POSITION: Deputy Fire Marshal

Fire Department

RANGE & RATE: Schedule WA00 Range 13

Starting Salary: $40.895/hour - $79,745/year

37.5-hour workweek

SUMMARY:

This is a very responsible fire prevention and code enforcement position including the

preparation and delivery of firefighter training, the inspection of buildings, the investigation of

fires for origin and cause, and the administration of fire prevention programs. Deputy Fire

Marshals are an important part of the daytime fire suppression response in the Township and are

required to respond to all fires while on duty.

Work involves responsibility for assisting in the enforcement of all local fire safety regulations

and developing and implementing Fire Department training programs. Duties include inspecting

buildings, investigating fire origins, reviewing development and construction plans, and

administering fire safety code requirements. This position also has the responsibility for making

difficult fire safety code enforcement decisions and fire origin determinations. This work

requires that the employee have considerable knowledge, skill and ability in fire safety code

inspection procedures and all state fire safety regulations.

This position is expected to engage in and support the firefighting operations for Lower Merion

Township.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Chief Fire Officer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Inspects public buildings, schools, businesses and apartment buildings to determine the presence

of fire hazards and the adequacy of fire detection and fire protection equipment. Identifies and

enforces corrections to be made which may include the closing of structures, at the direction of

the Chief Fire Officer/Fire Marshal.

PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Reviews construction, development, renovation plans and specifications for conformance with

state fire safety codes. Confers with developers, contractors and building owners on corrective

actions to be taken.

Inspects plants and facilities to determine the adequacy of safety procedures used in the

transportation, storage and use of flammables and other hazardous materials.

Investigates assigned fires and explosions occurring within the Township. Gives testimony and

provides expert testimony when requested.

Assists in regulating the use of hazardous materials in the Township. Reviews permit

applications for the use, transportation and storage of explosives. Inspects vehicles garaged in

the Township that transport flammable and combustible liquids.

Assists in coordinating fire safety programs and activities. Conducts public fire education

programs in schools and community groups. Investigates complaints. Supervises fire drills.

Develops and arranges specific training sessions for the volunteer fire companies. Develops

training bulletins. Schedules training at fire stations, the Drill Tower or the County Fire

Academy. Maintains training records. Performs annual pump testing.

Supports firefighting operations during on-duty hours. Responds to fires on an on-call schedule

during non-duty hours to assist in suppression activities and conduct fire investigations.

Assists in maintaining comprehensive records of fire safety code enforcement activities.

Prepares correspondence and reports, including reports on investigations and enforcement action.

Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A high school diploma or the equivalent, plus five years of progressively responsible fire

suppression experience is required.

Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration, Fire Science or related field is preferred.

Residence within ten (10) road miles of the Township borders is preferred.

Considerable knowledge and experience including at least some code enforcement experience,

Fire Company training or training as a fire officer.

Must have a valid class C driver's license.

PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Must be a certified Fire Instructor by both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Montgomery

County, Pennsylvania or have the ability to obtain the required certifications within 1 year of

employment.

Must have the International Code Council Fire Inspector I certification as required by the

Uniform Construction Code or have the ability to obtain this required certification within 6

months of employment.

Must have ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, and IS 800 ICS/NIMS certifications.

Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Knowledge of the Emergency Reporting Software Program and its functions are preferred.

Considerable knowledge of building construction as it relates to fire safety.

Considerable knowledge of code enforcement and inspection principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge of local, state and national fire safety codes and regulations.

Considerable knowledge of fire training principles and practices.

Considerable skill in oral and written communications.

Considerable skill in origin and fire cause determination.

Considerable ability to inspect buildings and facilities for fire code violations and to enforce the

codes with firmness and tact.

Considerable ability to conduct modern and effective Fire Department training in a wide range of

relevant subject areas.

Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors,

co-workers, developers, contractors, consultants, other governmental agencies, property owners

and the general public.

Good ability to administer a fire safety code enforcement program and to prepare required

reports.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to pass an NFPA 1582 compliant firefighter physical.

Ability to stand for a minimum of 4 up to 8 hours, walk for a minimum of 4 up to 8 hours, sit for

a minimum of 2 hours and drive a minimum of 2 hours.

PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ability to bend, stoop, squat, crawl, crouch, kneel and lift up to 68% of the workday.

Ability to climb, push and pull and reach above shoulder level up to 35% of the workday.

Ability to lift up to 10 pounds of tools, equipment and materials up to 100% of the workday.

Ability to lift up to 100 pounds of tools, equipment and materials up to 35% of the workday.

Ability to use both the right and left foot to operate foot controls of vehicles.

Ability to use both the right and left hand for firm grasping.

Ability to perform job functions using safety precautions on unprotected heights and work

around moving machinery.

Ability to drive automotive equipment.

Ability to perform job functions in all types of weather and temperatures.

Ability to perform job functions using safety precautions where environmental conditions may

be challenging.

Ability to perform job functions while wearing firefighting gear and SCBA.

Ability to perform job functions in darkened buildings and confined spaces.

Ability to maneuver across uneven and debris filled areas.

Ability to raise, climb and work on ladders using safety precautions.

SELECTION: Based on education, work experience, merit, training, employee

record, testing and interview.

HOW TO APPLY: Employment applications can be downloaded from

www.lowermerion.org – job opportunities.

Send application to: Human Resources Department

75 E. Lancaster Avenue, 2nd Floor

Ardmore, PA 19003
Or email: humanresources@lowermerion.org

PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER