Fire Safety & Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager

El Paso County•El Paso, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position ensures compliance with adopted codes through review of architectural plans, entitlement documents, site development plans, written documents, and building permits. It requires a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of current laws, rules, codes, and regulations affecting fire, life safety, and wildfire mitigation. The role performs a full range of highly technical and complex professional and administrative work housed in the Planning and Community Development Department. It provides technical assistance to County Officials, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Management, developers, homebuilders, homeowners, fire departments, forestry consultants, and others related to fire safety. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering, fire science, natural resources management, fire protection engineering, architecture, or related field.
Four years of related professional experience may substitute for the required degree.
Five years of related experience, including experience in fire systems review, wildfire mitigation, forest management, or land development experience.
Experience in the application of the IFC, IBC, and NFPA standards.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications/licenses as applicable to position.
International Code Council - ICC Fire Plans Examiner required.
Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.
Working knowledge of the International Fire Code (IFC), International Building Code (IBC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
Understanding of and practical application of the codes and standards.
Knowledge of the scope and application of Local, State, and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to assigned functional areas.
Knowledge of and expertise with marking defensible space and conducting home assessments to evaluate wildfire risk.
Familiarity with local fire protection district organizations, land use practices, wildfire hazard mitigation, and community practices.
Must exercise considerable and sound judgment and initiative in combining a broad scope of professional planning and content knowledge and sophisticated, analytical judgments to solve various complex, technical problems; must work independently and in teams.
Ability to reduce complex planning theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies to layman's terms and provide accurate information in a comprehensive, concise, and effective manner, often under controversial circumstances.
Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate technical information.
Ability to effectively navigate and resolve complex situations with tact and diplomacy.
Ability to read and comprehend department and County rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures.
Exceptional interpersonal communication and public speaking skills, negotiation skills, and ability to cultivate and sustain effective working relationships with County staff, elected officials, Federal/State officials, the public, and other stakeholders to elicit engagement.
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Ability to write concise, logical, and grammatically correct analytical reports.
Ability to operate computers and standard office equipment, working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Responsibilities

Generates plan review comments and reports; performs detailed analysis of potential fire hazards and coordination of various fire protection systems; coordinates fire and life safety aspects of design in conformance with the County Code.
Conducts land use reviews, addressing wildfire-related issues; reviews and approves wildfire mitigation plans for individual developments.
Evaluates performance-based design and alternative methods and materials by reading and reviewing corresponding documents, reviewing required codes and standards, and understanding fire dynamics.
Reads and interprets complex building plans and specifications.
Develops, designs, plans, coordinates, implements, and administers the wildfire mitigation partnerships, incorporating code enforcement, public awareness and education, and land planning components.
Explains technical information and code requirements by oral, written, and graphic means.
Communicates findings to the customer or stakeholder in detailed and accurate documentation.
Negotiates and develops mutually acceptable solutions to code conformance problems and life safety issues with architects, engineers, contractors, and the public.
Assists with field inspections on new construction projects.
Conducts building, fire/wildfire code and fire/wildfire planning reviews and analyses.
Advises design professionals, contractors, business owners, staff, and the public on matters related to code requirements, adopted codes, and ordinances for compliance.
Represents the County to various wildfire-related collaborative organizations at the Local, State, and Federal levels.
Serves as the point of contact for mitigation partnerships with outside agencies, stakeholders, and communities.
Provides assistance to the Sheriff’s Office on the County Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP) process as needed.
Attends meetings and serves on a variety of committees and boards, including technical planning and review groups.
Serves as the County’s lead technical expert on defensible space and home hardening.
Remain current on trends, science, research, legislation, and policy that may have an impact on County practices in and around the developing and built environments.
Performs other duties as required.