Fire Safety & Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager

El Paso County; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 105,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

El Paso County is seeking a Fire Safety and Wildfire Mitigation Project Manager to lead land use reviews, approve wildfire mitigation plans for developments, and ensure compliance with adopted codes. This non-supervisory role requires excellent communication, field presence, and collaboration with county officials, sheriff's office, and developers, with a schedule typical of weekdays.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least five years of relevant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fire protection or related field
• Five years of related experience including fire systems review, wildfire mitigation, forest management, or land development experience
• Experience in applying IFC, IBC, and NFPA standards

Responsibilities

• Generates plan review comments and reports; analyzes potential fire hazards and coordinates fire protection systems
• Conducts land use reviews and approves wildfire mitigation plans for developments
• Evaluates design performance and materials against codes and standards; understands fire dynamics
• Reads and interprets complex building plans and specifications
• Develops and administers wildfire mitigation partnerships with education and engagement components
• Explains technical information and code requirements clearly to stakeholders
• Communicates findings with customers or stakeholders in detailed documentation
• Negotiates code conformance solutions with architects, engineers, contractors, and the public
• Assists with field inspections on new construction projects
• Conducts building, fire/wildfire code and planning reviews and analyses
• Advises professionals on code requirements and compliance
• Represents the County in wildfire-related collaborative organizations
• Leads defensible space and home hardening discussions with the public
• Keeps current on trends and policy affecting county practices
• Performs other duties as required

Skills

IFC/IBC/NFPA knowledge

Defensible space assessment

Public speaking

Negotiation

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

MS Office

Field inspection tools

Job description

Are you ready to work within a dynamic team environment and have a big impact on the community? We are currently seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as the Fire Safety and Wildfire Mitigation Project Manager. In this position, you will conduct land use application reviews, address wildfire-related reviews, and approve wildfire mitigation plans for individual developments. This position requires excellent communication skills as you will be the point of contact on matters relating to code requirements, adopted codes, and ordinances for compliance. This is a non-supervisory position.

Hiring Range: $105,000.00 - $110,000.00 annually

This position has an anticipated work schedule of Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 4:30pm, or four 10-hour days schedule that is varied; subject to change.

Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

This position ensures compliance with adopted codes through review of architectural plans, entitlement documents, site development plans, written documents, and building permits; possess a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of current laws, rules, codes, and regulations affecting fire, life safety, and wildfire mitigation. Performs a full range of highly technical and complex professional and administrative work housed in the Planning and Community Development Department. Provides technical assistance to County Officials, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Management, developers, homebuilders, homeowners, fire departments, forestry consultants, and others related to fire safety. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

• Generates plan review comments and reports; performs detailed analysis of potential fire hazards and coordination of various fire protection systems; coordinates fire and life safety aspects of design in conformance with the County Code.
• Conducts land use reviews, addressing wildfire-related issues; reviews and approves wildfire mitigation plans for individual developments.
• Evaluates performance-based design and alternative methods and materials by reading and reviewing corresponding documents, reviewing required codes and standards, and understanding fire dynamics.
• Reads and interprets complex building plans and specifications.
• Develops, designs, plans, coordinates, implements, and administers the wildfire mitigation partnerships, incorporating code enforcement, public awareness and education, and land planning components.
• Explains technical information and code requirements by oral, written, and graphic means.
• Communicates findings to the customer or stakeholder in detailed and accurate documentation.
• Negotiates and develops mutually acceptable solutions to code conformance problems and life safety issues with architects, engineers, contractors, and the public.
• Assists with field inspections on new construction projects.
• Conducts building, fire/wildfire code and fire/wildfire planning reviews and analyses.
• Advises design professionals, contractors, business owners, staff, and the public on matters related to code requirements, adopted codes, and ordinances for compliance.
• Represents the County to various wildfire-related collaborative organizations at the Local, State, and Federal levels.
• Serves as the point of contact for mitigation partnerships with outside agencies, stakeholders, and communities. Provides assistance to the Sheriff’s Office on the County Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP) process as needed.
• Attends meetings and serves on a variety of committees and boards, including technical planning and review groups. Serves as the County’s lead technical expert on defensible space and home hardening.
• Remain current on trends, science, research, legislation, and policy that may have an impact on County practices in and around the developing and built environments.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised

This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Supervision Received

Receives General Supervision: This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the International Fire Code (IFC), International Building Code (IBC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Understanding of and practical application of the codes and standards.
• Knowledge of the scope and application of Local, State, and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to assigned functional areas.
• Knowledge of and expertise with marking defensible space and conducting home assessments to evaluate wildfire risk.
• Familiarity with local fire protection district organizations, land use practices, wildfire hazard mitigation, and community practices.
• Must exercise considerable and sound judgment and initiative in combining a broad scope of professional planning and content knowledge and sophisticated, analytical judgments to solve various complex, technical problems; must work independently and in teams.
• Ability to reduce complex planning theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies to layman's terms and provide accurate information in a comprehensive, concise, and effective manner, often under controversial circumstances. Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate technical information.
• Ability to effectively navigate and resolve complex situations with tact and diplomacy.Ability to read and comprehend department and County rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication and public speaking skills, negotiation skills, and ability to cultivate and sustain effective working relationships with County staff, elected officials, Federal/State officials, the public, and other stakeholders to elicit engagement. Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to write concise, logical, and grammatically correct analytical reports.
• Ability to operate computers and standard office equipment, working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering, fire science, natural resources management, fire protection engineering, architecture, or related field.
  • Four years of related professional experience may substitute for the required degree.
• Five years of related experience, including experience in fire systems review, wildfire mitigation, forest management, or land development experience.
• Experience in the application of the IFC, IBC, and NFPA standards.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain an International Code Council (ICC) Fire Plans Examiner certification within three months of employment.
• Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications/licenses as applicable to position.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.

Duties are performed in a field and office environment. Potential for working in stressful and dangerous situations including but not limited to steep terrain, inclement weather, hazardous traffic, tree-felling operations, wildland fire responses, fire suppression, and prescribed burn events. Exposure to smoke, dust, dangerous machinery, loud noises, hot and cold temperatures, and outdoor working conditions. Works with potentially dangerous equipment and tools; may work with hazardous materials.

The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job-related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the department or office's needs and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.