The Planning Director is seeking an individual to perform a variety of routine and complex technical work associated with the inspection and enforcement of established fire and life safety related ordinances, codes and standards. To assist in securing mitigation of fire and life safety related hazards by contacting and coordinating with other local, state and/or federal agencies and/or resources. To serve as a technical resource providing information related to local fire and life safety issues. The principal function of an employee in this position is to enforce city and state fire codes and ordinances.

This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, non-exempt position with excellent full-time benefit offerings. $30.34 to $43.94 per hour. Position is open until filled.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Except as specifically noted, the following functions are considered essential to this position. The listed examples may not include all duties found in this class):

1. Performs visual inspection of buildings and its property to determine if the building complies with all pertinent statutes and regulations.
2. Work will be performed with the specific intent to reduce the risk of fire and maintain a reasonable level of protection of life and property from the hazards created by fire, explosion, and hazardous materials.
3. Performs on-site inspections of businesses, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, places of public assembly, and other occupancies. One- or two-family dwellings inspections may be conducted upon request of the owner or if required. Write reports based on observations and findings.
4. Identifies the need for a permit and how to obtain the permit.
5. Recognizes the need for a plan review and when to send it out to an expert for further review.
6. Identifies the occupancy classification of a single-use occupancy.
7. Computes the allowable occupant load of a single-use occupancy and takes corrective action if over-crowding occurs.
8. Interprets and applies laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies as they relate to fire and life safety inspections and code enforcement duties. Investigates complaints related to fire and life safety codes, making corrective action plans or ordering corrective action.
9. Conducts plan reviews, issues and closes out city permits as required by local ordinance or state law. Prepares reports on inspections, plan reviews, and investigations. (i.e. Fire alarm, automatic sprinkler systems, special hazard suppression systems, cooking suppression systems, and place of assembly permits).
10. Issues stop work orders, correction notices, violation notices and potentially citations as required by the applicable fire and life safety ordinances, codes and standards.
11. Procures, studies and analyzes data concerning local fire and life safety issues. Prepares related reports and makes recommendations to fire and rescue services, other departments and agencies as may be required by law or as assigned.
12. Fairly and consistently interprets codes and authorizes acceptable equivalent means & methods of code compliance within limits of authority and within applicable codes, standards, laws and ordinances.
13. Prepares and maintains all necessary records, photographs, and other materials required by city ordinance or state law, and as assigned.
14. Researches problems and investigates all code compliance complaints and fire/life safety nuisances and/or hazards.
15. Attempts to resolve and/or refers complainant to appropriate staff, department or agency. Recommends the initiation of nuisance or hazard abatement proceedings when appropriate.
16. Attends meetings and is available to explain, interpret and provide guidance regarding inspection standards and procedures to architects, engineers, contractors, developers and other interested parties.
17. May assist in administering the building construction permitting function, including application processing, fee assessment and permit issuance or other functions as a team member.
18. Coordinates activities with other employees, departments or agencies.
19. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, other departments and agencies, and the general public.
20. Operates assigned motor vehicle to travel throughout City in completing field work.
21. Maintains familiarity with and executes safe work procedures associated with assigned work.
22. Participates in legal proceedings and provides testimony or written comments as required.
23. May conduct public education sessions to promote fire prevention and life safety practices in schools, businesses, community groups
24. Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio- visual materials to become and remain current on the principals, practices, and new development in assigned work areas.
25. Performs public and private school inspections and completes fire inspection reports to be submitted as required to the State of NH Fire Marshal’s Office and other applicable agencies.
26. Schedules and performs the required number of public and private school fire drills.
27. Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS: Thorough knowledge of state and local fire and life safety related laws, codes, ordinances, and standards. Working knowledge of general building construction, materials, practices and codes. Awareness of modern firefighting methods as it relates to code enforcement. Knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods, techniques and practices used in fire and life safety inspection and compliance activities. Ability to effectively perform routine and complex inspections of general building construction, as well a fire and life safety systems while applying applicable safety practices. Ability to operate equipment related to fire and life safety inspections and perform environmental sampling related to fire and life safety inspections. Ability to read and interpret code requirements and complicated construction plans and specifications. Ability to effectively communicate and understand complex and detailed information with attention to detail and accuracy both orally and in writing. General knowledge of personal computer hardware and software including familiarity with the use of various software applications including word-processing, electronic spreadsheets and data bases. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the general public. The fire & life safety inspector is required to maintain knowledge of current codes, standards, fire dynamics, and fire protection systems.
EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Minimum High School diploma or equivalent. Associates degree in fire science or related field (preferred). Some inspection experience or any other equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the work. Certifications: Fire Inspector I and Fire Inspector II, within 1 year of employment. CFPE within 2 years or as mutually agreed upon in the conditional job offer.
Must maintain a valid passenger motor vehicle operator license.