FIRE INSPECTOR

Do you thrive in an environment that is geared towards outstanding hospitality? Do you have a passion for being innovative and creative? Is hard work on your top list of ideals? Are you a steward of your working environment? Then read on…

The Villages Community Development Districts (The District) tops the list of community development districts that continues to grow in one of the most scenic locations in Florida, The Villages. Our collective commitment to hospitality, innovation & creativity, hard work and stewardship help employees thrive and excel in many fields within The District. An immediate full-time opportunity exists for an individual with commitment, a “passion” for excellence and “drive” for accuracy to join our Public Safety Department. This position requires a solid background of advanced fire training skills. The incumbent will enjoy a challenging atmosphere and being part of a productive team that supports The District and its surrounding community. The District is looking for an individual with a desire to utilize their cutting-edge skills in support of the Public Safety department. The District provides a supportive and engaging workplace that is committed to developing great talent, coupled with competitive compensation and benefits. Do not pass up this opportunity to be a part of a positive, expanding organization.

Competitive Benefits as a full-time employee of the District include:

• Medical Insurance (fully paid for employee single coverage)
• Voluntary health benefits including Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401(a) Retirement Plan, with contributions funded by the District
• 457(b) Retirement Plan, permitting employee pre-tax deferrals
• Flexible Spending programs for both Medical and Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible
• Tier 2 qualifying organization for The Villages Charter School
  
  

Job Summary

Responsible for inspections, re-inspections, and change-of-occupancy inspections for all commercial occupancies within the Villages Public Safety Department’s response areas. The Fire Inspector conducts public fire education, and ensures compliance with laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the prevention and control of fires, and the safe storage and handling of hazardous materials.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Includes, But Not Limited To)

Inspections

• Perform fire prevention inspections for a variety of buildings, structures, and installations; including but not limited to schools, health care, childcare and public buildings for compliance with Florida State Statue 633 and the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
• Inspect flammable liquid storage and Hazmat storage for compliance with state law.
• Examines blueprints for compliance with all fire codes.
• Conduct routine technical construction inspections.
• Research problems pertaining to fire codes.
• Analyze various approaches and recommend solutions.
• Perform periodic and follow-up inspections of new and existing buildings, structures and installations requiring Fire Department clearances per the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
• Investigate complaints pertaining to violation or concerns as it pertains to the Florid Fire Prevention Code.
• Issue corrective orders per fire prevention ordinance.
• Perform follow-up inquiries from residents or staff regarding company inspections or reported fire safety issues when necessary.
  
  

Training/Community Relations

• Conduct fire prevention and inspection training sessions for fire department staff.
• Develop, coordinate and/or conduct fire prevention training programs and group presentations relative to fire prevention to residents or special groups.
• Represent the Fire Department before citizens and groups pertaining to fire prevention programs.
• Provide information to the contractors concerning fire prevention practices and procedures.
• Participate in fire suppression training and fire suppression activities, as required by the fire department to maintain fire skills.
  
  

General

• Prepare and maintain required department records and reports.
• Produce written documents using proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling; use graphic instructions, blueprints and layouts when checking for code compliance.
• Interpret and enforce provisions of fire prevention, hazardous materials and fire safety laws, ordinances and other regulations.
• Assist the department as safety officer on emergency scenes.
• Responds to emergency calls to assist in departmental operations.
• Prepare Standard Operating Procedures and inspection guides for use by fire department personnel.
• Assist with department safety committee as needed.
• This position is subject to recall or emergency response outside of regularly scheduled hours.
  
  

Additional

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• May be expected to perform additional duties in an emergency.
  
  

ESSENTIAL EXPECTATIONS OF PERFORMANCE AND BEHAVIOR (Includes, but not limited to)

• Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions. Builds confidence in The Villages through own actions.
• Follows and support the District’s Core Values, Mission, and Vision of the district and follows and supports departments policies.
  
