Summary:

Under the direction of the Deputy Fire Chief, the Chief Fire Prevention Officer is responsible for all aspects of fire service delivery and personnel in the Fire Prevention Division. Overall responsibility in directing a broad range of programs and activities to ensure legislative compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, O.Reg 213/07 as amended, associated legislation as applicable including fire prevention, public education, fire investigation, municipal and departmental fire safety initiatives.  Strong leadership skills to support training and direction to divisional staff through risk management analysis and within resource capabilities to provide optimal service delivery to residents and visitors.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, direct, assign, evaluate, and support activities and personnel within the Fire Prevention Division.
• Establish processes, procedures, and directives to enable the consistent enforcement of the Ontario Fire and Building codes and other relevant legislation, codes and standards.
• Conduct research and fire risk assessment including updating and reviewing the Community Risk Assessment to evaluate all Fire Prevention, Public Education and Fire Safety programming and recommending program improvements as applicable.
• Administer and monitor operating budgets in accordance with established policies ensuring that the Fire Prevention Division is operating within budget guidelines and that departmental efficiencies are achieved.
• Prepare various divisional and department reports/correspondence including a yearly strategic operational plan outlining divisional goals and a year-end analysis.
• Ensure that programs and processes are developed, implemented and maintained (i.e. current and accurate records of all buildings, occupancies, and fire prevention activities) to achieve overall divisional goals.
• Coordinate divisional activities within St Catharines Fire & Emergency Management Services, other city departments, provincial ministries and outside agencies.
• Observe, monitor and establish metrics for all aspects of service delivery as applicable to achieve divisional objectives and goals.
• Exercise authority as may be designated from the Chief Fire Official.
• Liaise with Corporate Communications to develop media releases with respect to fire safety or post fire and responds to public inquiries may serve as department representative as assigned. Coordinates overall Social Media Strategy for the department in consultation with Corporate Communications.
• Provide leadership, coaching and guidance to staff to ensure divisional, departmental and organizational goals, objectives and standards are achieved.
• Attend and participate on a variety of committees as assigned.
• Ensure Occupational Health and Safety legislation and St Catharines Fire & Emergency Management Services safety policies are complied with communicated and applied in a consistent fashion with the goal of supporting a healthy and safe workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• Post-secondary education in Fire Protection Technology in the field of fire protection or related discipline.

• Certification in NFPA 1031, Level I, Level II Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner; NFPA 1035 Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist and Youth Firesetter Program Manager Professional Qualifications; NFPA 1033 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator; Investigations and NFPA: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations is considered an asset.

• Ontario Building Code Act certification with focus on Fire Protection.

• Five (5) years of experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity within a municipal Fire Prevention Division preferred.

• Strong working knowledge and experience in the application of the FPPA , Ontario Fire Code including Retrofit and the Ontario Building Code emphasis on Part 3 and 9, and       associated legislation and reference documents including NFPA , ULC and CSA standards as well as all other relevant legislation as applicable.

• Technical knowledge of building construction and fire performance as well as comprehensive knowledge of fire safety and fire protection systems with demonstrated ability to review and approve fire safety plans.

• Ability to manage and coordinate the code enforcement prosecution process.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement work plans and activity schedules.

• Ability to conduct competent fire safety site inspections on a wide range of complex occupancies and capable of conducting post fire investigations in accordance with industry standards.

• Ability to read and interpret a variety of technical materials, building plans and blueprints, codes, and standards.

• Excellent writing skills for general correspondence, technical writing abilities including correspondence for Alternative Solutions and position papers to support divisional and departmental goals.

• Demonstrated attention to detail, analytical, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills.

• Well-developed organizational, interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills.

• Proficient computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software programs.

• Able to respond to emergencies and/or liaise with various fire department staff including Senior Staff on an as needed basis in the event of an emergency.

• Physical ability to conduct inspections and post fire investigations as required.

• A demonstrated commitment to enhancing a safety culture

• Valid Ontario Driver’s licence, Class “G”, with a clean driving record.

 

 Salary $117,367.05 (July 1, 2015 rate)

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 11:59 P.M. ON TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2018 

Applications will be accepted online at http://www.stcatharines.ca/jobs. Please reference the recruitment number 2018-156 in your cover letter. Applications received any other way will not be accepted.

The City of St. Catharines is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Human Resources Division to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.