Fire Inspector

Description

GENERAL PURPOSE: Under general supervision, performs inspections of buildings and construction projects for compliance with fire and life-safety protection aspects of codes and regulations, performs fire prevention inspections and investigations, and reviews proposed construction plans for compliance with fire and life-safety protection aspects of building and construction codes and municipal regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

PRIMARY   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.  

• Examines plans and conducts inspections for compliance with fire and life-safety related codes and standards; makes corrections or requires corrections to be made so that plans and practices will conform to regulations.
• Tests fire protection systems, underground fire lines, emergency access points; conducts investigations of structural fires, including evidence collection and witness interviews.
• Consults with architects, engineers, designers, contractors and homeowners concerning deficiencies with fire and life-safety related requirements; interprets, applies and explains codes and regulations; resolves problems that arise due to code or structural design.
• Receives inspection requests, reviews permits and schedules and performs inspections.
• Inspects existing structures and new construction; approves work conforming to codes and regulations; requires corrections to be made when deficiencies are discovered.
• Maintains records and files associated with plan review and inspection process, problems and permits; prepares periodic reports and conducts surveys as required.
• Provides customer service; answers questions and concerns related to codes and requirements.
• Responds to requests for information; provides technical information to City staff as authorized; provides assistance to the public within scope of authority; assists with public education programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.   SUPERVISION EXERCISED: There are generally no supervisory responsibilities for employees of this classification.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience: Associates Degree in Fire Science or related field required, Bachelor's Degree preferred, three (3) years of experience in a fire service related field (firefighter, fire inspector, fire investigator, etc.), plan review or other related experience, and a working knowledge of building construction, materials, codes and usage of laws relating to fire and life-safety aspects of plan review and building inspection. Additionally, this position requires a current International Code Council Fire Inspector I and Fire Inspector II certification.  

Special Requirements: Must be able to obtain  International Association of Arson Investigators I-IV Course or equivalent; depending on the needs of the City, some incumbents in this job class may be required to obtain additional technical certifications such as appropriate International Council of Building Officials (ICBO) certification.

Supplemental Information

Necessary Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of: - City policies and procedures. - Principles and practices of fire inspection and fire prevention. - Principles and practices of the construction industry and building trades, and specifically of the fire and life-safety aspects of plan review and building inspection. - Federal, state and local fire, building, zoning, housing and safety laws, rules ordinances, codes and regulations. - Structural principles and practices applicable to residential and commercial buildings. - Building construction methods and materials. - Principles of record keeping and records management.   Skill in; - Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the general public. - Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software. - Reading and interpreting complex plans and specifications, and communicating technical requirements to architects, engineers, contractors, developers and the general public - Interpreting and applying statutes, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations - Planning, prioritizing and scheduling multiple tasks, projects and demands. - Assessing, analyzing, identifying and recommending solutions to problems. - Following and effectively communicating verbal and written instructions.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:   Work is performed outdoors, on construction sites and in a standard office environment.

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

This is a general summary of benefits afforded City of Casa Grande employees.  The information contained herein is not exhaustive, is not a contract, and is subject to change at any time without notice. Specific current benefit information is available from the Human Resources department.  Questions about this information should also be addressed to the Human Resources department.  This information generally applies to regular full and part time employees.

HEALTH, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE:    The first of the month following 30 days of employment, employees are eligible for insurance coverage. The cost of employee health, vision and dental insurance is paid by the City.  Employees may cover eligible dependents with the City paying one-half of the expense and the employee paying one-half.

LIFE INSURANCE:   The city covers the cost of employee life insurance coverage.  Employees earning more than $20,000 per year have a life insurance benefit of 50% of their annual salary .The basic employee life insurance benefit for employees earning less than $20,000 per year is $10,000.    SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE: The City allows several types of supplemental insurance offered by companies to employees through payroll deduction. The City does not endorse these products, which include supplemental life, accident, short-term disability, cancer, intensive care, legal services and identity theft.     WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE:   All City employees are covered for on-the-job injuries through worker's compensation insurance.  Premiums for this coverage is paid by the City and are based on payroll.   COMMUTING INSURANCE:   Employees are automatically covered when traveling to and from work in the event of catastrophic injuries resulting from an accident.   RETIREMENT PLANS: City employees are assisted in planning for retirement in several ways.  All employees, except firefighters, contribute a mandated percentage of their gross wages to the Social Security System and a Medicare tax, which is also matched by the City.  In addition, all regular City employees are enrolled in a retirement plan, Public Safety Retirement for police officers and firefighters, and the Arizona State Retirement System for all others.  The employee and City contribution rates are as follows:   Plan                             Employee Contribution                    City Contribution State Retirement                     12.22%                                                12.22% Public Safety (Police)              Depends on membership date into Retirement System       Public Safety (Fire)                  Depends on membership date into Retirement System   457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN:  The City also offers a voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan through ICMA Retirement Corporation. The City does not match employee contributions.   SHEAKLEY FLEXIBLE BENEFITS:   Qualified expenses, such as dependent insurance premiums, dependent care and health care expenses can be deducted directly from your paycheck and claimed for reimbursement when used.  These deductions are taken before taxes, reducing your taxable income.   EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:   The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free, confidential counseling to employees and their immediate family members.    LONG-TERM DISABILITY PROGRAM:   Employees enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System pay premiums to be covered by the System's Long-Term Disability Program (LTD).  Benefits are provided to qualified members who are unable to work due to a disability after six months.   HOLIDAYS: The City of Casa Grande observes ten holidays each year, including one floating holiday.

PAID TIME OFF: All regular, full-time and eligible part-time employees will accrue/earn Paid Time Off (PTO) beginning on the employee's first day of employment with the City. Employees are eligible to utilize accrued/earned PTO immediately. There is an annual graduated accrual schedule, capping at 12 years. Regular part-time employees who work less than full-time but more than 1040 hours per year shall accrue PTO at a rate of 3.077 hours per pay period worked. FAMILY DEATH LEAVE: The City has a policy, which allows time away from work in the event of the death of a family member as defined by our Personnel Policy.   MILITARY LEAVE:   The City grants military leave in accordance with the provisions of State law.    JURY LEAVE:   Employees required to serve as a juror shall be entitled to leave according to the provisions of the Personnel Policy.   FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA):   Eligible employees are granted up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period according to the law.    PAYROLL DIRECT DEPOSIT: Employees may have their paychecks deposited directly into checking or savings accounts at their bank through the direct payroll deposit plan offered by the City.    CREDIT UNIONS: City employees may participate in credit union membership through payroll deduction.  Local credit unions have payroll deduction slots and employees may make savings or checking account deposits or have loan payments deducted through payroll deduction authorization.   SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM: Each month, employees may request and take two hours off with pay to volunteer their time in classrooms or at other qualified school programs.  Employees do not need to have children in school to participate in this volunteer program.  A School Involvement Program form must be filled out by the employee and signed by a teacher or administrator from the school in which the volunteer activity took place.    UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT:   Equipment and uniforms provided to employees varies by department.