GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES :

Under direction performs technical and administrative work involving plan examination and inspection of new, existing, and altered buildings and structures to ensure compliance with the State and local fire codes, ordinances and regulations.

Employees in this class possess advanced knowledge of fire and life safety codes, building construction methods, materials, and principles, as well as applicable City, County, regional, and State regulatory practices.

Work involves technical fire plan examinations of commercial and residential building plans, and the application of standard trade practices to inspection work.

Inspections are conducted independently but in accordance with department regulations and established technical standards.

Incumbents provide direction and guidance to other City inspectors as needed. Performs related work as required.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATEMENT

All employees may be subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description.

Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Conducts field inspections of new and existing buildings and special event venues to ensure compliance with all adopted local, state and federal fire prevention and life safety codes and ordinances.
• Receives, reviews and analyzes building site plans, architectural drawings and other documentation to determine minimum compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances;

reviews and analyzes code compliance of fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, hydrant flow calculations, occupancy and load capacities or other items.

Conducts code enforcement activities; investigates complaints of unsafe construction, unsafe conditions of construction or occupancy and other complaints;

identifies code violations and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

• Meets with architects, engineers, property owners, and other individuals to answer questions and discuss violations; provides advice and direction regarding minimum code compliance and corrective actions.
• Issues code compliance notices and official correction notices to inform violators of discrepancies and compliance deadlines;

testifies in court as needed; performs follow-up site inspections as needed.

Conducts the investigation of suspected arson; gathers and preserves evidence; interviews witnesses; photographs fire scenes;

analyzes fire scenes and evidence to determine cause, origin, circumstances and pattern of fires; assembles and maintains case files and physical evidence.

Facilitates fire and life safety education classes to business owners, property owners, school groups, community organizations, etc.

researches, evaluates and disseminates education materials; prepares equipment and other materials for lessons; ensures safety of all participants.

Maintains documentation of all inspection, enforcement and investigative activities; conducts research; compiles and gathers information and data;

prepares and maintains files and logs; prepares and submits statistical and other related reports; enters information gathered and derived from work activities into computer database.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures; maintains an awareness of new procedures, trends and advances in the profession;

participates in continuing education activities; attends meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.

Operates a vehicle, technical testing equipment, a personal computer, general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

• Data Utilization : Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and / or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
• Human Interaction : Requires the ability to assist persons by action or interaction in carrying out specialized medical, therapeutic, counseling, or related procedures.
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization : Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and / or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and / or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and / or advisory data and information.
• Mathematical Aptitude : Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages;
• may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios;

may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning : Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form;

and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning : Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE :

• Associates degree (preferably Fire Science or related field); supplemented by minimum five (5) years progressively skilled experience in fire inspection and fire plan review, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Possession of a current Florida Firesafety Inspector I Certification issued by the Division of State Fire Marshal's, Bureau of Standards and Training
• A valid Florida driver license, class "E" and possession and maintenance of a driving record which meets or exceeds minimum City driving standards.
• Preferred Florida Fire safety Inspector II and / or NFPA Certified Plan Examiner

Last updated : 2024-03-03