Fire And Life Safety Specialist (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is now accepting applications for multiple Fire and Life Safety Specialist positions within the Division of Construction Services-Office of State Fire Marshal. The Office of State Fire Marshal is responsible for development and administration of the State Fire Code and the State Fire Prevention Code and assists local fire marshals, design professionals, contractors and the public with fire code related questions.

Our divisions are united in a common mission:

• Support Connecticut's Growth - To serve our citizens, businesses, state agencies and other branches of government by providing the highest quality services at the lowest possible cost.
• Drive Continuous Innovation - To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state government using best practices from the public and private sectors.
• Provide Rewarding Careers - To attract and retain a workforce of talented, dedicated public servants committed to leading our great state forward.

Discover the Opportunity to:

• Perform plan review and inspections to ensure code compliance for construction of State owned buildings.
• Conduct Fire Code/Fire Prevention Code inspections of State property in accordance with CGS.
• Provide assistance to local fire marshals, evaluating fire code modifications, and assisting the Codes & Standards Committee.

Schedule & Benefits: Full-time, 35 hours per week, located at 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford. Flex schedule options are available. We participate in a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare policies including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees!

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

To Apply:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
• Incumbents in this class will be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications including certification by the State Fire Marshal as a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal or Fire Inspector OR to successfully complete the first program offered after appointment.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

Connect With Us:

Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Jennifer Neumann at jennifer.neumann@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.

In the Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Fire Marshal this class is accountable for performing as a specialist in assuring proper application of the State Fire Safety Code, adopted referenced national standards and applicable state and federal statutes.

Serves in the capacity of the "authority having jurisdiction" representing the State Fire Marshal for resolution of disputed fire and life safety code related matters; determines the legality of architectural and engineering plans of buildings and structures; provides state agencies, local code enforcement officials, architects, engineers, other design professionals and construction industry representatives with technical assistance in the proper application of code and problem resolution in the design, construction, alteration or renovation of buildings including the testing of engineered systems; reviews, analyzes and prepares written recommendations as to the acceptability of requests for modification of the State Fire Safety Code; assists the State Fire Marshal in the revision of the State Fire Safety Code and referenced standards by conducting research and drafting amendments; conducts technical on-site inspections and evaluations regarding complex code issues; determines the appropriateness of building materials and system components based upon code interpretations; collects and analyzes data at fire scenes for code performance; prepares technical reports; prepares and presents educational training and certification programs mandated by statute to local code enforcement officials, state agencies and professional organizations; may lead technical staff by assigning and reviewing daily work, providing on-going training and preparing written evaluations; may testify at administrative hearings or in state and federal courts of law; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply building construction standards, fire and life safety codes, adopted referenced national standards, standard tests for construction materials and fire rating and applicable state and federal statutes; considerable knowledge of and ability to review complex architectural and engineering plans and specifications for large scale building projects including engineered fire and life safety protection systems and concepts; considerable knowledge of basic engineering and architectural principles, practices and methods of building design and construction; considerable knowledge of inspection practices; knowledge of building materials and equipment; some knowledge of fire suppression and investigation methods; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to prepare and present technical material for training programs or public speaking engagements; ability to utilize computer software.

Seven (7) years of experience in fire code compliance plan review and inspection of buildings.

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in the inspection and review of plans and specifications for fire code compliance on large scale building projects.
Note: Large scale building projects will be interpreted as buildings exceeding 12,000 square feet in size and more than one story in height not including apartment buildings and single family residences.

College training in architecture, mechanical or civil engineering or related courses in fire technology, fire and life safety systems design or a related discipline may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

• Experience working on threshold projects, as defined by Connecticut General Statute 29-276b.
• Experience providing education to design professionals, contractors and code officials.
• Possess certification as a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal or Fire Inspector.

1. Incumbents in this class will be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications including certification by the State Fire Marshal as a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal or Fire Inspector OR to successfully complete the first program offered after appointment.
2. Incumbents in this class will be required to complete ninety (90) hours of job related continuing education every three (3) years in accordance with Section 29-298(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as be able to perform the duties.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.