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Job Specification


 FIRE OFFICIAL / HOUSING INSPECTOR

                          FIRE OFFICIAL
 
 DEFINITION:

 Under  direction  administers  and  directs  the  enforcement  of
 provisions of relevant fire safety codes and related regulations,
 establishes day-to-day operating routines of the code enforcement
 agency,  and  coordinates and supervises activities of  any  fire
 safety  specialists or other staff employed by the  agency;  does
 other related duties as required.

 NOTE: The  examples of work for this title are for illustrative
 purposes  only.  A particular position using this title  may  not
 perform all duties listed in this job specification.  Conversely,
 all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Inspects  or  directs  the inspection of various  structures  and
 premises  for  the  purpose of ascertaining  and  causing  to  be
 corrected any conditions liable to cause fire, contribute to  the
 spread of fire, interfere with fire operations, endanger life, or
 for  any violations of the provisions or intent of the New Jersey
 Uniform  Fire  Code  or  any  other law,  rules,  or  regulations
 affecting fire safety.

 Investigates or causes to be investigated every reported fire  or
 explosion occurring within the jurisdiction that involves loss of
 life or injury or causes destruction or damage to property.

 If  it  appears that such an occurrence is of suspicious  nature,
 takes  charge immediately of physical evidence, and  to  preserve
 any  physical  evidence relating to the cause or origin  of  such
 fire or explosion, takes the steps necessary to prevent access by
 any  person  or persons to such building, structure, or  premises
 until  such  persons  designated by law to pursue  investigations
 into  such  matters  become involved, and  cooperates  with  such
 authorities in the collection of evidence and prosecution of  the
 case.

 Keeps  a  record  of  all  reported  fires  in  life  hazard  use
 structures  and all facts concerning same including investigation
 findings  and information as to the cause, origin, and extent  of
 such fires and the deaths, injuries, and damage caused thereby.

 Whenever  the  following  dangerous or  hazardous  conditions  or
 materials  are found in any structure or on any premises,  orders
 such  conditions or materials to be removed or remedied in accord
 with  provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code or any other
 law, rules, or regulations affecting fire safety:

      1.   Dangerous  conditions which  are  liable  to  cause  or
 contribute  to  the  spread of fire in or  on  said     premises,
 building, or structure, or endanger occupants thereof.

      2.  Conditions which would interfere with efficiency and use
 of any fire protection equipment.

      3.  Obstructions to or on fire escapes, stairs, passageways,
 doors,  or windows, liable to interfere with  egress of occupants
 or operation of the fire department in case of fire.

      4.    Accumulations  of  dust  or  waste  material  in   air
 conditioning  or  ventilating systems or grease  in   kitchen  or
 other exhaust ducts.

      5.   Accumulations of grease on kitchen cooking equipment or
 oil,  grease,  or  dirt  on, under, or around     any  mechanical
 equipment.

      6.  Accumulations of rubbish, waste, paper, boxes, shavings,
 or  other combustible materials, or      excessive storage of any
 combustible material.

      7.    Hazardous   conditions  arising  from   defective   or
 improperly  used or installed electrical wiring,   equipment,  or
 appliances.

      8.    Hazardous   conditions  arising  from   defective   or
 improperly  installed  equipment  for  handling  or  use       of
 combustible, explosive, or otherwise hazardous materials.

      9.  Dangerous or unlawful amounts of combustible, explosive,
 or otherwise hazardous materials.

      10.  All equipment, materials, processes, or operations
 which are in violation of provisions and     intent of the Code.

 Prepares  a written notice of violations describing the condition
 deemed  unsafe and specifies the time limit for required  repairs
 or  improvements to be made to render the building, structure, or
 premises safe and secure.

 May  grant extensions of time when it is determined that, despite
 diligent  effort,  compliance cannot be accomplished  within  the
 time specified in the notice.

 If  the  notice  of  violation is not complied with  within  time
 periods specified, institutes appropriate enforcement proceedings
 to  restrain,  correct,  or abate such violation  or  to  require
 removal  or  termination of the unlawful use of the  building  or
 structure in violation of provisions of the Code or other related
 directive or regulation.

 Conducts  hearings,  assesses penalties, and  sets  and  collects
 fines for violations of fire regulations.

 Ensures  that  all  life hazard use structures are  inspected  in
 accord with the schedule established by the Code.

 Ensures   that   notices  of  violations  are   served   whenever
 inspections reveal violations.

 Ensures  that permit applications are available and  assists  the
 public in preparing them when necessary.

 Reviews all permit applications for completeness as to form.

 Ensures that the inspection required for issuance of a permit  is
 performed in a timely manner.

 Ensures  that  no  activity or use which  requires  a  permit  is
 carried out without one.

 Ensures that all life hazard use structures are registered.

 Assists the state when requested with any registration survey.

