County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Division Chief/Fire Marshal in charge of the Fire Prevention Bureau, administers the day to day operation of a specific jurisdictions’ Fire Prevention Bureau; supervises Fire Inspectors and Fire Code Compliance Officers assigned to their bureau; routinely reviews and approves plans for new and existing buildings; assists the Fire Marshal as a liaison to other County/City Departments, developers, and the public on fire and life safety issues; assists the Fire Marshal to develop and revise local codes and ordinances; performs on site inspections to insure compliance with codes and ordinances; conducts fire investigations and performs related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class, Deputy Fire Marshal, is distinguished from the next higher class of Division Chief/Fire Marshal in charge of the Fire Prevention Bureau, in that the latter supervises, plans, organizes and directs all activities within the Fire Prevention Bureau. It is further distinguished from that of the next lower level class of Fire Inspector, in that the latter is primarily responsible for routine inspection duties to enforce laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to life, safety and the prevention and control of fire.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans, organizes and directs the daily operation of a specific jurisdiction’s Fire Prevention Bureau.

2. Routinely reviews and approves plans for new construction, remodel, alterations and repairs, and, when necessary, confers with architects, engineers, contractors and appropriate County/City staff to assure code compliance.

3. Supervises the work of the Fire Inspector and Fire Code Compliance Officers within their specific jurisdiction’s Bureau of Fire Prevention while providing training and guidance when necessary.

4. Assists the Fire Marshal with development review within their jurisdiction with related duties, including coordinating the work of the division with other County/City departments; attending inter-agency meetings to represent the Fire Department; attending meetings with developers; providing written reports.

5. Conducts on site inspections of building and fire protection systems as necessary.

6. Issues citations for code violations; approves citations issued by the Fire Inspector; prepares/reviews court package; and acts as liaison to the courts.

7. May supervise and/or participate in the investigation of fire cause and origin occurring within the entire fire district; works with other public agencies including the District Attorney’s Office, and all Law Enforcement Agencies in conducting fire investigations.

8. Shares responsibility with other Fire Prevention staff to provide around the clock fire investigation capabilities in accordance with department policy.

9. Provides expert testimony on criminal complaints filed by the Fire Prevention Bureau on offenses against fire laws, ordinances and regulations.

10. Reviews and understands related fire and life safety codes with related duties including: making recommendations to the Division Chief/Fire Marshal in charge of the Bureau for code adoptions or repeals; interpreting the meaning and intent of code sections; clarifying code requirements and inspection procedures to the development community; acts as the liaison with other agencies on ordinances which may require the support of the Fire Department.

11. Acts in the absence of the Division Chief/Fire Marshal in charge of the Fire Prevention Bureau as required, assigned, or necessary.

12. May develop, implement and manage fire company level programs for the Fire Prevention Bureau.

13. May assist in training shift personnel in conducting various fire inspections.

14. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Experience:

Two years of experience in the class of Fire Captain in the Alameda County Fire Department. (NOTE: Specialized training or education in the field of fire investigation, arson investigation or fire prevention may be substituted for one year of required experience.)

Or II

Five years experience performing fire prevention duties including fire investigations and plan checking.

Special Requirement:

Incumbent is subject to emergency recall while off duty.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license and be able to receive a certificate of completion in conformance with the 832 PC (Penal Code) requirements; as a minimum, standard Red Cross First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation certificates and any other licenses which may be required by departmental policy, rules and regulations and/or Memorandum of Understanding prior to the completion of the probationary period.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above minimum qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Modern techniques of fire prevention and suppression
• Fire and life safety systems
• Relevant building codes and ordinances
• Building construction
• Local, state and federal laws relative to fire department regulated activities
• Fire cause and origin determination
• Practices, procedures and equipment used in fire suppression
• Principles of modern supervision

Ability to:

• Communicate orally and in writing
• Read and understand pre-construction and construction plans
• Read and understand fire extinguishing system plans and calculations
• Recognize potential fire hazards
• Negotiate and use persuasion techniques to deal effectively with confrontational situations
• Organize and prioritize assignments
• Provide leadership
• Train and develop staff
• Adapt to stressful situations
• Work without direct supervision

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BG:sw
Old Name: Cadssec/DepFrM
New Document: Jobspecs/8147
12/2/99
CSC Date: 12/15/99
MAH:cs Revised 8/19/14
CSC Date: 9/3/14

BENEFITS

*** For benefit information, please refer to the recruitment brochure.