Manager II - Fire Marshal (Building & Fire Safety)

Manager II - Fire Marshal (Building & Fire Safety) - R1990

Pay Range: $7,044 - $8,934 per month (Non-Bargaining Pay Plan, C45 Step 1-13)

Hiring Range: $7,044 - $7,475 per month (Non-Bargaining Pay Plan, C45 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: February 25, 2024

Applications will be reviewed each week: 2/2/24, 2/9/24, 2/16/24, 2/23/24, and 2/26/24.

If a qualified candidate is selected, the posting will be closed prior to February 25, 2024

There is one Manager II - Fire Marshal opening with the Yakima County Public Services Building & Fire Safety Division. This position is responsible for overseeing and managing overall operations of the Fire Safety Section including implementing, administering, assigning, and coordinating resources, staff, and activities.

This leadership role is essential for maintaining and enforcing fire safety standards. This position entails conducting detailed inspections, investigations, and implementing preventative measures to uphold compliance with safety codes. Responsibilities include minimizing fire risks, ensuring community safety, and overseeing emergency preparedness efforts. This position requires technical expertise, effective collaboration skills with stakeholders, and a strong commitment to fostering a safe and secure building environment.

There will be a written assessment as part of the interview.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE AT: https://yakimacounty.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/YakimaCountyWA/details/Manager-IIR1990-2 BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE ON THE JOB POSTING.

Benefits included in position:

-Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)

-Retirement Benefits

-Paid Vacation

-Paid Holidays

-Paid Sick Leave

Essential Duties:

1. Plans, administers, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates programs of the Fire Safety Section (FSS) of the Building and Fire Safety Division of the Public Services Department;

Prepares budgetary projections, resource needs, and recommendations; Adjusts strategies, assignments, and programs to accomplish Section goals and objectives; Identifies and prioritizes resource allocation based on community risk, significance of program delivery, and related liability issues;

Develops, implements, and monitors policies and procedures. Manages daily operations for a variety of diverse programs, including proper application of codes and development standards, fire and life safety inspection, fire investigation, public safety, fire-adapted communities, and disaster mitigation programs.

Provides highly skilled strategic and technical advice to the public, boards, commissions, county staff, and associated agencies relating to code development and enforcement requirements, standards, and policies of federal, state, and local regulatory and non-regulatory programs. Makes Section commitments and establishes and sets precedent for operations as authorized. Acts for and assists Division management as required.

2. Manages staff; Prioritizes, assigns, and monitors work, matching complexity and assignment to skill level of staff; Analyzes overall workload; Evaluates performance; Recommends and implements decisions regarding employee selection and discipline; Reviews work progress, providing direction in quality and productivity expectations;

Communicates direction of Management and develops goals, work programs and assignments in coordination with that direction; Identifies and secures resources needed for department operations, provides staff training and cross-training to fire and building staff, and ensures that performance measurement goals are met.

3. Represents the Section at meetings such as Fire Chiefs, Fire Commissioners, Central Washington Homebuilders, Washington State Association of Fire Marshals, State Building Code Council, and International Code Council, to ensure that County views and positions are presented.

Confers with Department Director and Division Manager, affected department heads and/or County officials regarding the development and adoption of new ordinances; Monitors, analyzes and evaluates the social, political, and fiscal impact of public policy action on programs; Develops, coordinates, and participates in the delivery of policy and advanced technical level presentations.

Leads and facilitates public safety activities and citizen action issues with community and special interest groups; Serves in a leadership role to resolve complex policy and technical issues of fire and life safety codes, fire investigation activities, and fire-adapted community programs; and Responds to sensitive inquiries.

4. Gathers, compiles and analyzes fire inspection and investigation data to properly address fire problems; Communicates with attorneys, law enforcement, fire service representatives, customers, architects, engineers, contractors, property owners, and the general public regarding fire codes and regulations and investigation issues; Establishes goals and objectives and ensures that work assignments and resource allocation support the Section mission; Makes decisions on problems regarding fire and life safety code conflicts; Maintains statutory responsibility for application and enforcement of fire inspection and investigation codes.

5.Researches additional funding sources such as State Fire Marshals Association, Regional Life Safety Council, Fire Learning Network, FEMA Fire Prevention grants; Writes fire and wildland-related grant proposals and administers grant funds; Provides oversight of grant-related public involvement efforts; Negotiates, develops and recommends contracts and agreements; Monitors contractor or vendor performance and compliance; Performs the more technical work of the grant program.

