What are the responsibilities and job description for the Division Chief of Fire Prevention position at South Adams County Fire Department?
Position: Division Chief of Fire Prevention
Supervisor: Deputy Chief of Support
Division: Fire Prevention
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: March 2025
Salary Range: 172,000 – 192,000
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
This Job Description is established by the South Adams County Fire Department (“Department”) to outline the basic requirements, duties and general responsibilities of the Division Chief of Fire Prevention position and is written to complement the Department’s Policy Manual and Standard Operating Guidelines.
**This position holds a probationary status of 12 months from date of hire**
The headings in this Job Description are for reference only and shall not affect its interpretation.
Position Summary:
The Division Chief of Fire Prevention is the Fire Marshal for the Department and their primary duty is managing all aspects of the Department's Fire Prevention Division, including all aspects of the day-to-day administration and operation of the Fire Prevention Division; evaluating, developing and implementing a high-quality, cost-effective and efficient fire prevention programs for the Department, including: requested and mandated inspections, fire safety education, review of building development plans and permit requests, fire code enforcement, fire cause and origin investigations, and arson investigation activities.
Supervisory Responsibility:
The Division Chief of Fire Prevention is responsible for the supervision of all personnel working in or performing duties for the Fire Prevention Division, including the Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention Lieutenants, Fire Prevention Specialists, Fire Inspectors/Investigators, Permit Technician, Administrative Assistant, and other Department personnel in the performance of fire prevention related activities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties are an overview of the primary duties and responsibilities of the Division Chief of Fire Prevention/Fire Marshal and should not be considered an all-inclusive list.
1. Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of the administration and operation of the Fire Prevention Division.
2. Responsible for all aspects of evaluating, developing, maintaining and continually improving a high-quality, cost-effective and efficient Fire Prevention Program.
3. Supervise and perform continuing evaluation of all Fire Prevention Division personnel and other Department personnel who implement fire prevention programs; correct work deficiencies; issue oral and written corrective actions; and recommend formal disciplinary actions to the Fire Chief.
4. Comprehensive knowledge of the Department’s rules, policies and procedures as they pertain to the Fire Prevention Division specifically and the Department generally, including but not limited to the rules, policies and procedures contained in the Department’s Member Handbook, Collective Bargaining Agreement, Payroll Procedures Manual, and Standard Operating Guidelines, and consistently and appropriately enforce the Department’s rules, policies and procedures.
5. Assist in developing the proposed annual budget for the Fire Prevention Division and ensure the Fire Prevention Division stays within the annual budget (and any supplemental annual budget(s)) approved by the Department's Board of Directors.
6. Directly, or through the supervision of Fire Prevention Division personnel, ensure that individuals, businesses, developers, contractors and architects comply with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire and hazardous materials, and all applicable fire codes and Nationally Recognized Standards.
7. Directly, or through the supervision of Fire Prevention Division personnel, investigate, or cause to be investigated, all complaints of fire, gas or related hazards from citizens or other departments.
8. Directly, or through the supervision of Fire Prevention Division personnel, supervise and coordinate inspections and follow up inspections or investigations for businesses and public buildings within the Department's service area for fire hazards and effectiveness of fire protection equipment.
9. After appropriate pursuit of compliance, coordinate, plan and enforce remediation of occupancies, such as issuance of a summons, that do not meet the applicable fire code and/or nationally recognized standards.
10. Provide guidance and direction to Department personnel on fire code education, enforcement and interpretation.
11. Assist Building Department Personnel in code-related matters.
12. Directly, or through the supervision of Fire Prevention Division personnel, conduct complex plan reviews and inspection reports, and review applications for permits and licenses. Supervise and coordinate the inspection and testing of fire protection systems for new construction.
13. Provide technical fire protection assistance to builders, contractors, developers, and the public on fire-safe construction, installation of fire control systems, and compliance with procedures, codes and related nationally recognized standards.
14. Assist the Public Relations Division with the development and disseminating educational programs and services to inform the public of the dangers of fire, the need for fire prevention, and to maintain effective Department-community relations.
15. Participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and professional group meetings, and stay abreast of new trends and innovations in fire prevention and fire safety education.
16. Maintain knowledge of current codes and nationally recognized standards, methods of fire control and changes in construction methods and materials, including but not limited to, attending pertinent conferences, seminars, schools, and meetings.
17. Supervise and coordinate fire investigations to determine origin and cause, and related arson activities, as appropriate under the circumstances.
18. Ensure that all reports, forms, and other records necessary or appropriate for the efficient and effective operation of the Fire Prevention Division are prepared/generated, filed, and maintained in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, standards, and the Department's rules policies, and procedures, including but not limited to the Policy Manual and handbook, Collective Bargaining Agreement, Chief’s Directives, and Standard Operating Guidelines.
19. Directly, or through the supervision of Fire Prevention Division personnel, supervise or act on requirements regarding explosives, open burning and pyrotechnics.
20. Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to collect, integrate, analyze, and use data and information, and compare and evaluate possible actions or courses of conduct based upon such analysis.
21. Develop and maintain positive, effective working relationships with Department employees, reserves, Department residents, other governmental agencies, and the community.
22. Directly, or through the supervision of Fire Prevention Division personnel, supervise the “on-call” fire investigator schedule, and when staffing demands it, serve as an "on call" fire investigator who is available 24 hours a day during the duty shift. During on-call status, always carry a phone, and be able to respond within 45 minutes to an incident/situation requiring fire investigator duties.
23. Always maintain positive and constructive written and oral communication skills.
24. Work well in a progressive, team-oriented environment.
25. Provide excellent service to the community.
26. Have a positive attitude and be a self-starter.
27. Promote a positive, professional image of the Department at all times.
28. Perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Minimum Qualifications and Certification Requirements:
- Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D.
- Possess an Associate’s degree or higher in a fire science related field.
- Possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license and acceptable driving record.
- At least ten (10) years fire prevention service.
- At least five (5) years of management supervision.
- Possess and maintain a Colorado State Fire Inspector III – Plan Examiners certification within 6 months of appointment to this position.
- Possess and maintain an International Fire Code Plans Examiner certification.
- Possess and maintain an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator or NAFI Fire and Explosion Investigator certification.
- Possess and maintain a Center for Public Safety Excellence Fire Marshal designation within 12 months of appointment to this position.
- Possess and maintain an International Fire Code Fire Marshal certification within 18 months of appointment to this position.
- Possess and maintain ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, and 800 certifications.
- Possess a thorough knowledge of modern fire prevention and suppression principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment, particularly the mechanics and chemistry of fire.
- Knowledge of management principles and methods and possess the skills necessary for the effective and efficient supervision, leadership, motivation and training of the Fire Prevention Division personnel.
- Possess the ability to interpret consistently and correctly applicable fire codes and nationally recognized standards.
- Ability to plan, organize, direct and evaluate, on an on-going basis, the Department’s fire prevention program.
- Ability to prepare a proposed annual budget for the Fire Prevention Division and ensure the Fire Prevention Division stays within the annual budget (and any supplemental annual budget(s)) approved by the Department's Board of Directors.
- Ability to communicate effectively and express ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to compile reports related to fire inspections, investigations and any other prevention related information requested by the Fire Chief.
- Possess a thorough knowledge of all federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations relating to fire and hazardous materials, and all applicable fire codes and nationally recognized standards.
- Comprehensive knowledge of all the Department’s rules, policies and procedures that pertain to the Fire Prevention Division specifically and the Department generally, including but not limited to the rules, policies and procedures contained in the Department’s Policy Manual, Collective Bargaining Agreement, Payroll Procedures Manual, and Standard Operating Guidelines, and demonstrated ability to consistently and appropriately apply and enforce the Department’s rules, policies and procedures.
- Ability to present information effectively to citizens, business owners, contractors, and other Department members.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
- Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at a level adequate to perform the duties of the position.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
This position requires work in a variety of locations and conditions, including living quarters and office areas, in and around a wide variety of automotive, mechanical, chemical and medical equipment or supplies, and emergency scenes of every type.
1. A portion of this position will involve sedentary, administrative work in an office environment.
2. Strenuous physical activity under extreme adverse conditions will be required occasionally.
3. Must be able to pass the Department's physical fitness test quarterly during the first year of employment and annually thereafter as required by the Department's Policy Manual and Standard Operating Guidelines.
4. Must be able to lift, move and carry objects up to one hundred (100) pounds.
5. This position requires standing, running, walking, sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending, lifting, squatting, pushing, pulling, crawling, jumping, sliding, climbing, pinching, gripping digging, spraying, reaching over head, reaching away from body, and repetitive motion.
6. Will be required to work in all weather conditions and in extreme temperatures below twenty (20) and in excess of one hundred (100) degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Work may be performed under dangerous, hazardous and adverse conditions, including, but not limited to, weakened structures, slippery and uneven surfaces, proximity to moving mechanical equipment, burning structures, broken glass or other materials, electrical currents, high places, and confined spaces.
8. Work may result in exposure to contaminated environments, including but not limited to, hazardous materials, smoke, gases, chemicals, fumes, odors, mists and dusts, which may require the use of Personal Protection Equipment.
9. Work may result in exposure to individuals or blood carrying infectious diseases or illnesses, such as Hepatitis A, B or C, HIV, tuberculosis, small pox, etc.
10. Work may result in exposure to high noise levels requiring the wearing of hearing protection.
11. This position demands frequent use of sensory activities such as talking, seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling (identifying objects by touch), depth perception and color vision.
12. This position will involve frequent periods of high physical, mental and/or emotional stress.
13. Be available 24 hours a day by phone.