What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire Prevention Specialist I/II position at Stanislaus County?
About the Opportunity
ABOUT THE COUNTY
Stanislaus County is located in Central California within 90 minutes of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Silicon Valley, Sacramento, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and California's Central Coast. With an estimated 538,388 people calling this area home, the community reflects a region rich in diversity with a strong sense of community. Two of California's major north-south transportation routes (Interstate 5 and Highway 99) intersect the area and the County has quickly become one of the dominant logistics center locations on the west coast.
The County is home to a vibrant arts community with the world-class Gallo Center for the Arts, a symphony orchestra, and abundant visual and performing arts. Stanislaus County is a global center for agribusiness, positioned by its mild Mediterranean climate, rich soils and progressive farming practices.
The area is recognized internationally for agricultural innovation with wine, almonds, poultry, milk, cattle, and walnuts being some of the features industries. The County is also home to Stanislaus State University, Modesto Junior College and benefits from satellite locations of other high quality educational institutions. The County was established in 1854 and has a total land area of 1,515 square miles. Temperatures range from an average low of 38 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, to an average high of 85 degrees in the summer.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Prevention Bureau's mission is to reduce the risk of fire; thus protecting the lives, welfare, and economic vitality of our community. This is accomplished by providing a variety of services such as plan checking of new construction and tenant improvement projects, issuing permits for various operations involving fire safety, public fire safety education and enforcement of California Fire Code regulations.
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ABOUT THE POSITION
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a vacancy for the Office of Emergency Services/Fire Warden/Fire Prevention Bureau and establish an eligible list to fill future full-time. This classification performs a variety of duties in support of fire prevention and education. Inspects residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in a thorough manner and accurately detects fire hazards and deviations from fire codes and standards. Records accurately the findings of the inspection, the corrections needed, and issues orders to comply to achieve compliance with the codes. Conducts annual license inspections of hospitals, rest homes, day care homes, pre-schools, and mental care institutions, assuring compliance of these buildings with their intended use and with Title 19 of the State Administrative Code. Performs routine code enforcement activities related to local and State fire and life safety codes. This individual works under the supervision of the Fire Marshal and is subject to overtime, standby, and callback assignments. Performs related duties as assigned.
The Fire Prevention Specialist I is an entry level position. Fire Prevention Specialist II is distinguished from Fire Prevention Specialist I by the increased level of responsibility that includes training other staff and reading and conducting plan reviews.
Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Technical Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.
Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months for a total of eighteen months.
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.
Typical Tasks
FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST I
- Inspects a variety of structures and facilities ensuring compliance with all State and local fire codes including new construction, remodels, hospitals, schools, day care centers and hazardous occupancies;
- Inspects on a regular basis property within the County, responds to complaints, accurately records the findings of those inspections, and issues orders to obtain compliance with the weed abatement provisions of the Health and Safety Code;
- Assures corrections are made to violations of the fire codes and standards in a timely manner, and minimum fire safety practices are put into effect;
- Issues code violations, confers with and recommends action to the Fire Marshal if corrections are not made;
- Prepares and maintains accurate logs, reports, and records regarding fire inspections, violation notices, and other related data which are legible, complete, up-to-date, and descriptive of problems encountered and the resolutions;
- Establishes rapport with the community by providing useful and helpful information to building owners and others regarding fire codes and standards, and ensures that questions and concerns are effectively resolved;
- Maintains a current knowledge of fire education goals and service objectives and the fire problems within the community and tailors the education program to these problems by delivering lectures and demonstrations, on fire safety, prevention, and inspection;
- Utilizes resources in the community to help in fire prevention and makes citizens and the business community aware of their fire prevention responsibilities;
- Assures the timely abatement of weeds by property owners, enforcing compliance with the weed abatement provisions of the local ordinances and the State Health and Safety Code;
- Assures the proper operation of newly installed sprinkler systems by monitoring pressure tests and flushing the system;
- Inspects sprinkler systems to assure conformance with NFPA #13 and approved plans;
- Performs new construction inspections including underground fire line systems, fire alarm acceptance testing, subdivision improvement inspections, on-site water tanks and final building inspections;
- Assures the safe installation and utilization of tanks for flammable liquids;
- Inspects and tests the installation of new tanks and existing tanks and equipment to assure compliance with code requirements;
- Assists and supports emergency preparedness and response programs; and
- Assists with emergency planning and emergency operations center functions during emergencies and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation.
FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST II
In addition to the Tasks listed at the Fire Prevention Specialist I requirements:
- Conducts plan reviews with respect to water and access requirements and calculates water flows for fire suppression requirements;
- Analyzes building construction plans as related to fire protection and safety requirements to assure compliance with applicable fire codes and policies, and identifies needed corrections;
- Evaluates plans with respect to hazardous materials and assures that deficiencies identified in plans are promptly followed up and corrected;
- Maintains accurate commentary of errors, omissions, and violations in plans which are up-to-date, legible, complete, and descriptive of problems encountered and how resolved;
- Understands fire education goals and service objectives and is consistently able to translate them into a meaningful education program;
- Provides training of fire suppression staff of the fire agencies served by the Fire Prevention Bureau on a regular and frequent basis to enable maintenance of their skill levels in fire inspection;
- Issues event permits and performs required inspections; and
- Instructs staff on the right methods to conduct fire inspections using training techniques that effectively convey the skills to be learned as well as maintain the interest of fire suppression staff.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)
FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST ISKILLS/ABILITY
- Operate effectively without constant supervision;
- Analyze events and make sound judgments;
- Make decisions and judgments quickly and logically;
- Interpret and enforce regulations objectively and fairly;
- Work effectively with the public;
- Demonstrate tact, diplomacy and interpersonal skills;
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
- Follow oral and written directions; and
- Recognize, appraise, and correct fire hazards and potential life-safety hazards.
- Relevant laws, ordinances and codes related to fire prevention and protection;
- Basic building construction; and
- Inspection techniques and technical report writing.
- Read Plans.
- Hazardous materials such as flammable liquids; and
- Burning characteristics of combustibles.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent; AND
- One (1) year of full-time work experience involving meeting and dealing with the public or in a field which involved customer contact, community outreach and/or educational activities; AND
- Successful completion of California State Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention 1A and 1B or Fire Inspector 1A and 1B.
- Successful completion of California State Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention 1A, 1B and 1C or Fire Inspector 1A, 1B and 1C; AND
- Two (2) years full-time work experience equivalent to a Fire Prevention Specialist I or Building Inspector I.
LICENSE
- Possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License.
Proof of education is required for verification at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-552-3857 before 5 pm on the final filing date to make other arrangements. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline will result in disqualification.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.
- One (1) year of full-time work experience involving meeting and dealing with the public or in a field which involved customer contact, community outreach, and/or educational activities; AND
- Two (2) years of course work in fire science; OR
- Two (2) years experience in the fire service; OR
- Two (2) years experience as a building inspector.
Application and Selection Procedures
APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a complete application.
Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.
RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS
Arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations are required to complete and submit the Testing Accommodation Request Form prior to the test administration date. Special arrangements for religious convictions should be included in the "Additional Information" section of the application.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitment consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.
- Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
- Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
- Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
- Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: February 17, 2025
Oral Examination: February 24, 2025
Selection Interview: March 3, 2025
Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.
Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.
Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org
Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.
