Job Details

Fire Inspector Promotional/Internal Only

Inspects buildings and facilities to determine fire prevention code violations and makes recommendations for correction of violations found. Investigates fires to determine cause and origin. Investigates suspected arson fires and develops and prepares cases for prosecution by county prosecutor. Presents public fire safety education programs. No supervisory or budgetary responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Investigates fires to determine cause and origin.
• Investigates suspected arson fires to establish evidence, interviews, interrogates and identifies suspects and prepares viable cases for prosecution.
• Works with private fire and insurance investigators, engineers, and adjustors to determine subrogation issues and claims; gives testimony in court as both an expert and factual witness.
• Inspects commercial and residential buildings to ensure compliance with fire prevention codes.
• Prepares and presents public fire safety education programs for schools, civic clubs and various other groups.
• Enforces City ordinances concerning open burning, fire lanes, and smoke detectors.
• Maintains detailed records and prepares and files in-depth reports.
• Responds to citizen inquiries and complaints involving possible fire hazards or code violations.
• Inspects installation of, and removal of, flammable and combustible liquid tanks, piping and related equipment.
• Inspects sprinkler systems, smoke detection systems and other fire suppression and prevention systems.
• Maintains detailed fire suppression and fire prevention records from incidents.
• Performs first responder duties for hazardous material calls; performs all phases of fire suppression duties.
• Issues permits as required by currently adopted International Fire Code.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Employee Behavior and Conduct

City employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include, but are not limited to, being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skills in public speaking, interpersonal relations, interview and interrogation techniques, fire cause and origin determination, report writing and photography.
• Skills in preparing cases for prosecutor.
• Knowledge of fire prevention codes, building, plumbing and mechanical codes and department rules, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of fire behavior, construction materials and practices.
• Ability to recognize fire hazards and identify code violations
• Ability to keep accurate and detailed records, write accurate comprehensive reports, understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Must be certified by the State of Missouri as a Fire Investigator within one year.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in Fire Science Service required. Must meet minimum qualifications as required in Working Agreement with Local 77.

Material and Equipment Directly Used

Daily driving of assigned vehicle. Frequent wearing of air pack, basic firefighting hand tools. Daily use of personal computer for record keeping. Uses hand tools and equipment used in fire investigation. Uses educational tools such as DVD player, TV and projectors. There may be times when use of personal vehicle may be required.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and lifting, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing or balancing and tasting or smelling; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to vibration, frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires working with explosives and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate's degree in Fire Science preferred. All applicants must pass a drug screening and criminal background check prior to employment. Any job offer made by the City is contingent upon the applicant passing the drug screening and background check.