Fire Safety Inspector:  This position will work in the area of LIFE and FIRE SAFETY, new and existing acceptance testing of Fire Protection Systems and Certificate of Occupancy Inspections through the use of adopted national and state codes as adopted by County Ordinance and enforced through the Counties Special Master process.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening

This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five years.

 Duties:

• To conduct fire and life safety inspections of existing commercial and multi-family occupancies to insure compliance with fire and life safety codes within the jurisdictional area of  the Sarasota County Fire Department for life and fire safety. To include the enforcement of current NFPA 101 Life Safety Codes, standard for fire code and the rules of  the State Fire Marshal; as adopted by the State of  Florida and the County of  Sarasota, enforceable through the County’s Special Master process; as provided by County Ordinance.  Responsible for the surveying of businesses and commercial structures for the identification of hazardous materials; communicating information to the hazardous materials coordinator of the department for pre-fire incident planning.  In addition, once identified, to ensure the handling, storage and processing of flammable, combustible and hazardous materials, meets all Fire & Life Safety measures as applicable through manufacturers’ recommendations, model codes and standards.  To inspect, test and accept all Fire Protection Systems as installed within the existing and new structures of the jurisdictional area and to conduct in conjunction with the other enforcement branches of the County in the release and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy Inspections.  Shall assist other County Departments and appropriate authorities as required and/or to report any discrepancies in model codes, standards and ordinances as adopted by Sarasota County to said authorities.  Shall provide to those areas of the County outside of the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire Department, through cooperation with the County Building & Standards, acceptance review, inspections and testing of new installations of Fire Protection and Suppression Systems in existing structures; as well as compliance to all applicable Fire and Life Safety codes and standards.
• To process all record-keeping, data files, forms and written communications into appropriate business occupancy files, as well as to the coordinators of the Department’s Hazardous Materials Team, County Planner, Hazardous Waste Section and other County Departments and agencies as it applies.
• To communicate with the General Public, and follow-up on citizen inquiries and/or complaints, as well as perform Fire Safety Awareness Programs within the business community in their assigned inspection district.

Minimum Qualifications:  A High School Diploma or equivalent required. A current Florida Fire Safety Inspector certificate issued by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. Valid Florida Driver's License at time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:  An Associate's Degree in the area of Fire Science or Fire Administration preferred or related year-for-year experience as described above with advanced classes in Fire Science, Hazardous Materials or Inspections, Minimum Standards Certification/Training helpful, but not required.

Job Competencies:  Ability and the willingness to learn skills. Must be able to develop good written and verbal communication skills as well as have the ability to read technical data, reports and code manuals. Basic knowledge of software applications including word processing programs email communication software, internet searches and the use of office equipment.

 Sarasota County Government is committed to wellness and successful applicants must be tobacco free for twelve months preceding date of application.

Drug Free Work Environment             EOE/AA/ADA