 Coordinates activities with the fire subcode official  where  the
 work  to  be  performed,  to comply with the  fire  safety  code,
 requires a construction permit.

 Collects  all  fees and penalties due the local enforcing  agency
 and ensures that they are properly accounted for.

 Ensures  that  all requests for variances are properly  prepared,
 documented, and approved or denied in a timely manner.

 Ensures   that   all  appeals  are  promptly  referred   to   the
 Construction Code Board of Appeals.

 Records all notices of violation and determines the amount of all
 penalties for noncompliance.

 Ensures  that  a  report  of every inspection  is  completed  and
 properly filed.

 Takes reasonable measure to determine when imminent hazards exist
 and enforce the law as provided for by the Code.

 Files such reports as the state may from time to time require.

 Supervises  the  work  of any assigned enforcement  personnel  to
 ensure completeness and accuracy.

 Ensures  that  any  agency staff members requiring  certification
 possess such certification.

 Ensures that procedures of the local enforcing agency conform  to
 requirements of the Code and regulations.

 Prepares and obtains reports required by regulations.

 Attends  meetings  and  hearings as  required by the Code and
 regulations.

 Coordinates activities of the local enforcing agency  with  other
 code  enforcement  agencies and state agencies having  a  related
 interest or responsibility.

 Responds to and causes to be investigated any complaints  brought
 under the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.

 May  confer  with and speak before civic, school,  and  community
 organizations and groups concerning fire prevention methods.

 May  plan  and direct a public relations program to  present  the
 need  for and encourage the use of fire prevention methods  among
 community residents.

 May direct a public information and education program designed to
 improve  fire  safety  measures in the  home,  office  buildings,
 industrial and commercial structures, and other locations.

 May confer with public officials or civic representatives to improve 
 fire safety education programs.

 May  give  talks and demonstrations before adults and/or children
 on  methods for ensuring proper use of fire safety procedures  in
 the home, school, or other buildings.

 Will  be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
 manual recording and computerized information systems used by 
 the agency, office, or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS:

 EXPERIENCE:
 
 Five (5) years of experience in one or more of the areas indicated below
 or  some combination thereof:  (1) as a firefighter in a paid  or
 volunteer fire company, and/or (2) in the inspection of buildings
 to  detect  fire  hazards and to enforce fire  safety  codes  and
 regulations,  and/or  (3)  in  the  investigation  of  fires   to
 determine  their  cause,  and/or (4) in  the  inspection  of  the
 construction of buildings and the review of building construction
 plans   and   specifications  to  ensure  compliance  with   fire
 protection  codes and regulations, and/or (5) in the installation
 of fire protection equipment.

 LICENSE: AND CERTIFICATION
 
 Possession of a current and valid fire official certificate issued by
 the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

 Appointees  will  be required to possess a driver's  license
 valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather
 than employee  mobility, is necessary to perform the essential
 duties of the position.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge  of  fire prevention measures required in  residential,
 commercial, industrial, and public buildings.

 Knowledge of administration and enforcement of fire codes.

 Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations concerning all types of
 fire prevention measures.

 Knowledge  of  the  fire  safety system  of  buildings  and  uses
 including  but  not limited to means of egress, fire  suppression
 systems,  fire alarm systems, and methods for limiting the  flame
 spread, flammability, or combustibility of materials.

 Knowledge  of safe use and maintenance of facilities,  buildings,
 and  uses of such structures which are subject to the New  Jersey
 Uniform Fire Code.

 Knowledge  of safe handling, storage, and use of materials  which
 pose a fire hazard.

 Knowledge of provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire  Code  and
 regulations.

 Knowledge  of  supervision and management  techniques  needed  to
 effectively manage a large staff of field personnel.

 Knowledge  of  operation and maintenance of smoke  detectors  and
 types of smoke detectors and alarms available.

 Knowledge  of  principles,  methods,  and  procedures   used   in
 organizational analyses and program management.

 Knowledge  of  principles  and  practices  of  fire  safety   and
 protection   systems  including  limitations,  types,  operation,
 maintenance, and installation.

 Knowledge   of   methods  for  handling  and  storing   hazardous
 materials.

 Knowledge of means of egress requirements including exit  access,
 exit discharge, and exit signs.

 Knowledge   of   methods  and  administrative   and   operational
 procedures   applied   to  ensure  the  timely   inspection   and
 reinspection of life hazard use structures and highrise buildings
 required by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and regulations.

 Knowledge of methods of preparing inspection reports.

 Knowledge   of   procedures  involved   in   amending   technical
 requirements and in promulgating needed administrative rules  and
 regulations.

 Ability  to apply provisions under the Uniform Construction  Code
 Act,  Hotel  and Multiple Dwelling Law, and Rooming and  Boarding
 House Act, and their relation to the Uniform Fire Safety Act.

 Ability  to  organize assigned fire prevention and  safety  field
 inspections and investigative work.

