Fire prevention engineer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Fire prevention engineer in details. A complete job description concludes Fire prevention engineer key duties/responsibilities, Fire prevention engineer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Fire prevention engineer duties:

1. Inspects institutions, industries, retail establishments, hotels, apartment and condominium complexes, service stations, schools, hospitals, nursing and convalescent units, and other establishments to secure compliance with codes and regulations pertaining to fire safety.
2. Makes special miscellaneous inspections (i.e., flammable liquid tanks, fire detection, fire protection and alarm systems, blasting operations, vapor recovery systems, etc.) and issues permits (burning, blasting, pyrotechnics, etc.) as required.
3. Participates in post-fire investigations and analyses as needed.
4. May participate in Fire Investigation duty rotation as assigned and responds to the site of emergency incidents, notifies appropriate authorities and coordinates cleanup activities.
5. Makes recommendations concerning fire safety for public assemblies.
6. Prepares inspection records and technical letters pertaining to recommendations and violations.
7. May monitor commercial and industrial use of hazardous substances through permits and inspections, and make recommendations for handling, storage and disposal.
8. Performs technical plan checks to determine compliance with fire and building codes as required, but not limited to checking underground fire mains, fire alarm and fire suppression systems.
9. Investigates and responds to complaints and requests for information from the public.
10. May assume inspection duties in the absence of other prevention officers.
11. Gives public presentations on fire safety and fire prevention topics.
12. May interview juveniles regarding fire safety.
13. Attends meetings.
14. Performs related work as required.
15. Provides vacation and temporary relief as needed.

II. List of Fire prevention engineer qualifications

1. Modern fire prevention principles, procedures and methods.
2. Applicable codes and regulations, including health and safety codes, building codes, Title 19, Title 24, and City fire prevention codes, or ability to acquire such knowledge.
3. Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers.
4. Computer software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, as necessary.
5. Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing techniques.
6. Principles of business letter writing, record keeping and basic report preparation.
7. Methods and techniques of public relations.
8. Basic map reading.
9. Mathematical principles for purposes of reading plans and maps.
10. Effective communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information.
11. Principles and practices of customer service.
12. Effective English usage, to include proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.
13. Perform fire prevention inspections and identify violations of applicable codes and regulations.
14. Participate in fire investigations and testify in court.
15. Read and interpret codes, regulations, technical reports and building plans.
16. Complete required training in such subjects as post-fire investigations and hazardous materials incidents.
17. Prepare and present professional fire safety presentations to civic organizations.
18. Successfully complete periodic physical examination required for use of respirators, as required.
19. Learn methods and techniques of research and investigation.
20. Prepare and maintain clear, accurate and concise records, correspondence and reports.
21. Represent the City in a professional manner and deal effectively with the public to gain their cooperation in resolving problems and concerns.
22. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications as they apply to fire prevention duties and records management systems.
23. Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
24. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
25. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, staff and the public.
26. Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by college level courses in fire science.
27. One year of experience in fire service, building trades, code enforcement, or related field.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.