Fire And Life Safety Specialist (40 Hour)(Hybrid)

Introduction

The State of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is now accepting applications for an exciting Fire And Life Safety Specialist opportunity to perform building code plan reviews and site inspection functions.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Serve in the capacity of the "authority having jurisdiction" representing the State Fire Marshal for resolution of disputed fire and life safety code related matters;
• Determine the legality of architectural and engineering plans of buildings and structures;
• Provide state agencies, local code enforcement officials, architects, engineers, other design professionals, and construction industry representatives with technical assistance in the proper application of code and problem resolution in the design, construction, alteration, or renovation of buildings including the testing of engineered systems;
• Review, analyze, and prepare written recommendations as to the acceptability of requests for modification of the State Fire Safety Code;
• Assist the State Fire Marshal in the revision of the State Fire Safety Code and referenced standards by conducting research and drafting amendments;
• Conduct technical on-site inspections and evaluations regarding complex code issues.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• First shift
• Location: Centrally located at 450 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, CT
• Hybrid position (telework and in office)

WHO WE ARE

DAS is a state agency whose mission is to provide efficient and effective administrative services to state agencies, departments, and other governmental entities. DAS leads procurement, information technology, human resources, and other administrative functions.

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of Connecticut employee!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Fire Marshal this class is accountable for performing as a specialist in assuring proper application of the State Fire Safety Code, adopted referenced national standards and applicable state and federal statutes.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Serves in the capacity of the "authority having jurisdiction", representing the State Fire Marshal for resolution of disputed fire and life safety code related matters;
• Determines the legality of architectural and engineering plans of buildings and structures;
• Provides state agencies, local code enforcement officials, architects, engineers, other design professionals and construction industry representatives with technical assistance in the proper application of code and problem resolution in the design, construction, alteration or renovation of buildings including the testing of engineered systems;
• Reviews, analyzes and prepares written recommendations as to the acceptability of requests for modification of the State Fire Safety Code;
• Assists the State Fire Marshal in the revision of the State Fire Safety Code and referenced standards by conducting research and drafting amendments;
• Conducts technical on-site inspections and evaluations regarding complex code issues;
• Determines the appropriateness of building materials and system components based upon code interpretations;
• Collects and analyzes data at fire scenes for code performance; prepares technical reports;
• Prepares and presents educational training and certification programs mandated by statute to local code enforcement officials, state agencies and professional organizations;
• May lead technical staff by assigning and reviewing daily work, providing on-going training and preparing written evaluations;
• May testify at administrative hearings or in state and federal courts of law;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to interpret and apply building construction standards, fire and life safety codes, adopted referenced national standards, standard tests for construction materials and fire rating and applicable state and federal statutes;
  • and ability to review complex architectural and engineering plans and specifications for large scale building projects including engineered fire and life safety protection systems and concepts;
  • basic engineering and architectural principles, practices and methods of building design and construction;
  • inspection practices;
• Knowledge of
  • building materials and equipment;
  • fire suppression and investigation methods;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • prepare and present technical material for training programs or public speaking engagements;
  • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in fire code compliance plan review and inspection of buildings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in the inspection and review of plans and specifications for fire code compliance on large scale building projects.

NOTE: Large scale building projects are interpreted as buildings exceeding 12,000 square feet in size and more than one story in height not including apartment buildings and single family residences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in architecture, mechanical or civil engineering or related courses in fire technology, fire and life safety systems design or a related discipline may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current Connecticut certification as a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, or Fire Inspector
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying fire and life safety codes
• Experience conducting fire safety and prevention code inspections
• Experience conducting plan reviews and construction inspections for fire code compliance on complex, large-scale buildings
• Experience communicating verbally and in writing to provide guidance to stakeholders, draft reports, and deliver presentations

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class will be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications including certification by the State Fire Marshal as a Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal or Fire Inspector OR to successfully complete the first program offered after appointment.
• Incumbents in this class will be required to complete ninety (90) hours of job related continuing education every three (3) years in accordance with Section 29-298(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as be able to perform the duties.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.