Fire Investigator-61010011

State of South Carolina • Lexington County, SC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Careers at DPH: Work that makes a difference! Embracing Service, Inspiring Innovation, Promoting Teamwork, Pursuing Excellence, and Advancing Equity. This role ensures that licensed facilities and services comply with adopted regulations, codes, and standards that provide for the health, safety, and well-being of their clients. The position involves evaluating evidence, conducting investigations on behalf of the Department, and maintaining effective working relationships with various stakeholders including facility personnel, law enforcement, judicial personnel, and the general public. The Fire Investigator analyzes complex situations, determines pertinent facts, reaches reasonable conclusions, and proposes solutions. Responsibilities include scheduling and conducting licensure inspections, evaluating facilities for compliance with fire and life safety standards, and performing comprehensive Life Safety Code certification surveys for Title 18 (Medicare) and Title 19 (Medicaid) facilities. This role also involves conducting inquiries and investigations resulting from complaints in a thorough, unbiased, and timely manner. The position requires functioning independently or as part of an interdisciplinary team, preparing for surveys by reviewing relevant data, consulting with supervisors, and communicating with healthcare facility personnel, patients, and families. Documentation of survey information, review of plans of correction, and maintenance of records are crucial. The Fire Investigator consults and advises on the need to modify non-compliant conditions, participates in problem-solving, and makes recommendations for penalties when necessary. Continuous study of codes and standards is required to maintain knowledge of current practices and requirements, which is then shared with facilities and department staff. The role also involves discussing fire and life safety issues, providing training in fire prevention and response strategies, and consulting with local resource professionals and facility administrators. Participation in conferences and seminars related to healthcare facility construction, renovation, and operation is expected, along with performing other duties such as training new employees and attending division meetings.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and experience conducting investigations or performing other law enforcement duties.
• Must be a SC Certified Fire Marshal or successfully complete the International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector I Course within one 1) year of employment.
• Must possess or successfully pass all Quality, Safety Educational Portal (QSEP) Life Safety Code - Fire Safety Evaluation System for Health Care requirements for HealthCare Occupancies (LSC/FSES-HCO) within one (1) year of employment.
• Operate a motor vehicle and travel to facilities requiring Fire & Life Safety inspections and communicate effectively and accurately with facility administration as noncompliant issues are discovered.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledgeable using computer software programs as well as being able to understand information contained in a database program.
• Working knowledge of Federal and State regulations, International Building and Fire Codes, and other codes and standards as adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate evidence and conduct Investigations on behalf of the Department.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the facility, associates, law officers, judicial personnel, professional and nonprofessional individuals, and the general public.
• Analyze complex situations, determine pertinent facts, reach reasonable conclusions, and propose solutions.
• Schedules licensure inspections based on current Division criteria.
• Evaluates licensed facilities, activities and services and identifies conditions out of compliance with fire and life safety standards.
• Conducts Centers for Medicaid Services (CMS) Life Safety Code Surveys based on NFPA 101 and NFPA 99 Health Facilities Code and CMS Emergency Preparedness Surveys based on and the CMS State Operations Manual.
• Conducts inquiries and Investigations resulting from complaints about activities in a thorough, unbiased and timely manner.
• Performs comprehensive Life Safety Code certification surveys of Title 18 (Medicare) Title 19 (Medicaid) facilities for compliance with federal, state, and other applicable laws and regulations, including annual recertification, complaint investigation, revisit, initial, and validation surveys.
• Conducts surveys according to regulatory requirements and within mandated timeframes.
• Functions independently or as member of an Interdisciplinary team.
• Prepares for survey Including pre-survey review of CMS data including database and faculty reports, compliance history, and facility complaint history.
• Consults with Supervisor as required.
• Communicates with and interviews healthcare facility personnel, patients and families to obtain facts and seek clarification.
• Reviews provider plan of corrections for content and appropriateness.
• Reviews facility blueprints, plans and architectural drawings, sprinkler systems, fire alarm and smoke detection systems for compliance with federal/state codes.
• Documents survey information, reviews plan of corrections and maintains record flies in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
• Consults and advises responsible parties, including Department management. of the need to modify non-compliant conditions.
• Participates with other staff members to identify concerns, solve problems and make decisions related to facilities in a rational process, including recommendations to impose penalties when other actions have failed to assure compliance with standards.
• Studies codes and standards to maintain knowledge of current practices and requirements relating to health care facilities and shares this knowledge with facilities and other department staff of five (5).
• Discusses fire and life safety Issues with facility personnel and provides training in fire prevention and response strategies.
• Consults with local resource professionals and facility administrators through technical assistance, in-service training and staff development programs in assisting licensed facilities to more effectively comply with standards.
• Participates in conferences and seminars relating to the construction, renovation and operation of health care facilities.
• Performs other duties as necessary, such as training for new employees and other department staff and attending periodic division meetings.

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED