The East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District (ELFR) in Pinellas County Florida is currently soliciting Letters of Interest for the exempt position of Civilian Fire Marshal. 

Please submit Letters of Interest with a brief resume or Curriculum Vitae to the attention of Fire Chief Jason Gennaro at jgennaro@elfr.org by July 22, 2024. 

Salary is $72,238-$104,628 DOQ, with longevity award of up to $3,000. Competitive benefits include health care and dental coverage for employee and dependent(s), continuous learning is supported through tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities, defined contribution plan 401(a) with a generous 15% district contribution, 12 paid holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, education reimbursement, travel reimbursement, bereavement leave, and a flexible workplace schedule.

CIVILIAN FIRE MARSHALL OPENING

General Description:

The Fire Marshal directly oversees and manages fire prevention activities conducted by the District, including fire investigations, plan review process, community education, fire code inspection / enforcement, training of District employees in the relevant areas of fire prevention, and is responsible for the overall administration of the Fire Prevention Division’s programs and services; coordinates and collaborates with fire districts, fire departments and fire agencies regarding fire code development, adoption of standards and fire code enforcement; advocates for fire service issues.

The Fire Marshall reports to the Fire Chief and keeps the Fire Chief informed of all functions and important matters concerning fire prevention activities. The position also supervises personnel assigned to Fire Prevention. Most of the work is performed in an office environment with trips to locations in the surrounding community for the purpose of performing inspections, investigating fires and emergency scenes, and speaking before community groups.

Under limited supervision, the Fire Marshal independently prepares, organizes, and directs more complex activities related to community risk reduction (CRR) education. Works closely with fire district employees, other governmental jurisdictions, businesses, private entities, and volunteer organizations to develop and implement CRR programs for the whole community. The Fire Marshal exercises considerable independent judgment and initiative in completing work assignments.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

