Fire Marshal

Position Description

Performs difficult protective service and administrative work enforcing fire prevention laws, conducting fire inspections, investigation, and promoting overall fire prevention efforts within the County. The employee also serves as liaison between the County Manager, Board of County Commissioners, and the Volunteer Fire Departments. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Manager and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and written reports concerning the quality and effectiveness of work performed. Position will require working outside of regular hours and an on-call schedule.

Responsibilites

• Plans and conducts a program of reducing fire hazards by securing compliance with State and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
• Conducts fire inspections of businesses, commercial, and industrial buildings, schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, and places of public assembly for compliance with State and local codes.
• Conducts follow-up inspections to ensure conditions are corrected; prepares and submits reports and records of fire inspections.
• Investigates fires to determine the origin and cause; gathers data at the scene of a fire; analyzes the facts and reports finding.
• Investigates reports of illegal dumping of hazardous waste materials or other environmental threats and notifies proper authorities; develops standards for response, training, and safety programs.
• Instructs various community groups on fire safety through education of the existing codes.
• Assists fire chiefs by responding to large fire incidents and/or hazardous material incidents by coordinating services and resources.
• Provides technical assistance, consultation, and training to volunteer fire departments; and evaluates their number and type of calls.
• Identifies training needs and evaluates completed training of staff.
• Assists the Risk Management Specialist with safety training for county employees.
• Assists in volunteer fire department budget development and assists with compiling information on costs of equipment, potential funding sources, and writing grants.
• Inspects volunteer fire departments for compliance with insurance standards for assigned ratings.
• Produces reports form inspections and investigations; maintains files of all fire related reports from the volunteer fire departments.
• Maintains complete and accurate fire district maps and descriptions.
• Advises local communities on the organization or reorganization of a volunteer fire department.
• Coordinates and conducts yearly inspections of all county buildings and worksites to identify any unsafe conditions or work practices.
• Attends lectures; studies manuals; participates in fire drills and learns modern firefighting techniques.
• Responds to alarms and scenes of fire emergencies.
• Places fire hoses, sets ladders, operates fire streams, ventilates, and enters burning structures to extinguish fire and perform rescue services.
• Reviews site plans for new construction to ensure that all fire codes are being met.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the types of industrial and commercial operations in the County and any related potential hazards.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods of readily ascertaining the presence of existing or potential fire hazards.
• Considerable knowledge of the laws and regulations covering fire prevention.
• Considerable knowledge of the sources and use of information about current fire prevention, and skill in teaching and application.
• Considerable knowledge of fire equipment operation and maintenance, and skill in its operation.
• Ability to enforce codes and laws with firmness and fairness.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other employees, business and civic leaders, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, with tact and courtesy, in oral and written form.
• Ability to prepare and submit clear and concise reports.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work for effective department operations.

Required Minimum Education / Experience

• Associates Degree in Fire Science or related field, or
• Graduation from high school or GED.
• Five years of experience in fire suppression, prevention, education, and/or investigation; and two years of supervisory experience.
• A higher education level may be considered as a substitute for part of the experience requirement.
• Possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Possess Level III Fire Code Inspector Certification.
• Possess Level II Fire Instructor Certification or obtain within one year of hire date.
• Possess Level II Firefighter Certification.
• Possess Level I Hazardous Materials Certification.