Fire Inspector

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Fire Marshal, employee is responsible for performing such tasks as inspections, enforcing the City of The Colony ordinances, and conducting and assisting in fire investigations. Investigates routine complaints of fire/life safety hazards, incidents, and investigations of The Colony Fire Department. The position will be involved in varying degrees with public education, public relations, record keeping, and report writing.

Examples of Duties

• Conduct inspections of commercial businesses, public buildings, Certificate of Occupancies, and state licensed facilities. Inspect all related occupancies at least once a year.
• Inspect new construction projects to ensure compliance with adopted codes, ordinances, state and federal laws.
• Complete fire inspection forms and other miscellaneous forms used by the department.
• Prepare clear and concise inspection reports in accordance with applicable codes and standards within the city limits.
• Evaluate fire protection and detection systems and equipment, ensuring that they are compliant with the occupancy or hazard being protected.
• Coordinate and present life and fire safety/prevention programs to citizens and groups within the city limits.
• Demonstrates sound principles and practices in fire prevention education techniques and delivery methods.
• Assist the Fire Operations Division in developing pre-fire plans.
• Attend and complete all training as required for certification requirements and departmental standards.
• Provide assistance to the Fire Operations Division in data collection of vital statistics during inspection activities.
• Conduct fire investigations. Inspect and evaluate fire scenes to determine area or point of origin, source of ignition, material ignited, and act or activity that brought ignition source and materials together. Assess the subsequent progression, extinguishment and containment of the fire.
• Document fire scene. May include diagramming the scene, photographing, and taking field notes to compile a final report.
• Coordinate investigation turn-over to Fire Marshal in the event arson is suspected.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

Must have an extensive working knowledge of fire prevention, inspections, and fire prevention techniques, laws codes and regulations relating to fire prevention and general working knowledge of the fire department. Must have excellent communicative skills including reading, writing, and public relation skills. To perform the essential functions of the job, must be able to work under stress; exhibit emotional stability; work in adverse environment; ability to see, hear, walk, talk, perform physical activity, crawling, bending, kneeling, climb on and off equipment; make quick sound decisions, and work other hours as needed.

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications

• TCFP Basic Firefighter
• 2 years of fire service experience.
• TCFP Basic Fire Inspector
• TCFP Fire and Life Safety Educator 1
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications, but not required:

• Basic TCOLE
• TCFP Fire Investigator
• TCFP Plans Examiner
  
  

High School Diploma/GED at minimum; Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Engineering, Fire Protection, Fire Science, Emergency Management or other closely related fields preferred.

Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and a good driving record.

Benefits For All Full-time/Part-time Regular Employees Include

TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM

All full-time employees are participants of TMRS; this is a mandatory contribution. (Part-time regular employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week are participants of TMRS) The employee contribution rate is 7% per pay period; the City matches the contribution 2-1. There is a 5 year vesting period. Employees are eligible to retire at any age after 20 years of service or at age 60 with 5 years of service.

OPTIONAL RETIREMENTThe City offers employees the option of contributing to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and/or Roth IRA’s through payroll deduction. The City does not match these contributions.

SOCIAL SECURITY/FICA

These deductions are matched by the City.

MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION COVERAGE

All full-time employees have Medical, Dental, Vision, Life w/AD&D, and LTD insurance coverage paid for by the City. (Part-time regular employees who work a minimum of 30 hours per week qualify for this coverage) Employees have the option of purchasing dependent coverage.

SECTION 125 IRS BENEFIT PLANS

Employees who have dependent health or any supplementary insurance premiums deducted from their checks are eligible to pay their premiums, "pre-taxed". Pre-taxed flexible spending accounts are also available for health and dependent care.

Voluntary/Supplemental Benefits

Employees have the option of purchasing supplemental benefits through AFLAC and LegalShield.

VACATION

Full-time Employees Vacation Accrues As Follows

0-5 years 10 days per year

5-10 years 15 days per year

10-20 years 20 days per year

20 years 25 days per year

Employees are eligible to take vacation after 6 months of employment.

Part-time regular employees accrue vacation leave at ½ the accrual rate of a full-time employee.

SICK LEAVE

Sick leave accrues at 8 hours per month for full-time employees. (Fire accrues at 12 hours per month) Maximum accrual is 1,040 hours.

Part-time regular employees accrue sick leave at ½ the accrual rate of a full-time employee.

SICK LEAVE POOL

The sick leave pool allows the employees to donate up to 24 hours of sick leave per year (employees must have a minimum of 96 hours of sick leave accumulated before contributing). This pool was created to help employees during a catastrophic injury or illness.

HOLIDAYS

Full-time employees receive 14 paid holidays per year. This includes 1 personal floating holiday that may be taken at any time during the calendar year after 6 months of employment.

New Year’s Day Columbus Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Veterans Day

Presidents Day Thanksgiving Day

Good Friday Day after Thanksgiving

Memorial Day Christmas Eve

Juneteenth Christmas Day

Independence Day Floating Holiday (Personal Day)

Labor Day

Part-time regular employees accrue holiday leave at ½ the accrual rate of a full-time employee.

LONGEVITY

All full-time employees with more than 1 year of service are eligible to receive longevity pay at the rate of $10 per month for each month of service. This is paid once a year in November. Part-time regular employees become eligible to receive this benefit after 5 years of service.

CERTIFICATE PAY

Some employees may be eligible to receive Certificate Pay in increments of $50, $100 or $125 per month depending upon the type of certification. Certification that is required per the job description in order to be employed is not eligible for pay under this plan.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

Full-time employees may be reimbursed up to $300 per semester for college courses. The courses must relate to their job, must have a passing grade of at least a “C”, and obtain Director approval. This benefit may be used after 6 months of employment.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Provided by the city to help employees and their family members manage life’s challenges by identifying options and making informed choices regarding Counseling Services, Legal Services, Financial Services, and Work/Life Wellness Resources.

PARK PASSES

Full-time and part-time regular employees receive a free year round park pass that can be used at Stewart Creek and Hidden Cove Park.