Fire Marshal

San Juan County • San Juan County - any island, WA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

San Juan County is seeking candidates for the Fire Marshal position. This role involves interpreting fire protection codes, assisting in policy formulation, inspecting structure fires for cause and origin, investigating suspicious fires, and performing plan reviews and on-site inspections for Fire Code compliance. The Fire Marshal will be responsible for the administration of SJC Fire Codes, working with contractors and designers to ensure compliance, developing and administering an annual business fire/safety inspection program, and reviewing development permits for code compliance. The position also involves assisting customers with permit requirements, reviewing fire suppression systems, developing public awareness programs, issuing violation notices, and coordinating with various local and state agencies. Additionally, the Fire Marshal will review and recommend changes to fire codes, draft legislation, prepare reports and ordinances, and develop the annual budget for Fire Marshal services. The role requires attending job-related training, acting with courtesy and professionalism, and adhering to high ethical standards.

Requirements

• College degree and three to five years’ experience in the field of fire protection or prevention; OR any equivalent combination that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Working knowledge of the Uniform Building Codes, Uniform Fire Code, land use policies, and San Juan County Code.
• Able to determine the origin and cause of structure fires.
• Able to read and understand ordinances, blueprints, construction plans, specifications, engineering data, and be able to perform basic structural calculations.
• Permit review including site plan review and issuance procedures, Governmental and legal procedures related to planning, zoning and land use
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including skills necessary for speaking and making presentations in a public forum.
• Understand and be able to work with the legal system and understand how to read and interpret regulations.
• Deal objectively and calmly with persons in stressful confrontational situations.
• Perform tasks using considerable judgment and be able to make independent decisions based on applicable laws and established practices and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Use listening skills effectively to ensure approachability and effective problem-solving.
• Properly and efficiently document and organize work, maintain paper and electronic files according to standard.
• Act always with honesty, confidentiality, ethics, and integrity in the performance of this work.
• Work requires continuous sitting and operation of a computer including keyboard and mouse operation
• Frequent standing and walking
• Involves talking and hearing in person and on the phone
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to differentiate colors and read computer monitor.
• Must be able to periodically access property, both developed and undeveloped, including climbing and navigating difficult terrain.
• Must be able to safely operate a vehicle including on narrow driveways, unfinished roads, and other constricted areas.
• Deals with customer stress and deadlines, which may require overtime, flexibility of time
• This position requires attention to detail and communication skills

Nice To Haves

• International Code Council (ICC) certification as Fire Inspector I, Fire Inspector II, and Fire Plans Examiner and Certified Fire Investigator (IFSAC or ProBoard) or the ability to obtain certifications within 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Provides interpretation of federal, state and local fire protection codes, and assist in the formulation of administrative policies for the local application of fire codes.
• Inspects all structure fires for cause and origin and investigate suspicious fire by request.
• Performs plan review and on-site inspections of Fire Code compliance of structures for compliance with approved plans and the International Building Codes.
• Overall responsibility for administration of SJC Fire Codes.
• Conduct field inspections for fire safety components of construction.
• Works with contractors, designers, engineers, architects, owner contractors and owner builders to ensure compliance with the Uniform Fire Code.
• Investigates the origin and cause of structure fires and suspicious wild land fires, burn complaints/fire permit activity.
• Develops and administers Countywide annual business fire/safety inspection program.
• Maintains records of inspection reports.
• Reviews development permits and pre-applications for compliance with the SJC Fire Codes.
• Assists customers, contractors and staff with permit requirements of the fire code.
• Reviews and inspect plans and field construction of automatic fire suppression systems and maintains records of annual fire suppression system inspection reports.
• Develops and conduct public awareness/outreach programs for fire prevention.
• Issues violation notices, enforcement orders, penalties, and fines for violations of the SJCC fire codes working in coordination with the Code Enforcement Officer and Building Official.
• Requires plans for correction and abatement of fire code violations and monitors the application of these until the completion of the required remedy.
• Coordinates with the Fire Districts, State Fire Marshal Office, Code Enforcement Officer, Building Official, Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, Public Works engineers and Assessors Office on a variety of issues including but not limited to permitting and code enforcement.
• Review adopted Fire Code provisions, programs, and fees, and draft legislation for any identified changes.
• Develops and recommends changes or corrections to those laws.
• Prepares letters, staff reports, ordinances and memoranda related to SJCC Fire Codes, plan and development permit review, business/safety inspection program and public awareness/outreach programs.
• Prepare annual budget including projected expenditures, projected revenue under current adopted fee ordinances, and additional funding as needed to provide Fire Marshal services.
• Attend necessary job-related training to keep skills current and maintain certification.
• Acting within the scope of their responsibilities, work as a public employee and municipal officer with courtesy and professionalism, adhering to the highest standard of ethics in accordance with RCW 42.52.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level