FIRE INSPECTOR

The purpose of this position is to provide fire code inspections and enforcement in commercial occupancies within the Town and ETJ and provide technical support to Town employees, property owners, and developers on matters of code compliance and safety.

 A successful candidate will need:  

• A commitment to public safety and contributing to positive community interactions on behalf of the Chapel Hill Fire Department
• Significant experience with fire code application/enforcement, fire investigation approaches, and emergency services
• A strong desire to improve fire safety throughout the Town of Chapel Hill and champion Community Risk Reduction strategies that assist in making our community safer.
• The ability to work as part of a team and have the initiative and responsibility to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills that will foster strong partnerships and effective teamwork with internal/external stakeholders, community partners, and staff

Working for the Town of Chapel Hill

The Town of Chapel Hill is committed to talent development and will provide professional development opportunities to help employees build the portfolio of technical skills and experiences needed to advance their careers. Chapel Hill is a multicultural university town where a dynamic downtown and networked community inspire connections, innovation, technology, discovery, learning, and the arts.

Work hours will sometimes need to be adjusted to accommodate service demands including evenings and weekends.

This position is considered an essential driver and subject to the Town's Safe Driving and Accident procedures.

Schedules and conducts inspections of properties; prepares reports, documentation and citations; enter data into our database; coordinates with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. ToCH employees, contractors, architects and engineers); generates permits for compliant projects and processes; evaluates and interprets current and prior codes; interprets and applies regulations to sites, work areas, buildings, structures and systems; utilizes interpersonal skills and education to facilitate compliance; may perform technical reviews of construction plans to ensure compliance with local, state and federal codes.

Performs and coordinates fire scene investigations; excavates and reconstructs fire scenes and other incidents; determines origins and cause of fires; photographs, sketches, and documents findings; maintains chain of custody of evidence; testifies in court as needed; Interviews/documents witness, victim, suspect and responder testimony; communicates with outside entities such as NC Office of State Fire Marshal, insurance companies, NCSBI on matters related to the investigation of fires.

Provides fire and life safety education outreach; maintains a professional public relations image; creates, coordinates, manages and delivers fire education programs; oversees delivery of fire education programs delivered by the fire companies; coordinates and manages child injury prevention reduction program

Provides high level of customer service and positive interaction with all.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Supervision
 None

Physical Demands
 The work requires intermittent standing or stooping. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.

Work Environment

The work is typically performed in a variety of environments and locations involving high heat, extreme temperatures, difficult terrain, and varying heights, confined spaces, limited visibility, and hazardous atmospheres. Work environments include fire stations, vehicle, and at emergency scenes.

An equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

 
 Knowledge of:

• Fire prevention and life safety practices and procedures;
• Fire protection systems compliance, inspection, testing and maintenance;
   Local, state, federal and model fire and building codes and laws; Public information practices;
• Fire investigation practices, processes and procedures;
• Customer service, conflict resolution and complaint handling;
   Basic safety practices;
• Technical report writing;
• Public education techniques;
• Technology software and hardware
• Fire suppression practices, strategies, tactics and standards;
• Search and rescue methods and extrication techniques;
• Fire scene management principles and methods, practices, strategies, tactics and standards;
• Building construction principles, methods and practices;
• Town and department policies and procedures;
• Water supply analysis, locations and limitations; hazardous materials;
• First-aid and CPR;

Ability to: 

• Read and comprehend;
• Perform mathematical problem solving;
• Communicate orally and in writing
• Work in a fast pace environment at times in high stress situations; 
• Facilitate problem resolution through collaborative methods and means; 
• Deliver public presentations;
• Prepare and maintain accurate, timely and detailed information, note, records and reports;
• Display a professional image, manner and demeanor;
• Work independently with little direction or supervision;
• Demonstrate time management and organizational skills;
• Utilize and care for technology equipment;
• Respond, participate or assist with emergency incidents and operate within the ICS system in accordance with departmental SOP's;
• Provide emergency care as needed;
• Be assigned to operational roles as needed;
• Participate in training courses; 
• Model behavior consistent with TOCH values of RESPECT;

 Education

Minimum: A high school diploma or equivalent 

Preferred: An ideal candidate will possess a certificate in fire management, fire protection technology, or a similar certificate or degree program.

Experience 

At least 5 years of Fire Service experience. Preferred: 3-5 years of Fire Inspection experience.

Certifications 

• Class B NC Driver's License;
• Standard Fire Inspector Level II;
• Fire Officer I;
• Fire Instructor I;
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
• NC Firefighter;
• NC EMT; 
• Child Passenger Safety Technician (or ability to acquire within 18 months) 
• Fire and Life Safety Educator (or the ability to acquire within 18 months)

Salary : $49,647 - $61,730