Fire Prevention Inspector- PT

Objective & Relationships

The residents of Janesville choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a place to realize life’s opportunities. We strive to sustain a community culture where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated. As such, the City of Janesville recognizes the importance of developing an environment where diversity is not merely accepted but embraced and celebrated. As public servants, we believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. To this end, we will diligently recruit and retain the most talented employees in an environment that fosters maximizing one’s potential. Therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to consider employment with the City of Janesville and serve the residents of “Wisconsin’s Park Place”.

OBJECTIVE:
Under the general direction of the Fire Marshal the Fire Prevention Inspector is responsible for inspection, code enforcement, and independent work in coordinating and performing the ongoing activities of the Fire Prevention Bureau of the Janesville Fire Department. In addition to performing all fire code inspections (in conformance with local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations), the employee is responsible for providing public education, public relations, and program work the employee must exercise considerable judgment, discretion, and expertise. The position of Part-time Fire Prevention Inspector is a non-sworn position located in the Fire Prevention Bureau of the Janesville Fire Department.

Supervises: None

RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to: Fire Marshal

Has frequent interaction with shift personnel as their duties pertain to code enforcement, property inspection, prevention bureau training, fire prevention program analysis, fire prevention activities, and public education.

Has frequent professional contacts with appointed City officials, Department staff, outside governmental agencies, law enforcement personnel, court officers and attorneys, community organizations, property owners, and the general public.

Essential Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by the incumbent. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performs general and specialized inspections, including but not limited to fire inspections, sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, and smoke detection.
• Investigates citizen complaints and referrals, and performs inspections to initiate enforcement activities as appropriate.
• Reviews findings of inspections with owner/occupants and explains requirements for meeting compliance with codes and regulations; conducts follow-up inspections for violation abatements; works with the City attorney on code violations.
• Maintains records of inspections, complaints, findings and prepares reports.
• Educates the public on fire safety issues, speaks to large groups, and presents fire prevention program information at schools and other special events. Promotes good public relations for both the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Fire Department. Develops effective press releases on Fire Prevention.
• Assists in the introduction of all new codes and their implementation into the Janesville Fire Department. Works with and trains personnel on duties required of the Fire Inspector(s).
• Works with Janesville Fire Department personnel to coordinate pre-fire planning of new industries, mercantile establishments, high hazard areas, and trains Shift Inspectors in code application and inspection forms.
• Reviews, interprets, and enforces all fire-related codes adopted by the City of Janesville and the State of Wisconsin.
• Assists in efficiently managing the resources of the Fire Prevention Bureau.
• Informs the Fire Marshal and other responsible personnel of:
  • All new industries,
  • New construction of business,
  • New housing units or any new public buildings,
  • Any hazards that may be encountered in the line of Firefighting,
  • New Code requirements.
• Attends required schools and training for building and fire codes.
• Performs other special projects and other duties as required or assigned during regular and non-business hours, including providing support as a part of any City response to essential or emergency operations.
• Follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures; reports all unsafe conditions and acts to supervisor; reports all accidents to the supervisor immediately whenever possible; follows recognized safe work practices.
• Performs other special projects and other job duties as assigned or required during regular and non-business hours.
• All employees may be assigned by the City Manager or their designee to perform duties and assume responsibilities that are outside the scope of their work duties when the City Manager has declared a City disaster

Minimum Position Requirements/Qualifications

The requirements listed below are necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

• A High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• A valid state-issued driver’s license at time of hire is required.
• Possess and maintain a Wisconsin Fire Inspector certification as department requirements dictate.

• Two years of fire service education and/or code enforcement experience is preferred.
• Wisconsin Certified Firefighter II preferred.

• Thorough knowledge of construction methods and materials.
• Thorough knowledge of local, state, and Federal fire codes, and good ability to consistently apply and enforce them effectively and uniformly.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient level of technical skills in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize duties and accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing, paired with a strong customer service background, and effective interpersonal skills.
• Collaboration skills to effectively work with others to achieve common goals through communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• Critical thinking skills to effectively analyze situations and solve complex or technical problems in a timely manner.

• Good ability to formulate and implement an effective, efficient Fire Prevention Program.
• Ability to uniformly enforce regulations and fire codes in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, and to obtain conformance with the same.
• Ability to accurately complete and process required forms for the installation of fire protection systems and components, and building alterations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form, and to follow verbal and written instructions with minimum supervision.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently schedule and organize workload, maintain required records, prepare accurate reports, and multitask.
• Ability to maintain a positive behavior and professional demeanor when dealing with the public.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to work effectively, within the boundaries of responsibility, and as part of a team.
• Good ability to be organized and make decisions.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment with fluid priorities, frequent interruptions, and multiple, sometimes competing work assignments, with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to use tact, diplomacy, and good judgment to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under Wisconsin Statutes and Regulations, Wisconsin Administrative Code, City of Janesville General Ordinances, and Department policy.
• Must be reliable, timely, and proactive in completion of duties.
• Ability to comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures, and report all unsafe activities or conditions to supervisor.
• Ability to use good judgment and exercise discretion.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City appointed and elected officials, Department, Division, and Office heads, City employees, consultants, developers, architects, engineers, realtors, surveyors, community interest groups, other governmental agencies, and the general public.
• Exhibit exceptional professionalism, tact, and decorum in all areas of work duties.
• Strong ethics base built upon integrity, honesty, initiative, and respect; maintain strict confidentiality.
• Interact positively with a diverse group of individuals, and work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• Embrace and actively promote an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Conduct all business and working relationships in an accurate, fair, equitable and highly ethical manner.
• Work with the public in a fair and consistent manner, maintaining objectivity and excluding personal bias while performing job duties
• Reliable, timely, and proactive in the completion of duties, meeting deadlines and responding to inquiries.
• Work with others in a positive and supportive manner to solve problems, generate ideas, and accomplish division and City goals.

Supplemental Information

EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS, AND MACHINES:
Machinery and equipment used in fire operations; basic office equipment, including calculator, computers, printers, copiers, audio-visual equipment, facsimile machines, telephone, scanner, cameras, specific software developed for the Fire Department, and general office equipment. Department-specific equipment, including 2-way radios, fire extinguishers, and appropriate chemical monitoring equipment, respirator, and/or breathing apparatus. Personal protective equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a general office environment, and occasionally outdoors, in buildings and at construction sites, at times under adverse or unpleasant conditions and in all types of weather. The employee is regularly required to sit or walk for extended periods of time. There is also exposure to many unknown conditions, including possible hazardous sites and dangerous situations or conditions. The employee may be exposed to hearing hazards, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, and oils. Hearing sufficient to detect alarms, radio, and telephones in the presence of moderately high levels of background noise is also required.

An individual in this position is frequently required to see/observe, talk/speak, and listen/hear; sit, walk, stand, and, on occasion, may need to lift, carry, push, or pull objects, up to 30 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to stand, stoop, and climb or balance; use hands to finger, handle, grasp, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; repetitive arm, hand, and eye movements are included. There is occasional twisting, kneeling, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching, and wrist turning. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. An employee is required to use cognitive ability to reason, analyze, and verbalize thoughts and ideas.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places. The employee is required to operate a motor vehicle.

This position requires a regular 16-hour work week schedule. Work schedule flexibility will be established collaboratively between the employee and supervisor based on operational needs. Attendance at night meetings and special events may occasionally be required.

For purposes of drug and alcohol testing, this position is classified as safety sensitive.

DISCLAIMER
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position, or is responsive to the needs of the City of Janesville.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Janesville, Wisconsin, is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.