What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Inspector position at Snohomish County, WA?
Description
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office, housed within Planning and Development Services, provides safe, livable environments through inspection, investigation and education. The county Fire Marshal's Office is built around a group of creative and resourceful individuals whose primary role is "Focus on Safety" and who understand our goal is to support our citizens. Taking the lead in relationships with other government agencies, businesses and public groups on a daily basis, we pride ourselves on being highly motivated professionals, working around the clock to provide the utmost in problem resolution and public well-being.
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office focuses on fire investigations, plan review and inspections for new construction and development as well as annual fire and life safety inspections for the renewal of certificates of occupancy for existing commercial businesses within unincorporated Snohomish County.
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office is currently seeking highly motivated, self-directed, solution-oriented, and innovative applicants to serve as a Fire Inspector. The successful candidate will conduct annual fire and life safety inspections; fire systems inspections; special event inspections; and promote fire and life safety through compliance with county and state fire prevention codes and regulations. The successful candidate will represent the Fire Marshal's Office in local, regional, and state fire prevention meetings, attend job-related training, be expected to continue and further the growth of the Fire Marshal's Office, and maintain partnerships with other fire prevention jurisdictions.
Not sure you meet the minimum qualifications? Apply and let us decide. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage everyone to apply.
Benefits
Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family and will be invested in your success and growth. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, pension opportunities, and employer paid ORCA cards. Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth and offers the following benefits to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package:
This is a field position assigned a county vehicle, and a significant part of the job is to conduct site visits. The administrative work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned. For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is available.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop; and when working remotely, must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
About Snohomish County
Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
Snohomish County - The Future We Choose- video
Job Duties
BASIC FUNCTION
To conduct on-site fire inspections of complex residential and commercial buildings for compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and standards. To promote fire and life safety through compliance of County and state fire prevention codes and regulations.
Statement Of Essential Job Duties
Satisfactory completion of the one (1) year fire inspection training program; OR, three (3) years of experience in the area of land use, insurance, civil or criminal law investigation; OR, any combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Experience with fire inspection is preferred. Must pass job related tests.
Special Requirements
A valid Washington State Driver's License is required.
Certification as a Fire Inspector by the International Code Council (ICC) or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is required.
Additional Information
Knowledge And Abilities
Knowledge of:
Employees receive general supervision from the Fire Marshal. Assignments are made by indicating generally what is to be done, the quantity of work expected and any deadlines which are to be met. The employee plans and carries out successive steps and resolves problems in accordance with instructions, policies and accepted practices. The work is reviewed by evaluation of results obtained.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather at work sites throughout the county.
Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
EEO policy and ADA notice
Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.
County Benefits
Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Benefits to learn more about the following benefits.
01
Following are a series of supplemental questions designed to assess your job related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general online application. The employment history and education detailed in your general application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.
A resume may be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume" or "see application" may not be considered.
Do you agree to answer each question truthfully and that your responses can be supported by your general application/work history and by your references?
How many years of experience do you have in any of the following areas: Fire inspections, building inspections, land use review?
Do you have a valid Washington State Driver’s License?
Do you have a certification as a Fire Inspector I from the International Code Council (ICC)?
Describe how your work experience has prepared you for a fire inspector position in Planning & Development Services. (20 pts.)
06
Describe your knowledge of and experience interpreting, enforcing and educating on fire codes and standards. (15 pts.)
07
Keeping in mind that your customers may include the public, co-workers, other agency staff, other jurisdictions, and elected officials, describe in detail how you would provide excellent customer service to individuals and groups at different levels of the organization and among various groups. (10 pts.)
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office, housed within Planning and Development Services, provides safe, livable environments through inspection, investigation and education. The county Fire Marshal's Office is built around a group of creative and resourceful individuals whose primary role is "Focus on Safety" and who understand our goal is to support our citizens. Taking the lead in relationships with other government agencies, businesses and public groups on a daily basis, we pride ourselves on being highly motivated professionals, working around the clock to provide the utmost in problem resolution and public well-being.
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office focuses on fire investigations, plan review and inspections for new construction and development as well as annual fire and life safety inspections for the renewal of certificates of occupancy for existing commercial businesses within unincorporated Snohomish County.
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office is currently seeking highly motivated, self-directed, solution-oriented, and innovative applicants to serve as a Fire Inspector. The successful candidate will conduct annual fire and life safety inspections; fire systems inspections; special event inspections; and promote fire and life safety through compliance with county and state fire prevention codes and regulations. The successful candidate will represent the Fire Marshal's Office in local, regional, and state fire prevention meetings, attend job-related training, be expected to continue and further the growth of the Fire Marshal's Office, and maintain partnerships with other fire prevention jurisdictions.
Not sure you meet the minimum qualifications? Apply and let us decide. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage everyone to apply.
Benefits
Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family and will be invested in your success and growth. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, pension opportunities, and employer paid ORCA cards. Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth and offers the following benefits to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package:
- Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
- Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plans with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
- Flexible work schedules for some positions.
- Career development training.
- Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
- Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
- Holiday Pay: The County observes 11 paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
- Benefits: The County offers a wide range of benefits including medical and dental, vision, life insurance, Long Term Disability, deferred compensation and more.
- Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
- Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
- Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.
This is a field position assigned a county vehicle, and a significant part of the job is to conduct site visits. The administrative work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned. For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is available.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop; and when working remotely, must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
About Snohomish County
Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
Snohomish County - The Future We Choose- video
Job Duties
BASIC FUNCTION
To conduct on-site fire inspections of complex residential and commercial buildings for compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and standards. To promote fire and life safety through compliance of County and state fire prevention codes and regulations.
