What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Inspector II position at Fairfax County?
The primary function of this position is to enforce the fire prevention code through inspections of new and existing buildings and regulated properties. Duties include:
Note: If applicants do not meet the Fire Inspector II certification requirements, vacancies may be underfilled at the level of Fire Inspector I (Pay Grade S17) for up to one year pending requirement completion. See the Underfill Requirements listed in the Employment Standards below.
THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE OBTAINED WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT:
Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course Fire Protection Systems Inspection;
The following Certifications must be obtained within one year of appointment:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course "Fire Protection Systems Inspection"
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, sanctions screening and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314.DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
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- Inspecting job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems.
- Witnessing required contractor conducted performance tests.
- Inspecting new and existing structures and permitted worksites to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments.
- Investigating and troubleshooting problems related to building fire protection equipment and systems. Investigating complaints against builders or property owners, for validity, and recommending corrective action when necessary.
- Receiving and responding to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment, installation status, permitting requirements, codes, and standards.
- Entering all inspection results into a portable computer terminal or maintaining complete records of inspections and test results.
- Identifying regulation sections being violated, issuing written code violation notices, and taking necessary action to ensure violations are corrected.
- Reading and interpreting approved building plans and specifications.
- Reviewing requests for inspections and coordinating with other county agencies and departments.
- Interpreting applicable codes and standards.
- Attending meetings, conferences, and training.
- Preparing reports and composing correspondence.
- Responding to on-call duties outside of normal business hours.
Note: If applicants do not meet the Fire Inspector II certification requirements, vacancies may be underfilled at the level of Fire Inspector I (Pay Grade S17) for up to one year pending requirement completion. See the Underfill Requirements listed in the Employment Standards below.
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description).
- Inspects job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems;
- Witnesses required performance tests conducted by the installing contractor;
- Inspects buildings, structures, and other permitted work to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments;
- Investigates and troubleshoots problems related to fire protection equipment and systems as they occur in buildings;
- Inspects new construction to ensure construction is in compliance with the VSFPC, VUSBC, and other applicable codes and ensures construction is completed in accordance with approved plans;
- Investigates complaints against builders or property owners, evaluates their validity, and recommends corrective action when necessary;
- Receives and responds to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment and system requirements, installation status, permitting requirements, code, standards, or fire inspections, etc.;
- Enters results of each inspection into a portable computer terminal or maintains complete records of inspections and test results of performance testing of fire protection equipment and systems;
- Identifies the sections of the regulations being violated, when an investigation or inspection uncovers code violations or work that is not approved, and issues written code violation notices to developer, owner(s), or appropriate persons and takes necessary action to ensure violations are corrected with concurrence of the supervisor;
- Reads and interprets approved building plans and specifications;
- Reviews requests for inspections and coordinates inspections with other county agencies (i.e., DPWES, LDS, other sections of the Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Zoning, or Health Department);
- Interprets applicable codes and model standards;
- Attends meetings, conferences, and training;
- Prepares reports and composes correspondence;
- Responds to on-call duties outside of normal business hours and is subject working emergency overtime.
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
- Knowledge of fire protection equipment and systems;
- Knowledge of fire chemistry and behavior, fire prevention fundamentals, general fire safety, physical properties of flammable and combustible solids, liquids, and gases, and fundamentals of fire suppression;
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of model codes and standards;
- Knowledge of the materials and practices used in building construction;
- Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and engineering drawings;
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as fee calculations, proportions, percentages, area and circumference;
- Ability to identify situations that may impact the health, welfare, or safety of the public and take appropriate remedial actions;
- Ability to conduct inspections of buildings and facilities to ensure code compliance;
- Ability to work with people and obtain cooperation, even in difficult situations;
- Ability to prepare clear and factual reports;
- Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school graduation or a GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of commensurate experience as a Fire Inspector I and three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school graduation or a GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of commensurate experience as a Fire Inspector I and three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
- Driver's license (required);
- Certification in Civilian Entry from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs or successful completion of Firefighter I and II;
- Certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness from FEMA IS-5.A - An Introduction to Hazardous Materials;
- Certification as a Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA 1031) from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs;
- Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Academy (CORE Module).
THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE OBTAINED WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT:
Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course Fire Protection Systems Inspection;
UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be underfilled as a Fire Inspector I (Grade S17; $49,589.49 - $82,649.01). The employment standards for the Fire Inspector I are: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to a high school graduation or GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of general work experience and three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.
This position may be underfilled as a Fire Inspector I (Grade S17; $49,589.49 - $82,649.01). The employment standards for the Fire Inspector I are: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to a high school graduation or GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of general work experience and three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's license (required)The following Certifications must be obtained within one year of appointment:
- Certification in Civilian Entry from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs or successful completion of Firefighter I and II;
- Certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs;
- Certification as a Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA 1031) from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs;
- Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Academy (CORE Module);
Applicants hired at the Fire Inspector I will be non-competitively promoted to the Fire Inspector II level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.
Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Fire Inspector II within one year of the job announcement's closing date.
Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Fire Inspector II within one year of the job announcement's closing date.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course "Fire Protection Systems Inspection"
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, sanctions screening and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift to 30 lbs. Must be able to speak articulately in person and on the telephone. Ability to work long periods at a desk. Fully participate, as required as a civilian member of an emergency organization. Ability to climb stairs, climb a ladder, walk for long distances, drive, bend over, stoop. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314.DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
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