Position Summary:

This position is located in Jasper County South Carolina and is part of the Jasper County Emergency Services – Fire Rescue Division. The incumbent spends a preponderance of the time on inspection duties, but also on a regular basis, is assigned to assist Fire Rescue crews during emergency responses, which could include driving emergency apparatus, fighting fires, performing emergency medical treatment, assisting with rescues and/or working as a fire investigator.

Major Duties:

• Planning for and carrying out inspection responsibilities, Inspect buildings, facilities, properties for compliance with the International Fire Code and Local County Code.  Takes a pro-active approach and seeks to develop cooperative relationships throughout Jasper County’s response districts.  Takes action to control or eliminate hazardous conditions and seeks to reduce the risk of fire and other hazards in our county.
• Incumbent inspects all buildings and areas to which they are assigned on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis or as required.
• Incumbent works to eliminate fire and safety hazards and identifies violations of the International Fire Code and Jasper County Code of Ordinances. Where violations are found, educates responsible parties about the hazards, and seeks voluntary compliance. Where voluntary compliance is unattainable, may use approved legal measures to obtain compliance.
• Incumbent prepares reports on all inspections, listing discrepancies found, corrective action taken and recommendations for their elimination.  Completes required reports to the SC State Fire Marshal and the South Carolina Firefighters Association as required.                                               
• Incumbent conducts periodic fire and safety prevention classes, lectures, and demonstrations for County personnel, civic groups, youth groups, churches and other groups wishing to have a fire and life safety presentation during a meeting, training, or social events.
• Will conduct required monthly fire drills in facilities that are required to conduct them by NFPA and SC State Law.  Will conduct fire drills in other commercial structures/buildings as requested by the owner/occupant.
• Will help conduct Fire Extinguisher Training for public and private partnerships. Will also conduct Fire Extinguisher training for organizations wishing to promote fire and life safety during annual events.
• Will conduct basic fire prevention/inspection classes for all JCFR Fire personnel annually.   This will include paid and volunteer personnel.
• Incumbent may be assigned plans review for new construction and renovation of existing buildings making recommendations to ensure compliance with the fire code, county ordinances and state regulations.       
• Incumbents will be required to perform Fire Investigation duties. The incumbent should be familiar with digital photography, evidence collection, legal processes and understand the scientific method.
• The Incumbent may have to work/cooperate with outside agencies, including law enforcement in determining the cause and origin of a fire. May be required to obtain South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy basic law enforcement officer certification of Class 1 or III officer.
• Incumbent may be required to perform Incident Safety Officer Duties at emergencies at the request of the Incident Commander.    
• Provides for the rescue and on-scene care of victims of fire, sudden illness, accidental injury, or other incidents requiring medical attention.  Evaluates situation and personally determines, initiates and maintains medical care for the victims, including performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• The incumbent may be requested to assist with the mitigation of fire, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, incident security, Emergency Management functions as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required:

• Fire and Life Safety Inspector’s develop skills that involve conditions that are not found in any guides or books.  It often requires ingenuity and resourcefulness to work out these problems.   It would be impossible to carry all the guides and material covering inspection work.  The incumbent must study and absorb a great deal of knowledge to be able to effectively carry out their work.
• The incumbent must be able to take various certification test and maintain those certifications.
• One of the incumbents most important requirements is to maintain good public relations to obtain cooperation and voluntary compliance.  As a Fire and Life Safety Inspector they must work with many different individuals and organizations with varying degrees of demographics. The incumbent must be able to work and communicate with these individuals and organizations. The incumbent must also be able to adapt and overcome obstacles to achieve the overall goal of a safe community.
• Minor hazards are corrected at the lowest level possible, but when satisfactory results are not obtained, the matter is escalated with a higher degree of authority, such as the magistrate court or circuit court.
• Incumbents must be thoroughly familiar with the location of various buildings in the district, must have knowledge of building construction, electrical equipment, plumbing, storage procedures, fire suppression system codes, high hazard codes and means of egress codes. (International Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Fire Codes)
• Must understand fire chemistry, fire dynamics and basic fire suppression techniques.
• The employee conducts fire and code inspections of buildings, properties and facilities, and work processes to determine suitability of occupancies to detect fire and safety hazards; to test the reliability of fire protection systems; and to ensure life safety measures are in compliance with requisite statute, regulation and/or adopted codes.
• Reviews proposed building maintenance and improvement (renovation) projects to ensure that appropriate fire protection and safety features are included at the planning state.
• Assist with seasonal fire prevention programs as they are planned and implemented.
• The incumbent controls the record keeping for assigned areas and any special projects as directed.
• The fire and life safety inspector must choose a course of action from a variety of alternative based solutions through the analysis of the deficiencies encountered and published statute, regulation and/or adopted code.  Many of the recommendations made by the incumbent will be controversial in terms of their effect on time, operating requirements, and cost of programs and projects involved.  The inspector is expected to maintain relationship with operating officials and responsible parties to which are controversial and comprehensive in nature and will be referred to the supervisor for final disposition.
• Assignment varies; incumbent must be able flexible to effectively deal with and resolve many issues.
• Works closely with other county departments and divisions, including Planning and Building, Business Licensing, Permitting and Codes and Compliance.
• Participates in fire/arson investigations (evidence collection, photo documentation, interviews, fills out reports, surveillance, court testimony, etc..) conducts follow up investigations.
• Will be required to work during disaster declarations and/or activations of the county emergency operations centers.

Physical Demands:

The fire inspector must have the ability to remain alert, maintain self-control and emotional stability under conditions of stress. The work involves considerable strenuous activity such as walking, climbing ladders, crouching, crawling in restricted areas, confined spaces and lifting. Must be able to lift approximately 50 pounds and may be required to wear firefighting personal protective equipment.

WorkEnvironment:

The work involves exposure to potentially hazardous situations and conditions, including chemicals, smoke, IDLH environments and a wide range of other safety issues. Entrance to hazardous areas is required. Work hours may exceed the normal 40 hours per week; and potentially will occur during nights and or weekends.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED 
• Two years of job related experience preferred, but not required
• Must pass an annual firefighter physical
• Knowledge of computer skills
• Must have a valid drivers license

Application Procedure:

Only applicants submitting a fully completed Jasper County application will be considered.  Please submit documents to the Jasper County Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 150, Ridgeland, SC  29936.  Applications are available on-line by visiting http://www.jaspercountysc.gov or, may be picked up in person at the Jasper County Clementa C. Pinckney Government Building, located at 358 Third Avenue, Ridgeland, SC  29936. APPLICANTS WILL BE DRUG TESTED AND MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS A CRIMIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK. 

Deadline:

February 15, 2023