulations and Code
• Investigates and/or supervises the investigation of complaints from the general public concerning fire safety enforcement or other activities
• Acts and/or assigns field staff to act as negotiator or mediator between city officials, fire inspectors, owners, contractors and/or the general public regarding the enforcement and implementation of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, Regulations and Code
• Represents the Bureau at hearings, conferences and meetings concerning fire safety
• Provides and/or supervises training of local fire inspectors and municipal officials on new code requirements, new regulations and other matters
• Supervises work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees
• Prepares extensive correspondence in the course of official duties
• Will be required to learn to utilize types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Requirements

<b>EXPERENCE</b>

Eight (8) years of experience enforcing a national model fire safety consensus code such as the International Code Council International Fire Code or the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code.

License

Appointee 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 municipal fire prevention and fire safety code enforcement problems and procedures
• Knowledge of investigation procedures and techniques applicable to fire code enforcement
• Knowledge of the procedures for the establishment of municipal permit fees
• Knowledge of the structure, organization and procedures of Construction Board of Appeals as established in N.J.A.C. 5:23-4.11
• Knowledge of the procedures to establish a municipal fire safety enforcement agency pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq
• Knowledge of the records required to be completed and maintained in a fire safety enforcement office
• Knowledge of modern firefighting techniques, tools, and chemicals and of fire safety and fire prevention techniques
• Knowledge of the procedures used in the inspection and evaluation of buildings and structures for fire hazards and fire safety
• Knowledge of the Penalty Enforcement Law (N.J.S.A. 2A: 58 et seq) as procedures related thereto
• Knowledge of typical revenues and expenditures of a fire safety office
• Knowledge of the structure, organization and procedures of inter-local enforcing agencies
• Knowledge of the different types of sprinkler systems
• Knowledge of the types of standpipe and hose systems
• Knowledge of heat, smoke and flame detection systems
• Knowledge of types of portable fire extinguishers and methods for evaluating readiness of such equipment
• Knowledge of fire alarm systems and devices and methods of evaluating such equipment
• Knowledge of means of egress requirements for various occupancies
• Knowledge of methods of conducting and evaluating fire drills in various occupancies
• Knowledge of report writing techniques necessary to establish inspection/enforcement records
• Knowledge of municipal budget preparation and organization
• Knowledge of municipal ordinance and resolution process
• Knowledge of licenses or permits required for the sale, use, storage or possession of hazardous materials
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to conduct field investigations throughout the State and to maintain cooperative working relationship with fire departments, local communities and others involved in fire safety
• Ability to explain technical and legal requirements of Uniform Fire Safety Act and regulations to builders, owners, fire safety inspectors, fire departments, municipal officers and others
• Ability to recognize, analyze and offer solutions to problems encountered by local fire safety inspectors
• Ability to analyze extensive data and prepare recommendations
• Ability to assist in the establishment of procedures for and provide policy guidelines to various fire departments and municipal officials regarding fire safety act implementation
• Ability to analyze, interpret and apply basic legal rules and regulations
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with others interested in or concerned with fire safety enforcement
• Ability to negotiate and/or mediate disputes between owners, contractors, fire inspectors and municipal officials
• Ability to appear before varied groups and speak knowledgably about the Bureau and its programs
• Ability 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 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 the job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be l isted.

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the field of fire science technology, fire protection engineering or related area may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.

CERTIFICATION

Applicants must possess a Fire Official Certification issued by the Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.