Statement Of Essential Job Duties
- Conducts annual on-site fire inspections of complex residential and commercial buildings compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and standards; checks occupancy permit for approved use of the premises; checks for compatible uses in multiple tenant buildings; checks for approved fire extinguishers, obvious electrical hazards, and proper housekeeping; checks the proper use of stored gases and the storage of other flammable materials.
- Investigates complaints of alleged fire code violations; identifies violations and recommends solutions; provides information on county codes, standards, regulations and intra-county processes as necessary.
- Gives written and verbal warnings of code violations; sends out corrective notices, notice and order and order to cease; confirms required compliance as necessary; prepares affidavits; secures and serves temporary restraining orders; secures law enforcement assistance as necessary.
- Conducts special on-site inspections of such things as but not limited to propane and fuel tanks and short term place(s) of assembly applications for permit approval.
- Researches fire codes and National Fire Protection Association literature for fire protection requirements and to determine acceptable alternatives; communicates findings as appropriate.
- Prepares and mails occupancy permit renewals when fire code violations are remedied.
- Maintains necessary written and electronic records and prepares required complex reports and briefings; presents reports and evidence at Hearing Examiner's proceedings, Appeals Board and court trials.
- Analyzes and complies data to determine common violations in order to develop public education programs and materials to promote voluntary compliance of required codes and regulations.
- Participates in joint investigations with other agencies such as fire district officials, fire departments, other county departments, and state agencies such as state electrical inspectors.
- Identifies and makes recommendations for modifications to office policies, regulations, and fire codes.
- Maintains daily written or electronic inspection records and drafts complex detailed reports identifying corrective action.
- Performs ATC-20 and ATC-45 Rapid Assessments of structures to ensure safe occupation of potentially damaged structures. As necessary under the authority of the Building Official, order evacuation of unsafe structures and post appropriate notifications.
- Performs and maintain functional ability to utilize electronic devices and processes as well as radio communication devices.
- As a direct representative of Snohomish County government, exercises exceptional customer service skills during all interactions with the public, builders, stakeholders, other agencies, and property owners.
- During inspections monitor buildings and building sites for conformance with all applicable health, safety, and environmental protection federal, state, and local codes and regulations.
- Performs related duties as required.
Satisfactory completion of the one (1) year fire inspection training program; OR, three (3) years of experience in the area of land use, insurance, civil or criminal law investigation; OR, any combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Experience with fire inspection is preferred. Must pass job related tests.
Special Requirements
A valid Washington State Driver's License is required.
Certification as a Fire Inspector by the International Code Council (ICC) or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is required.
Additional Information
Knowledge And Abilities
Knowledge of:
- building codes, National Fire Protection Association storage standards, International Fire Code
- potential fire hazards
- investigative methods and techniques
- computer skills and electronic data management
- modern complex fire suppression and alarm systems, construction methods, and stages of construction
- customer service methodology, conflict management and effective communication
- disaster preparedness and rapid assessment structural evaluation
- continuous process improvement
- enforce laws, codes, ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact and equity
- independently identify and define related deficiencies or hazards and recommend effective remedial measures
- maintain necessary written and electronic records and prepare required detailed reports
- establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, peers, associates and the general public
- communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- learn and apply new techniques and procedures
- make decisions under pressure
- read, interpret and apply zoning rules, regulations, laws and procedures
- organize field work load and data management to set and meet priorities and time schedules
- present public education programs
- operate computer terminals and applied software packages
Employees receive general supervision from the Fire Marshal. Assignments are made by indicating generally what is to be done, the quantity of work expected and any deadlines which are to be met. The employee plans and carries out successive steps and resolves problems in accordance with instructions, policies and accepted practices. The work is reviewed by evaluation of results obtained.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather at work sites throughout the county.
Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
EEO policy and ADA notice
Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.
County Benefits
Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Benefits to learn more about the following benefits.
- Medical Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Retirement
- Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Long Term Disability (LTD)
- Commuting Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
- Leave & Holidays
- Deferred Compensation 457(b)
- Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
- Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies
- Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these monthly premiums for medical insurance. The County pays the monthly premiums for vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
- Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay pro-rated monthly premiums for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The County's contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned.
01
Following are a series of supplemental questions designed to assess your job related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general online application. The employment history and education detailed in your general application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.
A resume may be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume" or "see application" may not be considered.
Do you agree to answer each question truthfully and that your responses can be supported by your general application/work history and by your references?
- Yes
- No
How many years of experience do you have in any of the following areas: Fire inspections, building inspections, land use review?
- 0 to less than 2 years of expereince
- 2 to less than 3 years of experience
- 3 or more years of experience
Do you have a valid Washington State Driver’s License?
- Yes
- No
- No but I can obtain this before employment
Do you have a certification as a Fire Inspector I from the International Code Council (ICC)?
- Yes
- No
- No, but I can obtain this within 6 months of hire
Describe how your work experience has prepared you for a fire inspector position in Planning & Development Services. (20 pts.)
06
Describe your knowledge of and experience interpreting, enforcing and educating on fire codes and standards. (15 pts.)
07
Keeping in mind that your customers may include the public, co-workers, other agency staff, other jurisdictions, and elected officials, describe in detail how you would provide excellent customer service to individuals and groups at different levels of the organization and among various groups. (10 pts.)
- Required Question