Fire safety technician job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Fire safety technician in details. A complete job description concludes Fire safety technician key duties/responsibilities, Fire safety technician 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 safety technician duties:

1. Performance of daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections and preventative maintenance services on numerous sized fire extinguishers and fire fighting hose. Also assist with automatic sprinkler and fire alarm systems, risers, sectional valves, pumps and fire doors.
2. Replace, repair, fill and tag all fire extinguishers and fire hose in the facility.
3. Complete electronic and/or hand written inspection reports in a timely manner.
4. Communicate with customers to assure any system deficiencies re promptly reported and corrected.
5. Help schedule and complete assigned tasks.
6. Document time worked and all paperwork relating to assigned tasks in a timely manner.
7. Become proficient at maintaining a highly structured inspection schedule based upon NFPA standards and ECFP established ISO practices.
8. Service and test.
9. Be proficient in the use of electric carts, high lifts and scissors lifts.
10. Be able to work independently and use provided personal protective equipment not limited to fall protection, hearing protection, eye protection and head protection.
11. Understand and use two way radio communicators.

II. List of Fire safety technician qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent and 2 years previous related experience in a technical or mechanical field.
2. NFPA and NICET certification a huge plus; certification must be obtained within 1 year of employment.
3. Candidates must possess excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
4. Positive customer service attitude and people skills.
5. Working knowledge of fire sprinkler and/or fire alarm systems.
6. Working knowledge of building and fire codes and the ability to discover and document deficiencies in the systems being inspected.
7. Computer skills a must.
8. Valid Wisconsin driver's license.

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.