Community Risk Reduction Specialist

City of Newton, Kansas

Job Description

Community Risk Reduction Specialist

Department: Fire/EMS

Reports To: Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction

Grade: 10

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Effective: 01/01/2025

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction, the Community Risk Reduction Specialist is responsible for fire safety education. This is a highly responsible position requiring abilities in planning, organizing, public speaking and conducting fire safety inspections; enforcing fire safety laws, rules, and ordinances; and speaking to groups of people about community risk reduction topics.

Work is directed and reviewed through the establishment of goals and subsequent evaluation of progress toward goal attainment.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and presents fire safety and prevention programs to civic groups, educational groups, private institutions and the public.
• Assists in providing evacuation plans and fire drills in various institutions and industries.
• Inspects commercial, industrial, educational, healthcare, and other buildings and dwellings for fire hazards, efficiency of fire protection equipment, and compliance with fire prevention regulations. Prepares reports of inspections made.
• Consults with engineers, architects, contractors, and owners.
• Interprets building codes for special service uses.
• General understanding of fire and life safety plans
• Makes on-site inspections of installations to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Inspects existing systems to ascertain compliance with maintenance requirements.
• Instructs owners in the removal of fire hazards to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes.
• Instructs employers, civic groups, and school children in the use of fire protective equipment, fire prevention practices, and in the proper course of action to be followed in the event of a fire.
• Answers and investigates complaints and reports of hazardous conditions.
• Maintains records and prepares daily, monthly, and annual reports.
• Provides prehospital care commensurate to certification level as defined by the Kansas Board of EMS and local medical direction.
• Performs specialized work in the prevention and suppression of fires commensurate to training and certification level.

Marginal Functions:

• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

Experience:

• At least five years of related experience and/or training.
• Must obtain Firefighter 1 certification within 12-months of employment in the position.
• Must achieve Inspector I certification within two years of employment in the position.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from accredited postsecondary institution with emphasis in education or life safety preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills: Must be skilled in the use of a personal computer and various software applications. Ability to set and meet productivity goals and complete time-critical projects. Ability to manage projects and produce outcomes through others. The ability to apply principles and practices of teaching and research methods. Ability to apply the Uniform Fire Code, Building Codes, and National Fire Protection Association Standards dealing. Ability to understand and communicate with community members in groups or individually. Ability to conduct field inspections, and to recognize and define fire hazards and recommend corrective action.

Problem Solving: Ability to use independent judgment in conditions not covered by policy or previous practice.

Decision Making: Decision-making is a factor in this position. Must have the ability to make accurate and timely decisions under stressful conditions.

Accountability: Ability to work with minimal supervision. Ability to follow oral and written directions and to prepare reports.

Personal Relations: Frequent contact with other City departments and the general public. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations, and the public. Ability to communicate effectively with large groups or mass media.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Occasionally supervises and directs activities of public education and event teams.

Residency Requirement: None.

Work Environment: Working conditions vary from an office environment with little life safety risks, to substantial physical effort and exposure to adverse weather, infectious diseases, and toxic chemicals that may be associated with fire, rescue, and EMS incident scenes.

Physical Requirements: The physical job demands include an occasional maximum lift of 50 lbs from floor to waist; occasional maximum lift of 25 lbs from floor to shoulder; occasional forward reach; occasional crouch/bend; continuous bilateral hand coordination; continuous sit; occasional stand; occasional walk. See Job Analysis for details.

PDC Level: Medium

This description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.