Assistant Fire Marshall

Salary : $47,276.00 Annually
Location : Columbus
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 202300125
Department: Emergency Management
Opening Date: 02/23/2024
Closing Date: 4/1/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
General Statement of Duties
This position performs a variety of responsibilities including assisting the Fire Marshal with investigating structure and vehicle fires as well as fires of unknown origins, developing and implementing a fire prevention, education and training program, and serving as advisor/coordinator for volunteer fire chiefs during major firefighting operations. The primary functions involve scheduling and conducting fire inspections and developing plan reviews on new construction and renovations in coordination with the Fire Marshal. Work at this level requires a Level III Fire Inspector certification. Work also includes developing and conducting fire and life safety classes and assisting in emergency situations such as search and rescue missions, weather related emergencies, etc. Work involves ensuring compliance with State Fire Codes, County ordinances and regulations, and arson investigation protocols and techniques. Considerable independent professional judgment is required in all aspects of the work, particularly in fire inspections and investigations and consultation. Considerable public contact requires that the employee exhibit tact and diplomacy. Work requires rotating on-call duty for seven days intervals twenty-four hours a day. The employee is subject to hazards associated with fire inspection, investigation, firefighting and hazardous materials and emergency management work, and to working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to high heat, chemicals, and in the proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and working in high places. Employee is also subject to exposure to atmospheric conditions and bloodborne pathogens, and is sometimes required to wear a respirator, and may be required to work in close quarters. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Director, and is evaluated through conferences, observation, written reports, quality of services, and citizen feedback.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties and Tasks

• In conjunction with the Fire Marshal, conduct Fire Inspections on any commercial, public building or facility in the County in accordance with the applicable NC Fire Prevention Code and County Ordinance.
• In conjunction with the Fire Marshal, conduct fire and life safety inspections on day care centers, foster, family care and rest homes, institutional occupancies and schools to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and ordinances; issues citations for violations; make follow-up calls to ensure corrected actions taken for cited violations.
• Assist in plan reviews submitted by individuals, corporations, or Community Development in accordance with the NC Fire Prevention Code and County Ordinance in the appropriate time frame as determined by the project.
• Conduct cause and origin investigations of fires when requested by fire departments within Polk County in accordance with NFPA 921 to include involvement of the Polk County Sheriff's Office and or the NC SBI when the incident potentially constitutes law enforcement involvement.
• Respond to and complete appropriate notifications and documentation to any hazardous materials incident in the County.
• Serve as a coordinating resource to fire and rescue departments in the County before, during and after emergency incidents.
• Serve as the on-call Emergency Manager/Fire Marshal on a rotating schedule as directed by the Fire Marshal/EM Director.
• Assist Emergency Management staff with operation and maintenance of all County owned and operated equipment and state, regional assets assigned to the County.
• Complete required and ancillary documentation both traditionally and electronically to include all inspections, investigations, maintenance records, financial, training, public presentations, NCEM, OSFM reports for departmental tasks as assigned by the Fire Marshal/EM Director.
• Develop and assist staff with delivery of public education safety programs.
• Assist Emergency Management staff with the Polk County Emergency Operations Plan. Serve essential functions in the field and or the Emergency Operations Center as directed by the Fire Marshal/EM Director.

Additional Job Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Director.

Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of firefighting principles and procedures, fire association and state fire protection and prevention codes, standards, and guides.
• Thorough knowledge of hazardous materials and chemical hazards, methods of control and mitigation, storage, handling of chemical releases, reporting, laws and ordinances
• Thorough knowledge of fire prevention and public education programs.
• Thorough knowledge of building construction and systems, fire sprinkler and standpipe systems.
• Considerable knowledge of arson investigation techniques and related laws.
• Considerable knowledge of fire department operations, organizational structures, and billing processes.
• Considerable knowledge of current literature, trends and developments in the field of fire service.
• Skills in investigating fires and utilizing modern evidence gathering and detailed documentation of findings.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations, and to support emergency services agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local Emergency Management principles and practices.
• Ability to coordinate multiple state and local resources and match resources with requests.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fire departments, emergency services agencies, schools, business and industry officials, other employees and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms; to prepare and submit clear and detailed reports.
• Knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft word, office, and excel.

Typical Qualifications
Minimum Requirements and Experience

• Associated Degree in Fire Science or related field or equivalent work experience.
• Certified firefighter level II.
• Hazardous materials operations certified.
• Minimum Level II Fire inspector must acquire level III fire inspector within 2 years of hire, must be certified by the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board.
• Certification as, or willingness and ability to successfully complete, Fire Investigative Technician and or Certified Fire Investigator by the NC Department of Insurance, Office of State Fire Marshal in a time frame approved by the Fire Marshal/EM Director.
• Successful pre-employment drug screen.
• Successful criminal Background check.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Physical Demands
The ability to perform all duties associated with the position including, but not limited to lifting, prolonged standing, driving, sitting, bending, stooping, and operating or performing work with associated tools and machines. The ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions. Must be able to work in environmental conditions that require both inside and outside work. Worker is subject to noise. Must be able to work in conditions that are subject to contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids.
Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, for extensive reading and work with figures; to operate a computer, to inspect fire sites, to use measuring devices, and to operate a motor vehicle.
We offer a complete benefits package to Full-time regular (FTR) employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, employee assistance plan, referral program, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Part-time regular (PTR) employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.