Full-Time Fire Marshal
Job Description
SUMMARY:
The Permitting Division of the department of Local Services (DLS) is accepting applications for the career-service position of Fire Marshal, responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of the International Fire Code in all new and existing buildings in unincorporated King County.
The Fire Marshal oversees fire protection engineering review and inspections of building and land use permits; fire systems permits; operational permits of existing buildings; and special event permits. This role (position?) reports to the Deputy Director of the Permitting Division. Incumbents must demonstrate and cultivate in the agency a regulatory approach that balances careful adherence to applicable laws and policies with superior customer service.
JOB DUTIES:
Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
- Provide leadership and manage daily operations and resources for the deputy fire marshals; establish priorities and ensure target service delivery timelines are achieved.
- Serve as subject matter expert for the Division on International Fire Code, including fire suppression/detection systems, hazardous materials, building construction, and site development.
- Draft and implement work plans, ensuring goals and objectives align with County and department/division strategic plans.
- Identify and develop staffing requirements; set performance expectations, evaluate staff performance; manage training plans, and ensure overall quality control of fire code enforcement services. and recommend hiring, disciplinary and termination decisions.
- Supervise and direct the review and inspection of building and land use permits; fire systems permits; operational permits of existing buildings; special event permits; and confidence reporting.
- Assist Division staff in complex or unusual fire code applications or procedures.
- Assist in the development of County’s emergency response plan. Respond directly to callout or identify resources to respond to emergency. Represent the division to the e911 and GIS programs or systems.
- Represent King County in legal action by assisting the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in litigation issues.
- Make presentations to staff, industry representatives, governing bodies and the public regarding Fire Marshal’s services and fire prevention. In coordination with department public information program provide outreach to public and respond to media.
- Notify and respond to inquiries from King County Fire Districts regarding county policies and actions. Manage interlocal agreements with other agencies.
- Actively represent King County participating in the fire marshal zone meetings, policies, and program development.
- Review and advocate for legislation, rules, and policies to ensure successful integration into programs. Identify the need for new fire code legislation or policies and work to develop and implement them.
- Coordinate enforcement of county Fire Code/fireworks violations with other agencies.
- Burn ban/wildfire coordination.
- Provide interagency and coordination with state, other jurisdictions, special purpose districts, and County emergency management.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:
Minimum Qualifications:
- ICC certification as a fire marshal, fire plans examiner or inspector.
- An engineer or architect license or related professional degree in a similar field OR Any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work.
- Experience in public administration and management techniques, skill in managing and supervising staff.
- Advanced knowledge of fire sciences, including fire behavior, fire codes, hazardous materials, and fire prevention systems.
- Demonstrated experience working with federal, state, and local codes regulating development and systems, permit process practices, construction materials and methods.
- Proficiency in building permit process, including plan review methods, inspections techniques and code enforcement process.
- Experience with addressing systems and principles.
- Experience using confidence reporting systems and programs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to provide exceptional customer service.
- Experience in using common desktop tools, including but not limited to the Microsoft Office suite: Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to handle multiple competing and changing priorities while producing quality detailed work within tight timeframes.
- Skill in mediation, negotiation and handling sensitive situations.
Desired Qualifications:
- Skill in working with and supporting elected or appointed public boards or commissions.
Necessary special requirements:
- Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle safely throughout the County.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview the week of October 23, 2023.
If you are selected as a finalist, you will be invited to come back the week of October 30, 2023, for a second interview.
This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months. Including career service, special duty assignments, STT and TLT opportunities.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.
Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7.00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This full-time position is overtime eligible.
Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a resume and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Interviews will be conducted via Teams. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.
Union Membership: Non-represented.
Teleworking Requirement
This is a hybrid position. The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position may include regular and ongoing in-office work involving in person customer service in accordance with the division’s available customer service options.
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department’s hybrid environment.
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our “True North“, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles–we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
How to Apply
Job Opportunities | King County Careers (governmentjobs.com) If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.63 total views, 0 today