  

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (Includes, But Not Limited To)

• Any AS/AA degree from an accredited college or university is acceptable, fire or EMS field preferred.
• Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.
  
  

MINIMUM CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must successfully complete initial medical and physical evaluations and recertify annually in accordance with F.A.C. 69A-62 and NFPA 1582 standard.
• State of Florida Firefighter Minimum Standards certification.
• State of Florida EMT or Paramedic certification.
• State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I certification.
• State of Florida Fire Officer I certification required within 18 months of employment.
• State of Florida Safety Officer Certification required within 24 months of employment.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License required.
• Required FEMA (ICS) certifications must be completed within six months of hire.
• All candidates and employees must successfully pass background and drug screening.
  
  

Internal applicants must be in a regular, non-probationary status, with no formal discipline within the prior 12 months from the date of the job posting.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Includes, but not limited to)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of fire prevention; national, state and local fire prevention codes and ordinances.
• Knowledge of principles and operations of automatic fire detection and suppression equipment.
• Have knowledge of building construction.
  
  

Skills

• Successfully apply and communicate technical fire prevention knowledge.
• Maintain cooperative relations and effectively communicate with builders, contractors, businesses and the public.
  
  

Abilities

• Follow proper inspection techniques.
• Detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard safety practices.
• Interpret and successfully enforce a variety of codes, ordinances, standards, and regulations pertaining to fire prevention and hazardous materials with firmness and tact.
• Read, comprehend and successfully interpret building plans.
• Identify fire hazards and recommend corrective actions.
• Work effectively without close supervision.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material such as trade manuals, cut sheets, fire prevention code, local ordinances and Florida Statues.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports, maintaining and producing same within required timeframes.
• Participate effectively in structured classroom lecture as both student and instructor.
• Make effective presentations in front of groups.
• Develop and conduct fire prevention activities.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
  
  

EQUIPMENT

Position regularly requires the use of office equipment, including but not limited to, telephones, personal computers and productivity software, copier, printers, scanners, and fax machine.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Includes, but not limited to)

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 will be exposed to the following:

• Moderate to loud noise is typical for the work environment i.e., when in office setting with moderate noise of computers and printers and moderate customer traffic.
• Exposed to loud noises, during fire or emergency incidents where power tools and saws could be used.
• Outdoor weather conditions.
• Toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock.
• Fire encompassed surroundings.
• Dangerous persons.
• Dangerous animals.
• Hazards of emergency driving,
• Hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic, and natural and man-made disasters.
• A fire environment; work in intense life-threatening conditions; exposure to fire, smoke, bodily fluids, and noise.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described 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 following applies:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently requires weight of 10 pounds to be lifted or force be exerted and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Vision factors include close, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception.
  
  

Individuals assigned to this classification, when performing actual fire prevention activities, will be required to:

• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions; tolerate very hot and very cold temperatures.
• Move debris and dirt or other material using a shovel or rake.
• Walk over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces.
• Work at heights greater than 10 feet; climb ladders or steps to reach objects.
• Wear a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Hear alarms and other auditory warning devices.
• Observe or monitor objects, such as fire protection equipment and systems, buildings, underground storage tank monitoring system.
• Comply with safety standards.
• Work in small, cramped areas.
• Use common hand tools.
• Bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body.
• Perform physical inventories.
• Discriminate among colors or match colors of wiring systems and color-coded valves and piping.
• Move objects, such as portable generators, tools, and equipment, weighing up to 50 pounds over long distances.
• Stand or walk for extended periods of time with the inability to rest at will.
• Use arms above shoulder level.
• May be requested to climb ladders, scaffolding, trenches, or crawl in areas of confined spaces, while in the performance of fire inspection duties.
• May be placed in hazardous environments (smoke, heat, and toxic levels) while performing fire inspection duties, which include but are not limited to walking, climbing, hiking, through creeks, hills or other physical or topographical considerations.