Fire Marshal

County of Volusia • DeLand, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Highly specialized, technical position supervising and administering the fire inspection and fire prevention activities in the Fire Rescue Division under the general direction of the Fire Services Director. Responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Florida Administrative Codes, and County Ordinances that relate to fire prevention activities. Supervises and/or participates in fire prevention inspections, the fire permitting process, fire investigations for the purpose of origin and cause, and the review of building plans and building project specifications as they relate to fire protection and fire protection systems and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Establishes and supervises administrative systems related to fire prevention and inspections, and participates effectively as a management team member. Attends and provides technical information and testimony as needed at Volusia County technical appeal boards. Represents Volusia County as the liaison to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Supervises and participates in educational programs related to fire prevention and life safety; coordinates and supervises fire prevention and life safety educational program activities with assigned staff and fire suppression staff. Interprets codes, ordinances, and standards and requests formal interpretation from agencies and subject matter experts such as the National Fire Protection Agency, the State Fire Marshal and the County Attorney. Investigates complaints regarding fire code violations. Assists with and coordinates fire rescue matters with various team leaders. Assists in the development of long-range fire protection and suppression programs. Assists in the preparation of Fire Rescue's annual budget document as it relates to fire prevention. Assists with administration of related budget in accordance with established policies and procedures. Assists in preparation of long-range capital related budgets. Assists in the preparation and analysis of records and reports to secure efficient operations and to meet fire services demands. Makes recommendations and submits drafts of General Directives, Standard Operating Guidelines, etc. for the purpose of establishing and/or clarifying policies and procedures. Ensures that all personnel under his/her command comply with Federal, State and local regulations, and that all the Division standards are met. Assists in the selection process of new employees. Evaluates employee performance and completes written employee performance forms. Counsels employees on a regular basis. Makes recommendations on the retention or rejection of probationary personnel under his/her supervision. Approves leave and overtime compensation for subordinates under his/her supervision. Recommends and administers disciplinary action for personnel under his/her supervision when appropriate and/or when other non-punitive corrective measures are ineffective. Reviews and maintains records and reports regarding personnel, alarms, supplies, and other matters relating to the division. Coordinates and delivers training programs for Volusia County Fire Rescue (VCFR) personnel and other VCFR educational partners to influence statewide training curriculum. Researches industry trends and determines if they fit the needs and capabilities of VCFR. Assigned after-hours/on-call duties and responsibilities. Recommends and develops problem-solving systems for cost efficiencies. Attends work on a continuous and regular basis. Responds to emergency situations. Adheres to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or possession of GED.
• Eight (8) years of full-time paid fire experience as a Fire Inspector or Fire Investigator or at a higher level or equivalent rank, including fire prevention codes enforcement, hazardous aspects of chemicals and explosives, construction plans review, and fire/arson investigation, and in a supervisor and/or management position.
• OR Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of full-time paid fire experience as a Fire Inspector or Fire Investigator or at a higher level or equivalent rank, including fire prevention codes enforcement, hazardous aspects of chemicals and explosives, construction plans review, and fire/arson investigation, and in a supervisor and/or management position.
• OR Associate’s degree in Fire Science, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university and six (6) years of full-time paid fire experience as a Fire Inspector or Fire Investigator or at a higher level or equivalent rank, including fire prevention codes enforcement, hazardous aspects of chemicals and explosives, construction plans review, and fire/arson investigation, and in a supervisor and/or management position.
• A comparable amount of education, training, or experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements.
• Valid driver’s license at time of hire.
• Must obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire and maintain thereafter.
• Must successfully pass medical physical examination including drug screening and physical ability test.
• Current State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance from the Fire Bureau of Standards and Training.
• Certification as a Fire Safety Inspector I and II issued by the State of Florida Bureau of Fire standards and Training, Division of the State Fire Marshal.
• Must obtain an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) certification within one (1) year from the date of hire.
• Candidates must be nicotine/cotinine-free by the time of pre-employment physical/drug exam, including nicotine-containing products used in tobacco replacement therapies.
• Thorough knowledge of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, the Florida Administrative Codes, and County Ordinances that relate to fire prevention activities.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques of a contemporary fire prevention operation.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and/or construction plans, blueprints, sketches.
• Ability to conduct thorough fire investigations in conformance with legal requirements and procedures.
• Ability to identify fire code deficiencies and take or direct corrective action.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with owners, contractors, developers, County officials, internal and external staff, design professionals, and the public.
• Ability to draft, review, and render technical interpretations of fire prevention codes and ordinances.
• Ability to enforce fire prevention codes and ordinances firmly and tactfully.
• Ability to apply knowledge to specific training problems.
• Ability to manage the work of a technical inspections staff.
• Ability to lead personnel effectively and maintain discipline.
• Ability to supervise the work of, and motivate subordinate personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, utilize resources efficiently and prepare clear reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including public speaking and preparing written reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, citizens, outside agencies and other governmental entities.
• Ability to understand the Fire Rescue fund structures and budget development process.
• Ability to work in stressful situations.
• Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.
• Ability to perform essential duties and responsibilities, and meet the minimum requirements.
• Visual acuity (depth perception and peripheral vision) is necessary to operate a motorized vehicle.
• Finger dexterity.
• Must be able to see (color, depth perception, peripheral vision) necessary to operate a motorized vehicle.
• Must be able to hear, talk, smell; lift and carry, pull, push, and/or drag 165 pounds; stand, climb, crouch, balance, handle, grasp, finger dexterity, walk, crawl, kneel, reach.
• Ability to traverse uneven/undeveloped terrain.
• Must be able to read and comprehend professional manuals, journals and periodicals; safety rules and instructions; applicable codes and ordinances.
• Must be able to perform general mathematical functions including basic math, geometry, and shop math.
• Must be able to write business letters, summaries and reports.
• Must be able to clearly explain and discuss ideas.
• Must be able to speak clearly to layman on theory, principles and methods of discipline.

Responsibilities

• Administer and enforce the Florida Fire Prevention Code, Florida Administrative Codes, and County Ordinances related to fire prevention.
• Supervise and/or participate in fire prevention inspections, fire permitting, fire investigations (origin and cause), and review of building plans for fire protection systems.
• Establish and supervise administrative systems for fire prevention and inspections.
• Provide technical information and testimony at Volusia County technical appeal boards.
• Serve as liaison to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
• Supervise and participate in fire prevention and life safety educational programs.
• Interpret codes, ordinances, and standards, and request formal interpretations from relevant agencies.
• Investigate complaints regarding fire code violations.
• Assist with and coordinate fire rescue matters.
• Assist in the development of long-range fire protection and suppression programs.
• Assist in the preparation of the Fire Rescue's annual budget related to fire prevention and capital budgets.
• Prepare and analyze records and reports for efficient operations.
• Make recommendations and draft General Directives and Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Ensure personnel compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations and Division standards.
• Assist in the selection, evaluation, and counseling of employees.
• Approve leave and overtime for subordinates.
• Recommend and administer disciplinary action.
• Review and maintain records and reports regarding personnel, alarms, supplies, etc.
• Coordinate and deliver training programs for Fire Rescue personnel and educational partners.
• Research industry trends and assess their applicability to Fire Rescue.
• Perform after-hours/on-call duties.
• Recommend and develop problem-solving systems for cost efficiencies.
• Attend work on a continuous and regular basis.
• Respond to emergency situations.
• Adhere to Federal, State, County, and Local ordinances.

What This Job Offers

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