Fire Safety Officer

Connecticut; Wallingford; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A state agency in Wallingford is seeking a Fire Safety Officer responsible for ensuring compliance with fire and life safety codes across facilities. This role requires conducting inspections, fire drills, and providing training for agency personnel. Candidates must possess State of Connecticut Certification as a Fire Marshal and have experience in a fire marshal's office. The position is full-time and includes establishing relationships with fire marshals and ensuring corrective actions for cited violations. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Possess and retain the State of Connecticut Certification as a Fire Marshal.
• One year of experience in a municipal fire marshal's office.
• Ability to apply fire inspection techniques and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes.
• Conduct building inspections and fire drills.
• Provide training on fire safety program.

Skills

Knowledge of fire safety codes

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Education

State of Connecticut Certification as a Fire Marshal

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Introduction

Are you a certified fire service professional committed to protecting lives and ensuring code compliance? We invite qualified candidates to apply for the position of Fire Safety Officer and play a vital role in maintaining fire and life safety across agency facilities! The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – is accepting applications for one (1) Fire Safety Officer position located in Wallingford, CT. The incumbent selected for this position will be responsible for ensuring full compliance with fire and life safety codes across all assigned facilities. The position oversees building inspections, emergency evacuation planning, fire drills, and the inspection and testing of fire protection systems, while maintaining strong working relationships with state and municipal fire marshals. The Fire Safety Officer also provides training and guidance to agency personnel, supports construction and renovation projects through compliance reviews, and ensures accurate documentation and communication of all fire and life safety activities. Through proactive audits, inspections, and corrective actions, this role plays a critical part in safeguarding lives, property, and operational continuity. This position is critical to the health and safety of employees and individuals served in DDS owned and operated and DDS owned and provider operated buildings by auditing the building and processes for compliance with fire and life safety codes to prevent citations by CT Department of Public Health (DPH) and OSFM. This position also ensures that Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) cited violations are corrected in a timely manner. The position also serves as a liaison to Private Providers and Local Fire Marshals. For a more detailed list of duties, follow this link.

Position Highlights

• PCN 29269
• Full-time | 40 Hours per week
• Four (4) – Ten (10) hour days Tuesday – Friday | 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
• Regular days off: Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

At a state agency, college or university this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks related to fire and life safety activities for state-owned buildings within an assigned region.

Examples of Duties

• Serves as a fire safety officer ensuring compliance with fire and life safety codes, building inspections, emergency evacuation plans, fire evacuation drill evaluations, and testing fire prevention equipment (e.g., fire alarms, sprinkler systems, etc.).
• Maintains a current understanding of the fire and life safety codes applicable to all agency buildings.
• Develops and maintains relationships with regional leadership, and state and municipal fire marshals’ offices to develop a cohesive working relationship.
• Ensures communication both internally and externally in an accurate and timely manner.
• Assists in the design and maintenance of emergency evacuation plans for all assigned buildings.
• Conducts fire and life safety code compliance audits, inspections and/or evacuation score program reviews.
• Provides educational instruction and training on the fire safety program to non-firefighting departmental personnel, other agency personnel and individuals.
• Liaises with the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) during fire and life safety code inspections and notices of violation, and implements corrective action plans.
• Conducts inspection and testing of fire protection systems required by state and federal fire and life safety codes.
• Conducts assigned fire and life safety code compliance reviews for construction projects.
• Liaises with municipal or state fire marshals during fire investigation, as assigned.
• Documents all actions taken to achieve compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes.
• Performs related duties as required.
• In the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), maintains current understanding of the fire and life safety codes applicable to residential settings, DDS provider-operated buildings, other day programs, and office, maintenance and storage buildings; conducts on-site verification of data submitted for the issuance of E-Scores; assists providers and agency staff with completing E-Score surveys.
• In a Connecticut State Community College System or a state university, develops processes and procedures for training in support of the fire safety program, emergency operations plans, hazardous materials safety data sheets and assists in other environmental concerns as requested; serves as a technical resource to college or university community and regulatory agencies on behalf of the college or university; ensures all fire-related licenses and permits are maintained and appropriate records and reports are completed in compliance with national standards on behalf of the college or university.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply fire and life safety codes and compliance; relevant agency policies and procedures; fire inspection techniques; firefighting and fire prevention; fire equipment and its maintenance; safety practices and procedures related to chemicals and hazardous materials; state and federal laws and regulations regarding storage and transportation of chemicals and hazardous materials; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to read and analyze building or structure plans including blueprints; prepare comprehensive reports; utilize computer software.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Possess and retain the State of Connecticut Certification as a Fire Marshal in accordance with CGS 29-298(a) and CGS 29-298(b) and as credentialed by the Office of Education and Data Management.

Minimum Qualifications - Special Experience

One (1) year of experience in a municipal fire marshal’s office serving in the capacity of a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, or Fire Inspector.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 and associated products.
• Experience in reviewing construction documents for compliance with fire and life safety code.
• Experience in inspecting Healthcare Occupancies and Group Homes.

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class will be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications including certification by the State Fire Marshal as a Fire Marshal in accordance with CGS 29‑298(a) and CGS 29‑298(b) and as credentialed by the Office of Education and Data Management.
• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain National certification by the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NPQS) or the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or State Certification as regulated by the Connecticut Fire Academy, meeting the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firefighter 2.
• Incumbents in this class will be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle operator's license.

Character Requirements

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

Physical Requirements

Applicants will be required to pass a physical exam.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.