The responsibilities as listed are descriptions of essential functions and are not necessarily all inclusive. The omission of an essential function of work does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein. Assigned duties, which are essential functions of work not listed herein, are permissible if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive Fire Prevention Division and associated community risk reduction programs. Evaluate Fire Prevention Division activities and goals on a regular basis and adjust as appropriate. Coordinate the fire prevention activities with other programs of the district and personnel.
• Oversee and review annual inspection program. Interpret codes and mitigate solutions for Fire Prevention and Suppression personnel and building/business owners.
• Develop, implement and conduct procedural methods and practices for reviewing plans, conducting inspections and investigating fire loss incidents.
• Conduct field inspections of construction projects and inspect buildings and facilities as necessary. Evaluate and enforce existing fire safety conditions and Federal, State and local codes applicable to fire safety.
• Assist in the development and implementation of District policies, goals, objectives and priorities and recommend policy, procedure and ordinance revisions as necessary.
• Prepare and administer Fire Prevention budget, based on goals and objectives of Fire Prevention Division and the District.
• Make presentations before the Board of Fire Commissioners, commissions, boards and committees on fire prevention matters, as necessary.
• Meet with and assist architects, engineers, contractors and others involved in development and construction activities where fire codes, ordinances or standards may affect such activities.
• Provide fire prevention content training to District personnel.
• Conduct and oversee emergency scene and fire investigations, determine cause and origin, and coordinate activities with law enforcement.
• Maintain complete and permanent records of all Fire Prevention Division activities including public education contacts, inspections made, conditions corrected, citizen complaints, special hazards, the cause of fires occurring within the district, the owner and occupant of the property involved, and loss of such property and other information considered necessary.
• Submit monthly and annual reports to the Fire Chief summarizing fire prevention activities.
• Attend regional and state meetings of related agencies, and other relevant meetings/ conferences to maintain current knowledge of regional affairs, with impact to Fire Prevention activities. Stay current with code interpretations, fire investigation and public education programs/techniques. Coordinates and delivers public fire education and life safety prevention programs and activities for schools, day care centers, health care facilities, businesses, private residences, and the community.
• Coordinates and delivers fire prevention programs for public safety events in the community and Pinellas County Schools.
• Coordinates and delivers the educational workshop segment of the Juvenile Fire-setter Prevention and Intervention Program.
• Develops curriculum to meet the needs of young children, preteens, adolescents, and their parents to increase awareness of fire hazards and fire safety and prevention strategies.
• Evaluates fire and life safety issues for development or revision of educational materials, methods and/or techniques.
• Liaison with external and internal department agencies and community resources for joint efforts in fire education and life safety prevention programs.
• Represents the District in various fire education and life safety prevention planning committees.
• Coordinates resources and participates in large-scale community outreach events and media related public education demonstrations.
• Plans, organizes, and executes educational programs to include format, timelines, and relevant resources; coordinates and designs educational marketing materials for a publication to a variety of audiences.
• Schedules, participates, and provides knowledge in child passenger safety in a variety of activities including community presentations and/or child safety seat checks.
• Develops presentations using audio-visual, computer, photographic, and/or hardware-based technologies for educational programs.
• Prepares statistical analysis of types of fire incidents from county and state fire reports in order to identify and develop appropriate educational programs and reporting criteria having an impact on educational outreach and fire prevention initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Principles, methods and practices of modern fire prevention management, fire suppression activities and investigation techniques.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Principles and practices of personnel management including training, performance evaluation, and conflict management.
• Fire investigation procedures; Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of the fire service.
• Knowledge of office methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to public safety.
• Ability to teach adults and children.
• Ability to lead and guide a training classroom; manage a number of different personalities, including misbehaving participants, and steer them in the right direction.
• Ability to juggle several tasks, from lesson planning to activities.
• Ability to explain and demonstrate clearly so that concepts that are not easy to understand are simplified using memorable examples or props.
• Ability to be creative to keep students interested and engaged.
• Ability to adjust work schedule to accommodate educational program delivery and associated components as approved by the supervisor.
• Ability to work independently, organize, and execute assignments with minimum supervision.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to serve the community and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with district policies. A strong understanding of ethical behavior is required.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, district officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability or political affiliation.
• The ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Possess and maintain State of Florida Fire Inspector I Certification.
• Possess (or acquire within 18 months) and maintain State of Florida Fire Investigator Certification.
• State of Florida Fire Code Administrator Certification (Preferred).
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in fire code enforcement, fire investigation, and/or fire suppression with 2 – 3 years supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Possess (or acquire within 12 months) and maintain CPR/AED certification. 
• Possess (or acquire within 18 months) and maintain instructor certification for CPR/AED and first aid training (preferred). 
• Possess (or acquire within 18 months) and maintain National Child Passenger Safety Seat Certification.
• Possess (or acquire within 18 months) and maintain Certificate of Competency in Fire and Life Safety Educator from the Division of the State Fire Marshal. 

          A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here 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, an employee is regularly required to talk and hear; use hands or fingers to handle and feel; and frequent use of the telephone and computer while communicating with internal and external customers; requires manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate personal computer or other standard office equipment, job site inspections and investigations. The employee may sit for several hours each day but will also need mobility and the ability to stand and walk continuously for long periods of time. The employee may seldom lift, push, or pull up to 50-100 pounds in the course of an investigation. Work may occasionally require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. This position may require the employee to work under stressful conditions due to deadlines and time constraints.

This position will require the employee to perform strenuous work seldom, for extended periods of time, while performing some or all of the following:

• Wear a respirator (SCBA).
• Wear specialized protective clothing/equipment.
• Work in an overheated, extreme cold, or wet environment.
• Work under adverse or stressful conditions.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The work area will encompass a wide variety of settings including administrative duties in an office setting; occasionally works outside, in poor weather conditions, in hazardous traffic areas, in and around structures that may be hazardous and/or unstable, and under unfavorable or unsanitary conditions, which may include biohazards, air and blood-borne pathogens. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may reach extremes where hearing protection is required.

Special Requirements

• Requires ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening examination and any subsequent testing.
• Requires ability to pass a comprehensive background check.
• The employee must be insurable under the district’s existing vehicle and umbrella liability insurance carrier.
• FDLE AND CJSTC SECURITY CLEARANCE: As mandated by the FDLE, CJSTC, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, this position may be subject to additional security clearances due to access to the law enforcement electronic data.

Note:  Reasonable accommodation considerations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District is a VP, EOE, DFWP employer.

Information about East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District can be viewed at http://www.elfr.org.