Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal - Special Operations #00068

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Culpeper, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is seeking a knowledgeable and motivated professional to serve as the Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal – Special Operations. The Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal will assist in the overall oversight and special event planning of Special Operations Section of the State Fire Marshal’s Office to accomplish routine fire prevention inspections, investigations, disposition of complaints, and construction inspections of State facilities. The Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal serves as a subject matter expert for SFMO field personnel, local fire officials, other customers and stakeholders regarding explosives, fireworks, crowd management, releases of hazardous materials and the reduced cigarette ignition propensity (RCIP) program. The Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal also acts as a subject matter expert for SFMO field personnel, local fire officials and other customers and stakeholders regarding the technical requirements, application, administration and enforcement of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and applicable referenced/related codes, standards, laws, policies and procedures; and conducts investigations of hazardous material incidents, environmental crimes, blasting and fireworks incidents to include the issuance of Virginia Uniform Summons(s). The incumbent of this position will be responsible for performing duties such as but not limited to assisting the Assistant state Fire Marshall – Special Operations with oversight of special event planning; providing direct supervision of Deputy State Fire (DSFMs) at special events; and working with Assistant Senior State Fire Marshal – Special Operations (ASFM-SO) and CDSFM’s in other regions/divisions to coordinate sharing of resources across the state to accomplish the SFMO mission and complete all program activities in a timely and efficient manner. The incumbent of this position will be responsible for providing enforcement and technical assistance to local fire and building officials, building industry professionals (architects, engineers, contractors, tradesmen, etc.), and to professional industry organizations, and other federal, state and local government officials regarding federal and state fire and building related regulations. The Senior Deputy will be required to actively participate in local and regional fire prevention and explosives industry association events as needed; participate in the code development process at the state and national level as directed; provide assistance to the RCIP program coordinator with oversight of blasting/firework permits, the issuance of blaster/pyrotechnician licenses, and required permit billing; and develop and deliver training programs to external customers including, but not limited to, local fire departments, industry associations, community associations, and schools. This position has a Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) assignment and is designated as essential personnel. Provides support during an emergency incident either within the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC), in a field assignment or in support of recovery operations. Maintains situational awareness throughout the region / division. Employees may be required to work during emergency situations, such as inclement weather and natural or man-made disasters/events as directed. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may also include duties other than those specified in the employee’s official job description.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of mobile food preparation vehicles, applicable codes, and operations.
Extensive knowledge of NFPA 1124/1126/1123/495.
Comprehensive knowledge of the release of hazardous materials, applicable codes/standards/operations.
Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to develop and manage diverse and complex regional programs to provide safety to life and property from fire and associated hazards.
Comprehensive knowledge of the technical requirements, application, administration, and enforcement of federal and state building and fire safety related regulations, state mandates, and legal opinions including Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), Virginia Industrialized Building Regulations, the Virginia Public Building Safety Regulations, and referenced model codes and standards.
Possession of Fire Inspector II (NFPA 1031) certification from an accredited training organization recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia (IFSAC or ProBaord); Fire Prevention Inspector certification; and completion of the Life Safety Code Surveyor (CMS) training.
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of building and fire protection system engineering, design, construction, operations, inspection, testing, and maintenance.
Experience demonstrating the ability to conduct complex fire prevention inspections as well as conduct complex inspections of aerial firework shows and for close proximity pyrotechnic events.
Experience demonstrating the ability to collaborate with a variety of federal and state agencies to plan events.
Experience demonstrating the ability to research, cross-reference, and interpret multiple codes such as the SFPC, USBC, NFPA codes and standards, Code of Federal Regulations, legal opinions, and related codes and standards to determine compliance.
Comprehensive understanding of the relationship and hierarchy between building, fire, and other related codes and standards.
Extensive knowledge of the diverse needs and expectations of complex, and sometimes competing, customer groups and experience demonstrating the ability to negotiate resolution of sensitive issues.
Experience demonstrating the ability to design and orally present training workshops and technical presentations to allied professional organizations and customers at the local and regional levels.
Experience demonstrating the ability to research, organize, write, and publish technical material, write technical reports of findings, and publish technical material as needed.
Demonstrated ability to operate a computer and business applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, to track program data, measure performance, produce reports, and conduct routine business activities and communication.
Experience demonstrating the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with diverse local fire and building officials, industry professionals, professional organizations, etc., and possess demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex expectations of competing customers and partner/negotiate resolution of sensitive issues with stakeholders.
Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
Must be willing to travel overnight and be available to work days, evenings, nights, and weekends as needed.
Must be eligible for employment in the State of Virginia and at least 18 years of age.
Must be able to pass a federal background check to obtain a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Fire Official, as issued by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) within 18 months of employment desired.
Virginia Fire Marshal Academy (VFMA) - Environmental Crimes, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) - Post Blast Investigator Course desired.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (Hazwoper) desired.
American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL) - Fireworks for Fire Marshals, Virginia Department of Fire Programs - Hazardous Materials Operations desired.
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries - Boaters Safety Course desired.
Experience and knowledge of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC) – Virginia desired.

Responsibilities

Assist in the overall oversight and special event planning of Special Operations Section of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Conduct routine fire prevention inspections, investigations, disposition of complaints, and construction inspections of State facilities.
Serve as a subject matter expert for SFMO field personnel, local fire officials, and other customers and stakeholders regarding explosives, fireworks, crowd management, releases of hazardous materials, and the reduced cigarette ignition propensity (RCIP) program.
Act as a subject matter expert for SFMO field personnel, local fire officials, and other customers and stakeholders regarding the technical requirements, application, administration, and enforcement of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and applicable referenced/related codes, standards, laws, policies, and procedures.
Conduct investigations of hazardous material incidents, environmental crimes, blasting, and fireworks incidents, including the issuance of Virginia Uniform Summons(s).
Assist the Assistant State Fire Marshal – Special Operations with oversight of special event planning.
Provide direct supervision of Deputy State Fire Marshals (DSFMs) at special events.
Coordinate with Assistant Senior State Fire Marshal – Special Operations (ASFM-SO) and CDSFMs in other regions/divisions to share resources across the state.
Provide enforcement and technical assistance to local fire and building officials, building industry professionals, professional industry organizations, and other government officials regarding fire and building related regulations.
Actively participate in local and regional fire prevention and explosives industry association events.
Participate in the code development process at the state and national level as directed.
Provide assistance to the RCIP program coordinator with oversight of blasting/firework permits, issuance of blaster/pyrotechnician licenses, and required permit billing.
Develop and deliver training programs to external customers.
Provide support during an emergency incident within the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC), in a field assignment, or in support of recovery operations.
Maintain situational awareness throughout the region/division.
Work during emergency situations, such as inclement weather and natural or man-made disasters/events as directed, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and duties other than those specified in the official job description.