Under general direction, plans, organizes, and manages the programs and activities of the San Joaquin County Fire Prevention Bureau; performs responsible technical work in conducting difficult and complex fire-related inspections and fire prevention plan reviews; coordinates and assists the fire departments and fire districts within the County service area; serves as a liaison between local fire agencies and County departments; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3, of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Deputy Fire Warden is a single-position class in the Community Development Department. An employee in this class will function as the County Fire Code Official as defined in the California Fire Code. The Deputy Fire Warden is responsible for managing and coordinating Fire Prevention Bureau activities, including the most difficult and complex fire inspections and fire prevention plan reviews. This class provides professional support to the Director of Community Development and may supervise and review inspection and prevention work of subordinate fire inspectors in reviewing building plans, specifications and existing structures for compliance with national, state and county fire protection codes and standards.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Plans, organizes and manages the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Fire Prevention Bureau, including the inspection of non-residential, commercial and industrial properties and the review of building plans to enforce compliance with fire safety laws, ordinances and regulations; coordinates Bureau activities with fire departments and fire districts within the County’s service area; conducts the most difficult inspection and review work.
Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the Bureau; prepares and monitors the Bureau budget; recommends appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures; develops and standardizes methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services and activities.
Reviews, evaluates, and approves building plans and specifications for sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, standpipe systems, special hazard protection systems, and water-supply installations for non-residential, commercial, and institutional buildings; assures proper completion of tests and inspections for fire-related aspects of building projects and fire protection systems.
Receives and reviews permit applications with other department staff; reviews applications for appeals; develops position statements on fire protection issues; certifies buildings for occupancy including acceptance of fire protection systems or specifications of needed corrections.
Provides technical consultation to County staff and staff of fire departments and fire districts, developers, engineers, contractors, property owners, occupants, and the general public regarding the California Fire Code, National Fire Protection Standards and pertinent sections of the California Code of Regulations and the Ordinance Code of San Joaquin County, as well as on the correction of deficiencies.
Manages the Weed Abatement Program and participates in the San Joaquin County Fire Chief’s Association programs, including the Fire Investigation Unit, Incident Command Team, Fire Training Officers, and Hazardous Materials team; participates in the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services Incident Command Team as an Area Coordinator; responds to fire and/or rescue emergencies as required.
Prepares correspondence and reports; makes presentations to the Board of Supervisors, commissions, committees, and boards as well as to outside agencies and organizations; performs public relations and outreach work; develops and provides news releases to the media.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in fire science, fire administration, fire protection engineering, civil or structural engineering or closely related field.
Experience: Five years of full-time, increasingly responsible experience in fire prevention or firefighting, including at least three years of experience performing structural inspections for compliance with fire safety standards and systems and at least one year of responsible experience in coordinating services or programs of a fire prevention department or program.
Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years.
AND
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
Certifications: Possession of Incident Command System ICS 100, 200, 300 & 400 certification; possession of Fire Inspector I certification issued by the California State Fire Marshal; successful completion of the California State Fire Marshal’s Fire Investigation 1A course; successful completion of FEMA Independent Study courses IS700 and 800.
Special Requirements: (1) Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of appointment, Fire Inspector II certification issued by the California State Fire Marshal. (2) Successful completion of, or ability to obtain within two years of appointment, Fire Plans Examiner certification issued by the California State Fire Marshal.
KNOWLEDGE
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies relevant to assigned areas of responsibility; principles and practices of public administration related to the management of programs, policies, and operations; fundamental principles and practices of budget development and administration; records management; the legal process in evidence collection, case management and prosecution of fire regulation violators; principles and practices of fire protection engineering including building fire protection systems, hydraulics, fire chemistry, fire apparatus, and engineering analysis; building construction, design and materials as they relate to fire prevention and control and fire safety; principles and practices of municipal firefighting, rescue, emergency medical services, and cause and origin investigation; principles and techniques of fire prevention; building materials, construction and the principles of combustion relative to fire prevention.
ABILITY
Research, analyze, and evaluate service delivery methods and procedures; evaluate and develop operational improvements; read, interpret, and explain administrative and technical information; ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; conduct and monitor complex research projects and investigations and make sound recommendations; establish and maintain tracking systems; operate office equipment and computer applications; express oneself, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; write clear and comprehensive technical reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other County departments, the public and other agencies.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility–occasional operation of keyboards; sitting and walking for frequent periods; occasionally standing, bending, squatting, climbing ladders and stairs; frequent driving may be required; Lifting–occasionally lifting 5 to 30 pounds; Vision–frequent reading and close-up work; normal hand-eye coordination; Dexterity–normal dexterity with frequent writing; Hearing/Talking–frequent hearing and talking on the telephone/radio and in person; Emotional/Psychological–constant public contact, decision making and concentration required; Special Conditions–frequent exposure to noise and occasional expose to hazardous materials, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation and changing indoor/outdoor conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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