Participates in strategic planning activities and assists in the development of the department budget; Researches associated federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to code enforcement, fire investigation, fire and life safety and wildland-urban interface codes; Evaluates application of new and existing codes; and Analyzes new products and technology to determine proper application and acceptability.

6. Manages assigned projects, including related activities such as approving construction materials and methods; Coordinates projects and activities with other departments and regulating agencies; Responds to questions and concerns of the property owners and general public.

Reads and interprets drawings, maps and blueprints; Reviews and processes engineering documents, plat applications and proposed development applications.

Reviews and approves or rejects, complex architectural, building and environmental systems, fire and life safety systems, and specifications for construction or alteration of structures such as commercial and industrial buildings, multi-story buildings, multi-family dwellings, hotels and motels, enclosed malls, buildings with atriums, smoke removal systems, and high-piled storage; Renders decisions as to the applicability of building and fire regulations; Prepares comprehensive reports as needed; Explains code applicability to architects, engineers, contractors, and the public in person and over the phone.

Works with multi-disciplinary teams to facilitate public service by consulting with and providing professional expertise to planners, architects, engineers, contractors and field inspection personnel on complex issues such as non-prescriptive building, fire, life, health, safety systems or complex structural or environmental systems to determine the applicability of regulations and recommend solutions in compliance with codes.

7. Conducts investigations and inspections of new and existing construction, code violations, fire incidents, and assessments of damage caused by natural disasters; Prepares and reviews technical and investigative reports and documents such as notice of code violations and stop work orders, fire incident reports, citations, warrants, and disaster assessment postings and reports; Develops information for use by the department and appropriate law enforcement agencies in case preparation.

Field work for inspections and fire investigations in hazardous locations such as active construction sites and fire incident locations.

8. Evaluates and approves or rejects proposals to use alternate materials, designs, and methods of construction for compliance with the intent of the applicable adopted codes and standards and for suitability for the intended purpose; Makes recommendations for code compliance.

Studies, researches, and analyses building, fire, mechanical, and abatement codes and standards; Writes interpretations and recommendations; Evaluates relevant laws, adopted codes, standards, and regulations appropriately applying those standards in policies, interpretations, and decisions.

Serves as a resource to the community by providing technical assistance to the public and other agencies regarding ordinances, standards and plans that govern construction and development; Presents staff reports and assists with updates to County codes; Conducts special projects such as proposing, reviewing, and commenting on proposed changes to construction codes and ordinances.

May be required to testify as expert witnesses in legal proceedings, presenting findings and providing professional opinions on fire-related incidents.

9. Plans, builds and tests computer applications for Building and Fire Safety Division; translates database design goals for projects; and evaluates project requirements. Works with staff providing support, technical assistance and troubleshooting of applications. Designs, creates, coordinates and maintains internet applications for fire and life safety programs.

Recommend the purchase of equipment to meet staff needs.

Implements and adjusts fee collection structures for the permit, citation, and plan check programs.

Prepares and maintains appropriate records to ensure documentation of building and fire code permit information, authorizations, and plans; enters technical data into the computerized database.

10. Other duties required.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Fire Command and Administration, Fire Science, Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Protection Technology, Emergency Management, Fire Administration, Business Administration, Public Safety, Public Administration, Organizational Management, Project Management, or other related degree AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience related to fire command and administration, fire investigation, fire inspection, plan examination, disaster preparedness, public safety, building or construction management and techniques, fire science, safety and health management or similar field, including two years in a supervisory and managerial capacity; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the advanced level of expert knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Required:

-valid WA State Driver’s License at time of appointment; proof of insurance if requested.

-successful completion of a criminal background investigation and general employment verification;

-ability to obtain Yakima County Sheriff’s Office deputation as Special Deputy with limited commission within 3 months of employment;

Certifications required prior to appointment:

-ICC Certification as a Fire Inspector I or Fire Inspector II or Fire Plans Examiner;

-Fire Marshal;

-IFSAC Fire Investigator; or

-equivalent certification or degree.

Certifications required as a condition of employment:

-ICC Fire Plans Examiner within one (1) year of appointment;

-ICC Fire Marshal within two (2) years of appointment and,

-IFSAC Fire Investigator within three (3) years of appointment.

Preferred:

-ability to speak and understand Spanish;

-familiarity or work experience working with WA State Fire codes and standards;

-work experience as a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, or other fire-related industry;

-experience reviewing construction drawings for compliance with International Fire Codes;

-advanced level of knowledge of software programs, including Microsoft products, integrated permit management systems such as

(Accela), and Database experience (SQL).

