Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Fire Inspector/Investigator conducts technical work in the fire prevention program. Determines the causes of fires, regardless of size. Educates and informs the public about fire hazards, fire causes, precautions, and actions to take during a fire. Handles building plan reviews, fire protection system plan reviews, systems tests, apparatus access issues, and other fire prevention and code enforcement concerns. Perform a wide variety of firefighting, EMS and related duties, including safety inspections of department equipment, personnel and facilities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the Fire Marshal in planning and implementing the fire and arson prevention and public fire education program.
• Inspect commercial, industrial and residential establishments, for existing or potential fire hazards and order correction of dangerous conditions.
• Receive complaints on fire hazards, investigate them, and recommend or order methods of correction.
• Inspect schools for fire hazards, conduct fire drills, and give talks to students on fire hazards and drill procedures.
• Cooperate with inspectors or field service workers of other municipal departments when making inspections to correct or remove hazards involving structural, electrical, and utility service safety.
• Cooperate with private contractors and/or private business owners when making inspections to correct or remove hazards involving structural, electrical, and utility service safety for new or existing construction.
• Prepare reports of inspections and maintain files on all records.
• Investigate the fire area and use all available means to determine the origin of the fire, the fire cause, and the results.
• Attempt to determine the sequence of events using evidence, technical data, outside agencies, and witnesses.
• Appear in court to express an expert opinion about the fire cause and the results of investigations.
• Review site and building plans, note code violations and make recommendations for changes.
• Review fire protection systems plan, note deficiencies and make recommendations for improving systems.
• Inspect, review and test fire protection systems.
• Interact with officials of all departments involved in regulating construction and use.
• Perform duties related to fire suppression, including but not limited to working with fire hoses, working with ladders, wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and working on aerial ladders, if firefighter certified.
• Coordinates safety inspections of department equipment, apparatus and facilities.
• Regular attendance at work and arrives on time.
• Performs all other job-related duties as assigned.
• Maintains personal physical endurance and agility to handle emergency incidents and job-related tasks.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear; taste or smell. Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 150 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, co-peripheral vision, depth perception, and abilities required include close vision, distance vision, co-peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee regularly works in outside weather. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places; occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals risk of electrical shock and vibration. Possibility of severe injury or loss of life when at emergency scenes. Noise level is usually moderate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:
Ability to meet the requirements in NFPA 1031 Standard for Fire Inspector Professional Qualifications: current edition. Ability to meet the requirements in NFPA 1033 Standard for Fire Investigator Professional Qualifications: current edition. Ability to meet the requirements in NFPA 1035 Standard for Public Fire Education Professional Qualifications: current edition.

• Knowledge of Fire and Life Safety Standards generally accepted in the International Fire Code.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to fire, hazardous materials, and life safety systems.
• Ability to function with minimum supervision; to self-start and complete assignments in a timely organized manner.
• Ability to read and interpret codes and other legal documents.
• Ability to review and interpret plans, specifications, environmental and/or technical reports.
• Ability to communicate with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Ability to operate assigned equipment.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Possess knowledge of proper documentation of incident information, to include fire reports, and appropriate court documents.
• Understand and utilize principles of supervision, interaction management, and delegation of authority.
• Maintain proficiency in fire prevention and investigation techniques as well as emergency medical programs.
• Knowledge of fire origin and cause investigation, including interview and interrogation.
• Knowledge of Emergency Driving and Defensive Driving.
• Must have excellent Human Relations skills.
• Knowledge of Investigation procedures and applicable laws concerning the parameters of operating at a possible crime scene.
• Practical knowledge of building construction practices, automobile components, and properties of electricity.
• Knowledge of laws and procedures related to the search for and securing of evidence and its admissibility in a court of law.
• Knowledge of courtroom procedures and legal terms.

Minimum Education, Experience and Certification:
High school diploma or equivalent; Associate Degree preferred. Two years of experience as a Firefighter or equivalent or two years as a Certified Peace Officer. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Basic structural fire protection certification; basic fire investigator certification; basic fire inspectors\' certificate; Emergency Medical Technician; TCFP Instructor I are required if firefighter certified, and Basic Peace Officer certification is (Preferred). If Peace Officer certified, TCFP Instructor I; and Emergency Medical Technician are preferred and TFCP Basic investigator and TCFP Basic inspector must be obtained within (1) year of hire. Valid Class C Texas driver\'s license with driving record that meets City guidelines. Employee may be required to obtain other specialized training to meet the needs of the fire department.

Required Contacts:
Ability to effectively communicate with citizens and all levels of employees in order to provide information regarding fire and emergency medical functions and responsibilities.

Budgetary Responsibilities:
Assists in the development of the budget and makes recommendations for purchases of capital items and other equipment.

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