Fire Protection Engineer

JOB INFORMATION Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 7:30 a.
m.
– 4:30 p.
m.
; full-benefits This position is responsible for performing complex professional and administrative work to ensure compliance with fire protection engineering principles and practices with laws and regulations including the Frederick County Fire Prevention Code, the Annotated Code of Maryland and other applicable code.
Direction may be given to plan review and inspection staff.
Supervision is received from the Manager of the Office of Life Safety and Plan Review Services and the Director of Permits & Inspections.
Frederick County Government recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.
If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees.
The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan).
This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan Vesting after 10 years of service Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.
For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Enforce County Fire Prevention Code and Building Code regulations by reviewing and evaluating construction documents and plans Review plans and specifications of buildings, fire protection systems and equipment in accordance with local and State fire codes and in accordance with NFPA standards and requirements Perform complex technical reviews of building plans for Life Safety Code compliance, sprinkler system plans and associated hydraulic calculations, gaseous and mist fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke control systems and others As needed, perform on-site inspections at in-progress construction sites to verify full compliance with life safety and building code requirements; review site plans and building construction plans to determine compliance with applicable life safety and building codes including NFPA 1, 101,13, 13D, 13R, 72, 96 and others.
Perform plan review and provide comments by using the County’s electronic plan review software including Infor and ProjectDox Participate in training sessions related to life safety and building issues to keep abreast of current practices Compile and prepare formal inspection reports, memos, letters and other technical documents Review and utilize applicable codes, ordinances and other recognized standards Assist and interact with architects, engineers, developers, contractors, building owners, tenants and the general public Perform other related duties as required To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties section, each employee in this classification may perform the following other duties.
Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions 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.
Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Protection Engineering or a closely related field with significant course work in fire protection engineering Minimum 5 years of work experience in the design or review of fire protection Minimum 2 years of supervisory work experience enforcing NFPA standards and fire safety regulations Possession of the ICC Building Plans Examiner certification issued by International Code Council (ICC), or the ability to obtain this certification within 24 months after hire National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or a comparable certification body, or ability to successfully obtain these certifications within the time specified and to maintain them thereafter: - NFPA Certified Fire Inspector I (CFI -1) - within 12 months after hire; - NFPA Certified Fire Inspector II (CFI -2) - within 24 months after hire; - NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist – within 12 months after hire; - NFPA Certified Fire Plans Examiner (CFPE) – within 24 months after hire Possession of a valid automobile operator's license KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES: Ability to obtain and maintain a Frederick County Employee Driving Permit Extensive knowledge enforcing life safety codes and ordinances including NFPA 1, 101, 13, 13D, 13R, 72, 96 and others with the ability to effectively interpret and apply appropriate regulations Working knowledge of building construction materials and methods Ability to effectively read and interpret architectural drawings, plans, specifications and site plans quickly and accurately, compare them to construction in process and perform building plan reviews Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports, investigative findings, correspondence, etc.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships demonstrating tact and diplomacy in all situations with co-workers, contractors, other business professionals and the general public PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS: While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit; and rarely walk, climb, stoop, lift up to 20 pounds, reach, perform repetitive motions and drive While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; and rarely work outdoors and walk on uneven ground ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS Available for varied working hours as needed EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include): 1) An evaluation of training and experience 2) A written and/or performance examination 3) One or more interviews 4) A pre-employment physical examination and drug test This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Retirement Plan:A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees.
Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification.
The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit.
Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement.
Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.
Health Insurance:County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs.
The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions.
Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.
Dental Insurance: Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan.
Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee.
Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts:The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses).
Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.
Life Insurance:Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death.
Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage.
A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees.
The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.
Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:The County offers a Section 457 Plan.
Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account.
Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan.
Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc.
at any time.
Educational Reimbursement Program:County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution.
The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses.
If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books.
If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.
Employee Assistance Program:This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.
LeaveAnnual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period.
Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year0 – 2 years 11 days2 – 10 years 17 days10 + years 24 daysSick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.
Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law.
There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated.
Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.
NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.
Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.
Holidays:The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.