Preferred Certifications at the time of application submittal:

-ICC Fire Inspector I;

-ICC Fire Inspector II;

-ICC Fire Plans Examiner;

-ICC Fire Marshal;

-IFSAC Fire Investigator; or,

-additional degrees, professional certifications, recognition, awards, and licenses that demonstrate the acquisition and application of the

required knowledge and abilities to be successful in this position.

Equipment Used: telephone, computer, printer, copy machine, fax machine, calculator, digital camera, shredder and other office equipment, GPS unit, audiovisual equipment, motor vehicle and personnel protective equipment air-purified respirators (APR).

Working Conditions: This position is rated as Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects or work out in the field.

Duties are performed in an office setting and field environment and require driving to sites. Field work may be in hazardous locations such as active construction sites in the outdoors involving exposure to inclement weather, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, excessive noise and extreme temperatures. May be subject to travel for training and to attend conferences.

Confronted regularly by hostile and confrontational individuals.

Fire Investigations:

May encounter situations where the use of air-purified respirators (APR’s) is needed when conditions allow after the fire district safety officer determines through gas detection that the atmosphere is below the IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) and investigations can proceed or when fire investigation scene has cooled sufficiently to reduce or eliminate the off-gassing of toxic or flammable gasses and sufficient ventilation is available. This could involve responding after fires, hazardous material incidents, or other scenarios where air quality is compromised.

The role entails dealing with biohazardous materials, particularly in the aftermath of fires where biological hazards may be present. Proper training and protocols are essential for the safe handling and disposal of such materials.

Investigate crime scenes, especially those involving arson or other criminal activities related to fire incidents. This requires a comprehensive understanding of forensic procedures and evidence handling.

Collaboration with law enforcement agencies may be necessary, involving the sharing of information and working in tandem on investigations related to fire incidents.

May be required to testify as expert witnesses in legal proceedings, presenting findings and providing professional opinions on fire-related incidents.

Environment: excessive noise, exposure to weather, extreme temperatures, pathogen exposure, travel, field work, and may be required to work outside of standard business hours and alternate work locations for work and in the field.

Physical Demands: bending, carrying, handling, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, hearing, smelling, talking, visual acuity, mobility, and repetitive motions.

Intellectual Demands: ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instructions, and ability to follow verbal instructions.

Knowledge:

-supervisory theories, practices, and principles;

-Public Sector financial management, accounting, and budgeting theories and principles;

-terminology, laws, rules, and regulations governing fire and life safety codes and fire investigation practices;

-project management, public administration, and organizational management theories, practices, and principles;

-sources and tools for funding and financing public needs, including preparing and monitoring grants;

-customer service techniques and team building concepts.

-rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation used in professional report writing and editing;

-presentation methods, including the use of technology for displaying, analyzing, and evaluating research data;

-public participation and meeting facilitation methodology;

-thorough understanding of principles, methods and practices in code development, enforcement, and fire investigation;

-federal, state, and local terminology, laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and development standards related to areas of assignment;

-roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and other local public and private organizations;

-the scientific method of field practices for gathering, interpreting, and presenting data; and,

-principles of site assessment and impact analysis for development projects.

Skills (and abilities):

-using a personal computer and related software;

-planning, scheduling, assigning, delegating, prioritizing, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring a range of programs, initiatives, and

projects, including the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff;

-determining priorities and appropriate allocation of staff time and resources; making critical decisions; developing initiatives and projects;

-supervising, teaching, coaching, monitoring, and evaluating the work of staff;

-understanding and interpreting complex plans, diagrams, engineering calculations, construction drawings, and construction specifications;

-proficient in analyzing, interpreting, enforcing, and mediating laws, adopted codes, regulations, ordinances, and guidelines related to

building design, construction, and maintenance;

-advanced research skills focused on staying current with laws, adopted codes, ordinances, and regulations within the relevant field;

-demonstrated ability to articulate findings through the development of detailed reports, ordinances, and code proposals, grounded in a

thorough understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks;

-experienced in developing, writing, applying, implementing, and enforcing Division, Departmental, and County policies and procedures;

-critically analyzing and resolving customer and internal issues and conflict; building teams and applying customer service techniques;

-applying principles of financial and resource management in budgeting and grant management;

-giving presentations, public speaking, and facilitating meetings;

-providing technical expertise in codes, investigations, fire-adapted concepts, and public safety education;

-establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with Federal, State, County, and Local officials, citizen groups, and the

general public;

-giving presentations, public speaking, and facilitating meetings;

-effective oral and written communications, including writing and editing complex technical reports; and,

-SQL database experience with proficiency in writing queries, managing relational databases, and leveraging SQL for data manipulation

and retrieval.