Deputy Fire Marshal II

The Department of Local Services, Permitting Division is excited to announce that it is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Fire Marshal II, signaling an expansion within the Fire Marshal team The primary focus of this position is to independently perform journey level fire protection engineering review and site inspections. Responsibilities include the review of building and land development permits, and the review of fire systems permits to ensure compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes. This includes reviewing construction documents and supporting engineering, interpreting, and applying fire codes and standards, evaluating new materials, conducting formal meetings with clients virtually, in-person and in the field and performing site inspections. 
 
About the Department of Local Services:
King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas.
 
To learn more about the Permitting Division please visit our website at King County Permits.
 
Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering equity, racial and social justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to “True North” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose.  Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.


Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As a Deputy Fire Marshal II, you will:

• Review of fire, building and related permit applications documents to ensure construction and installation proposals meet code requirements for life and safety, including fire, building, mechanical and other applicable codes.         
• Perform field inspections within new and existing construction sites, fire protection systems, hazardous materials, and places of assembly to ensure fire, building, and other life safety requirements are met.  
• Review building and land permits to ensure adequate fire department access and fire flow are provided. 
• Review fire system permits including fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, monitoring systems, and various other fire and life safety systems.   
• Provide direct customer assistance for the public, design professionals, property owners regarding fire and building code questions, their application, and the permit process.   
• Offer alternatives and initiate problem-solving conferences with owners, contractors, and design professionals.   
• Occasionally perform scheduled, after-hours inspections, including weekends, to conduct inspections of events requiring special fire event permits.        
• Interact with multiple fire districts to coordinate on fire safety issues and inspections. 
• Receive and respond to complaints about buildings/construction from citizens, other agencies and jurisdictions, King County Council, and Executive staff.         
• Communicate on the job in ways that reflects well upon King County, the County Executive, the department, and the incumbent.   
• Exhibit and support a culture of superior customer service.   
• Scrupulously honor commitments made to customers and others.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Plans examination or inspection experience or education and experience in Fire Engineering and inspections or related field.
• International Fire Code Certification: Fire Inspector I, II, or Fire Plans Examiner
• Demonstrated experience in the application and interpretation of national, state, and local building and fire codes and standards.
• Knowledge of the permitting process.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience in the review of fire protection system.
• Skill in reading, interpreting, and explaining construction documents, specifications, codes, ordinances, and policies.
• Conducting meetings with builders, professionals, or other customers to review construction, code, or other technical requirements.
• Handle multiple competing priorities and producing quality detailed work within tight timeframes.
• Working effectively and cooperatively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Must work well in a fast-paced, results oriented, team environment with the ability to think quickly and independently.
• Strong communication skills, collaborative working style, and the ability to handle stressful situations in a positive manner.
• Experience with electronic review of construction documents.  

Desired Qualifications:  

• ICC certification as a fire inspector and/or fire plans examiner.
• Engineer or architect license or professional degree. 

Requirements:

• An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.  
• Must be able to lift 20lbs. 
• Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle throughout the county.

Applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15-minute phone interview on July 26, 2024.
 
If selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a virtual interview on August 2, 2024.
 
This recruitment may be used to fill vacancies for up to 6 months, including career service, short-term temporary (STT), term-limited temporary (TLT) and/or special duty assignment (SDA) opportunities for current King County career service employees who have passed their probationary period.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.
 
Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7.00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This full-time position is overtime eligible.
 
Forms and Materials: A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a resume and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.

Selection Process: Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Interviews will be conducted via Teams. Reference checks and file reviews will be conducted.
   
Work Schedule: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7.00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval or This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
 
Emergency Designation Status: This position has been designated as:  
Non-Mission Critical - Employees who staff county functions or services that may be delayed, suspended, or diverted in an emergency while essential functions are prioritized Mission Critical.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
 
Union Membership:  PROTEC17
    
Teleworking Requirement:
This is a hybrid position. The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, field work, onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position may include regular and ongoing in-office work involving in person customer service in accordance with the division's available customer service options.
 
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities.) Employees must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
 
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  
 
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 
 
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
 
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
 
To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
 
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Vivienne Swai, HR Analyst, by email at vswai@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-477-1538.

Salary : $44 - $56