Fire Inspector Ii

Job Announcement

The primary function is to enforce the fire prevention code through inspections and witnessing of performance tests on fire protection systems. Other duties include:

• Inspects job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems, and witnesses the required performance tests conducted by the installing contractor.
• Inspects buildings, structures, and other permitted work to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) and associated Fairfax County amendments.
• Investigates and troubleshoots problems related to fire protection equipment and systems as they occur in buildings.
• May document or assess structural damage of failure due to fire, weather, or accident, and documents each incident with written reports, pictures, etc., as necessary.
• Inspects new construction to ensure that construction is in compliance with the VSFPC, VUSBC, other applicable codes, and ensures that construction is completed in accordance with the approved plans.
• Investigates complaints against builders or property owners, evaluates their validity, and recommends corrective action when necessary.
• Receives/responds to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners/developers regarding fire protection equipment and system requirements, installation status, permitting requirements, code/standards, or fire inspections, etc.
• Enters the results of each inspection into a portable computer terminal or maintains complete records of inspections and test results of performance testing of fire protection equipment and systems. When an investigation or inspection uncovers code violations or work that is not approved, identifies the sections of the regulations being violated, issues written code violation notices to developer, owner(s) or appropriate persons, and takes necessary action to ensure violations are corrected with concurrence of supervisor.
• Reads and interprets approved building plans and specifications.
• Reviews requests for inspections, coordinates inspections with other county agencies (i.e., Land Development Services, other sections of the Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Zoning, or Health Department)
• Interprets applicable codes and model standards.
• Prepares reports and composes correspondence.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and training.

NOTE: This position may be underfilled with candidates who qualify as a Fire Inspector I. If you do not meet all of the certifications needed for a Fire Inspector II; you will be hired as a Fire Inspector I underfill, at the grade S17 with hourly pay of $23.03. When all certifications are completed within 12 months of hire, completion of the probationary year, and the approval of the Chief, the position would then become a grade S21 with a 7.5% increase in pay. The underfill requirements are stated below in the Employment Standard Section. The Department of Housing and Community Development requires the 1031 certification be issued by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to qualify as a Fire Inspector II.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description).

• Inspects job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems; Witnesses required performance tests conducted by the installing contractor;
  
• Inspects buildings, structures, and other permitted work to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments;
  
• Investigates and troubleshoots problems related to fire protection equipment and systems as they occur in buildings;
  
• Inspects new construction to ensure construction is in compliance with the VSFPC, VUSBC, and other applicable codes and ensures construction is completed in accordance with approved plans;
  
• Investigates complaints against builders or property owners, evaluates their validity, and recommends corrective action when necessary;
  
• Receives and responds to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment and system requirements, installation status, permitting requirements, code, standards, or fire inspections, etc.;
  
• Enters results of each inspection into a portable computer terminal or maintains complete records of inspections and test results of performance testing of fire protection equipment and systems;
  
• Identifies the sections of the regulations being violated, when an investigation or inspection uncovers code violations or work that is not approved, and issues written code violation notices to developer, owner(s), or appropriate persons and takes necessary action to ensure violations are corrected with concurrence of the supervisor;
  
• Reads and interprets approved building plans and specifications;
  
• Reviews requests for inspections and coordinates inspections with other county agencies (i.e., DPWES, LDS, other sections of the Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Zoning, or Health Department);
  
• Interprets applicable codes and model standards;
  
• Attends meetings, conferences, and training;
  
• Prepares reports and composes correspondence;
  
• Responds to on-call duties outside of normal business hours and is subject working emergency overtime.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of fire protection equipment and systems;
  
• Knowledge of fire chemistry and behavior, fire prevention fundamentals, general fire safety, physical properties of flammable and combustible solids, liquids, and gases, and fundamentals of fire suppression;
  
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of model codes and standards;
  
• Knowledge of the materials and practices used in building construction;
  
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and engineering drawings;
  
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as fee calculations, proportions, percentages, area and circumference;
  
• Ability to identify situations that may impact the health, welfare, or safety of the public and take appropriate remedial actions;
  
• Ability to conduct inspections of buildings and facilities to ensure code compliance;
  
• Ability to work with people and obtain cooperation, even in difficult situations;
  
• Ability to prepare clear and factual reports;
  
• Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school graduation or a GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of commensurate experience as a Fire Inspector I and three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.

UNDERFILL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may be underfilled as a Fire Inspector I. (Grade S17; $45,204.64 - $ 75,341.14 ). The employment standards for the Fire Inspector I. are: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for " Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to a high school graduation or GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of general work experience and three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.
Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Fire Inspector I. within two years of the job announcement's closing date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development course "Fire Protection Systems Inspection".
• Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development "Fire Protection General, (3B Test)".

Note: Fire Inspector I/II must be issued by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP).

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA 1031) from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (Required)
• Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Academy (CORE Module) (Required)
• Civilian Entry from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs or successful completion of Firefighter I and II- (Required)
• Hazardous Materials Awareness from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs- (Required)
• Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development course "Fire Protection Systems Inspection"-Required within 18 months
• Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development "Fire Protection, (3B Test)-Required within 18 months

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, driver's record check and sanctions screening to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to climb stairs, climb a ladder, walk for long distances, drive, bend over, stoop. Pertain to all duties. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home ( Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.