Fire Prevention Officer I -II

Minimum Qualifications

Beginning salary commensurate with qualifications and experience; hiring range between $47,435.23 - $60,840.00 Annually.  

Graduation from high school or equivalent.

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.  

Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Upon submission of application, proof of the following must be provided: Firesafety Inspector I by the State of Florida (Levels 1, 2, and 3) and Firesafety Inspector II by the State of Florida (Level 3).

Level 1

Required Certifications: Firesafety Inspector I*

 

Level 2

Required Certifications: Firesafety Inspector I*

Three years of fire suppression/prevention, fire inspection, fire codes enforcement, or building plans review for fire codes compliance experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.

Preference given for Firesafety Inspector II*

 

Level 3

Required Certifications: Firesafety Inspector I*, Firesafety Inspector II*, completion of a two-year college level program in Fire Sciences or related field.

Six years of fire suppression/prevention, fire inspection, fire codes enforcement, or building plans review for fire codes compliance experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.

Preference given for any of the following: Fire Code Administrator*, NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist.

 

*Indicates State of Florida Certification

 

Fire Prevention Officer II

 A sworn affidavit attesting to the non-use of tobacco products. Click this link to retrieve tobacco affidavit. is required.

 Level 1 

Required Certifications: Firesafety Inspector I* Preference given for Firefighter II* Level 2 Required Certifications: Firesafety Inspector I*
Three years of fire suppression/prevention, fire inspection, fire codes enforcement, or building plans review for fire codes compliance experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Preference given for Firefighter II*, Firesafety Inspector II* Level 3 Required Certifications: Firesafety Inspector I*, Firesafety Inspector II*, Firefighter II* Six years of fire suppression/prevention, fire inspection, fire codes enforcement, or building plans review for fire codes compliance experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Preference given for any of the following: Fire Officer I*, Fire Officer II*, Fire Code Administrator*, NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist, completion of a two-year college level program in Fire Sciences or related field. *Indicates State of Florida Certification  

 

 

Position Summary

This is responsible technical work reviewing plans and inspecting structures for adherence to County fire codes. 

An employee in this classification is responsible for reviewing construction plans for compliance to fire codes; inspecting buildings and premises for fire hazards and conducting fire prevention programs. 

Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained. This position reports directly to the Division Chief/Fire Marshal.

Examples of Duties

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. 

Exudes a positive customer service focus. 

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication. 

Level 1 

Performs fire inspections to ensure compliance with National Standards, Florida Laws, and County Ordinances. 

Performs research and conducts surveys for various reports. 

Assists with public education efforts; answers complaints and assists the general public. 

Maintains open communication with superiors, School Board, and the general public for dissemination of information and the enforcement of all local, State, and National fire codes and regulations. 

Maintains records on buildings reflecting dates of inspections, fire extinguishing systems, hazardous or combustible materials contained within and emergency data on owners and occupants. 

Responds to complaints of fire hazards; attempts to resolve by corresponding and meeting with the affected parties. 

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform duties as required. 

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency. 

Level 2 ($23.4251 Hourly; $48,724.21 Annually)  

 Includes level 1 duties as shown above & level 2 duties shown below. 

Assists the Fire Marshal in the review of new construction and remodeling plans; submits written recommendations for compliance. 

Assists with inspections of new construction to ensure compliance with fire codes and that recommended changes have been made. 

Maintains records on buildings reflecting dates of inspections, fire extinguishing systems, hazardous or combustible materials contained within and emergency data on owners and occupants. 

Approves permits issued in compliance with fire prevention codes. 

Conducts fire prevention programs for schools and civic organizations, and makes presentations to schools, civic organizations, and other public arenas. 

Assists the Fire Marshal in providing responses to requests and questions from citizens. 

Responds to complaints of fire hazards; attempts to resolve by corresponding and meeting with the affected parties. 

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform duties as required. 

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

Level 3 ($29.2500 Hourly; $60,840.00 Annually)  

Includes level 1 and level 2 duties as shown above & level 3 duties shown below.

Conducts building plans review, examination, and approval for life safety, building codes, fire codes and Uniform Fire Codes of the State Fire Marshal.

Reviews site development plans for access, water utilities and firefighting capability.

Reviews current trends and developments in the field of construction. Examines building proposals of all types to determine compliance with code requirements and related regulations.

Records and documents all plans reviews.

Inspects all phases of building construction, repairs, additions, and alterations during progress and after completion for conformity with building codes and fire codes, approved plans and

specifications. On-site inspections require checking zoning setbacks, compliance with land development codes and all phases of construction during progress from beginning to completion.

Explains, interprets, provides guidance, and confers with planners, developers, contractors, building/facility managers, architects, engineers, and related professional organizations, as necessary, to promote an understanding of local and state life safety and fire codes.

Coordinates activities with the Fire Marshal (Division Chief, Fire Prevention), building inspectors, planners, engineers, and other agency staff.

Conducts inspections of places of public assembly such as: auditoriums, theaters, halls, businesses, industrial, temporary structures or tents, and institutional  occupancies, for existing or potential fire and life safety hazards and compliance with municipal fire prevention regulations.

 

Conducts inspections of fire protection systems and devices in buildings and structures within the county such as: fire sprinklers, heat and smoke detectors and other private fire protection devices.

Investigates and reports on complaints received from any concerned person, group or agency on matters concerning hazardous conditions or practices. Resolves these complex and sensitive service issues either personally, electronically, by telephone, or in writing. Maintains records and documents of customer service issues and resolutions.

Performs research on codes and ordinances as assigned to evaluate and recommend improvements to codes and ordinances. Research problems and complaints regarding commercial and residential buildings, building construction and code compliance. Responds to complex and sensitive building issues.

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform duties as required.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Thorough knowledge of standard building and fire safety codes. 

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of firefighting and fire prevention. 

Knowledge of County geography; knowledge of potential fire hazards in the County. 

Knowledge of building, electrical and fire safety codes and ordinances. 

Knowledge of building materials and methods. Knowledge of recent fire prevention developments and practices. 

Skill in the operation of the following equipment: personal computer, to include associated software, calculator, fax machine, copying machine, and telephone. 

Ability to prepare and submit narrative and statistical reports.  

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing. 

Ability to read, review and understand complicated building plans and blueprints. 

Ability to apply codes and ordinances to plans. 

Ability to impartially and consistently enforce fire regulations and safety codes. 

Ability to plan and present speeches and demonstrations on fire prevention. 

Ability to keep records and prepare reports. 

Ability to become certified as a Fire Inspector under State requirements. 

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, County employees, citizens, outside agencies, contractors, developers, architects, engineers, owners, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; taste or smell. 

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move in excess of 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions. 

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions (non- weather); fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold and heat (non-weather); risk of electrical shock; radiation, and vibration. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.  

Supplemental Information

Bargaining Unit: Fire Operations - IAFF Local 3852

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Confidential Position:  Certain personal information for employees (and specific family members) in this job position is exempt from public records pursuant to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

See Position Description