 Ability   to   make  required  field  visits,  inspections,   and
 investigations.

 Ability to conduct hearings and assess penalties.

 Ability to maintain essential records and files.

 Ability  to  give  appropriate  assignments,  instructions,   and
 supervision to employees.

 Ability  to  comprehend and interpret basic laws and  regulations
 pertaining to fire safety, protection, and prevention.

 Ability  to recognize existing and potential fire safety hazards,
 call these to the attention of the persons concerned, and prepare
 detailed reports.

 Ability to establish cooperative work relationships with tenants,
 owners,  municipal  officials,  and  others  interested   in   or
 concerned with enforcement of laws relating to fire safety.

 Ability  to  estimate  time  required  to  abate  violations  and
 establish  realistic  deadlines by  which  owners  must  complete
 abatement of violations.

 Ability  to  supervise  the  establishment  and  maintenance   of
 essential records and files.

 Ability   to   prepare   extensive,   detailed,   and   technical
 correspondence in the course of official duties.

 Ability to prepare or supervise preparation of detailed narrative
 and  statistical  reports containing findings,  conclusions,  and
 recommendations.

 Ability to act as a witness in hearings and court procedures  and
 give testimony under oath.

 Ability  to  learn to utilize various types of electronic  and/or
 manual  recording  and information systems used  by  the  agency,
 office, or related units.

 Ability  to  read,  write, speak, understand, or  communicate  in
 English  sufficiently  to perform the duties  of  this  position.
 American  Sign  Language or Braille may  also  be  considered  as
 acceptable forms of communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
 as  they  can  perform the essential functions of the  job  after
 reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations.   If
 the  accommodation  cannot be made because  it  would  cause  the
 employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

 CODES: LG-06350             CAH                       7/1/96

 HOUSING INSPECTOR
 
 DEFINITION

 Under direction, performs inspection work involved in eliminating
 blight   and  restoring  and/or  eliminating  subnormal   housing
 accommodations; does other related duties as required.

 NOTE: The  examples of work for this title are for illustrative
 purposes  only.  A particular position using this title  may  not
 perform all duties listed in this job specification.  Conversely,
 all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Inspects buildings for health and safety violations.

 Confers  with individual property owners relevant to  service  of
 notices and violations.

 Reinspects   houses  after  completion  of  repairs   to   ensure
 compliance with regulations.

 Inspects dwellings that present difficult and unusual problems.

 May coordinate agency functions with other concerned agencies.

 Attends meetings.

 Prepares reports.

 May give advice and guidance to other staff.

 Maintains records and files.

 Presents inspection findings in court cases.

 May  inspect  hotels  and/or multiple  dwellings  to  detect  and
 eliminate fire hazards and to enforce provisions of relevant fire
 safety codes and related regulations.

 May  be  required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
 and/or  manual  recording and information  systems  used  by  the
 agency,  office, or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS:

      EXPERIENCE:

      One  (1) year of experience in building inspection, building
 repair,    building   maintenance,   construction,   construction
 inspection, and/or other work concerned with building  structures
 and/or building  repair.

          NOTE:  Successful  completion of a course in  Principles  of
 Housing Inspection may be substituted for six months of the  work
 experience.

          NOTE:  Possession of a current, valid Fire  Inspector
 Certification  issued by the NJ Department of  Community  Affairs
 may be required.

          NOTE:  Appointees will be required to possess a license as an 
 Inspector Multiple Dwellings, issued by the New Jersey Department of 
 Community Affairs, when assigned to a municipality approved to conduct 
 cyclical inspections of multiple dwellings in conjunction with the State 
 Local Cooperative Housing Inspection Program (SLCHIP).

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge  of approved inspection methods involved in  preventing
 and eliminating blight and restoring and/or eliminating subnormal
 housing accommodations.

 Knowledge  of  state  and  municipal  housing  codes  and  zoning
 ordinances.

 Ability  to  perform inspection work involved in preventing   and
 eliminating blight and/or substandard housing accommodations.

 Ability  to  meet  with  people and deal effectively  with  their
 housing inspection problems.

 Ability to participate in community affairs.

 Ability  to  prepare  clear,  sound,  accurate,  and  informative
 reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

 Ability to give guidance and assignments to assigned employees.

 Ability to maintain records and files.

 Ability to present inspection findings in court cases.

 Ability  to  learn to utilize various types of electronic  and/or
 manual  recording  and information systems used  by  the  agency,
 office, or  related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in
 English sufficiently  to perform the duties of this position.
 American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered
 as acceptable forms of  communication.

 Persons  with  mental or physical disabilities  are  eligible  as
 long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after
 reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations.   If
 the   accommodation  cannot be made because it  would  cause  the
 employer undue  hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

 CODE:  02071     10/08/2013

 DUAL TITLE CODE:  06555