Fire Inspector II

Fairfax County Government; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government is seeking a Fire Inspector to enforce the fire prevention code through inspections of buildings and regulated properties. Duties include inspecting sites for compliance, witnessing contractor tests, and maintaining records of inspection results.

The role involves underfill pathways, responding to inquiries, interpreting codes, and coordinating with DPWES and other agencies. A Driver's license and multiple certifications are required.

Qualifications

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school graduation or GED, plus one year of commensurate experience as a Fire Inspector I and three years of work experience or knowledge in fire protection, firefighting, or trades.
• CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: DMV license; Civilian Entry from Virginia Fire Programs or Firefighter I/II; Hazardous Materials Awareness (IS-5.A); Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA 1031); Building Code Academy CORE Module.
• FIRE INSPECTOR II certification must be obtained within 18 months of appointment.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS include lifting up to 30 lbs and ability to work long periods at a desk; bilingual candidates encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Inspect job sites and buildings for code compliance and testing of fire protection equipment and systems.
• Witness contractor performance tests and review building plans and specifications.
• Investigate violations, issue written notices, and coordinate inspections with county agencies.
• Respond to inquiries from citizens, contractors, and developers regarding code requirements and inspections.
• Enter inspection results and maintain records; prepare reports and correspondence.

Job description

Job Announcement

The primary function of this position is to enforce the fire prevention code through inspections of new and existing buildings and regulated properties. Duties include:

• Inspecting job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems.
• Witnessing required contractor conducted performance tests.
• Inspecting new and existing structures and permitted worksites to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments.
• Investigating and troubleshooting problems related to building fire protection equipment and systems. Investigating complaints against builders or property owners, for validity, and recommending corrective action when necessary.
• Receiving and responding to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment, installation status, permitting requirements, codes, and standards.
• Entering all inspection results into a portable computer terminal or maintaining complete records of inspections and test results.
• Identifying regulation sections being violated, issuing written code violation notices, and taking necessary action to ensure violations are corrected.
• Reading and interpreting approved building plans and specifications.
• Reviewing requests for inspections and coordinating with other county agencies and departments.
• Interpreting applicable codes and standards.
• Attending meetings, conferences, and training.
• Preparing reports and composing correspondence.
• Responding to on-call duties outside of normal business hours.

Note: If applicants do not meet the Fire Inspector II certification requirements, vacancies may be underfilled at the level of Fire Inspector I (Pay Grade S17) for up to one year pending requirement completion. See the Underfill requirements listed in the Employment Standards below.

Applicants hired at the Fire Inspector I will be non-competitively promoted to the Fire Inspector II level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description).

• Inspects job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems; Witnesses required performance tests conducted by the installing contractor;
• Inspects buildings, structures, and other permitted work to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments;
• Investigates and troubleshoots problems related to fire protection equipment and systems as they occur in buildings;
• Inspects new construction to ensure construction is in compliance with the VSFPC, VUSBC, and other applicable codes and ensures construction is completed in accordance with approved plans;
• Investigates complaints against builders or property owners, evaluates their validity, and recommends corrective action when necessary;
• Receives and responds to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment and system requirements, installation status, permitting requirements, code, standards, or fire inspections, etc.;
• Enters results of each inspection into a portable computer terminal or maintains complete records of inspections and test results of performance testing of fire protection equipment and systems;
• Identifies the sections of the regulations being violated, when an investigation or inspection uncovers code violations or work that is not approved, and issues written code violation notices to developer, owner(s), or appropriate persons and takes necessary action to ensure violations are corrected with concurrence of the supervisor;
• Reads and interprets approved building plans and specifications;
• Reviews requests for inspections and coordinates inspections with other county agencies (i.e., DPWES, LDS, other sections of the Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Zoning, or Health Department);
• Interprets applicable codes and model standards;
• Attends meetings, conferences, and training;
• Prepares reports and composes correspondence;
• Responds to on-call duties outside of normal business hours and is subject working emergency overtime.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of fire protection equipment and systems;
• Knowledge of fire chemistry and behavior, fire prevention fundamentals, general fire safety, physical properties of flammable and combustible solids, liquids, and gases, and fundamentals of fire suppression;
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of model codes and standards;
• Knowledge of the materials and practices used in building construction;
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and engineering drawings;
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as fee calculations, proportions, percentages, area and circumference;
• Ability to identify situations that may impact the health, welfare, or safety of the public and take appropriate remedial actions;
• Ability to conduct inspections of buildings and facilities to ensure code compliance;
• Ability to work with people and obtain cooperation, even in difficult situations;
• Ability to prepare clear and factual reports;
• Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school graduation or a GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of commensurate experience as a Fire Inspector I and three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, sanctions screening and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license is required for all positions in this class; Certification in Civilian Entry from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs or successful completion of Firefighter I and II; Certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness from FEMA IS-5.A - An Introduction to Hazardous Materials; Certification as a Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA 1031) from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs; Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Academy (CORE Module).

THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE OBTAINED WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT: Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course Fire Protection Systems Inspection.

Applicants hired at the Fire Inspector I will be non-competitively promoted to the Fire Inspector II level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.

Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Fire Inspector II within one year of the job announcement's closing date.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to lift to 30 lbs. Must be able to speak articulately in person and on the telephone. Ability to work long periods at a desk. Fully participate, as required as a civilian member of an emergency organization. Ability to climb stairs, climb a ladder, walk for long distances, drive, bend over, stoop. All duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail]. EEO/AA/TTY.

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