SUMMARY: Responsible for performing professional engineering activities in support of private development projects. Duties include reviewing the plans for and inspecting the construction of projects to ensure they meet City standards. Work requires limited supervision and the use of independent judgment and discretion.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Reviews, evaluates and approves building plans and specifications, construction drawings, fire protection system designs, and chemical, gas and flammable liquids installations.
• Review designs of fire protection systems for buildings and industrial complexes including automatic suppression or fire alarm systems.
• Inspect the installation of fire protection systems including automatic suppression or fire alarm systems.
• Ensures compliance with applicable fire codes.
• Responds to citizen and stakeholder inquiries and concerns.
• Identifies, researches and provides potential solutions to complex construction issues.
• Gathers and analyzes data in order to respond to complaints from citizens. Makes recommendations for solutions based on research findings.
• Provides training to city staff on the installation, inspection, and testing of fire protection systems, application of the Fire Code, new fire protection technology and new fire protection requirements.
• Evaluates new building materials, industrial processes and special hazards; and establishes safeguards to ensure reasonable levels of safety and property protection.
• Participates in amending, interpreting, and implementing City ordinances and policies to improve and provide a reasonable degree of safety in response to the changing market demands in development.
• Participates in/on a variety of meetings, committees, and/or task forces to provide expert level technical engineering advice and information based on assigned area of responsibility. Provides expertise by analyzing, reviewing, and critiquing development projects and plans.
• Provide site reviews for fire protection requirements for architects, engineers, project developers, owners/managers, contractors and city staff to expedite permit approval for construction projects.
• Creates, updates, and maintains numerous reference materials, manuals, and brochures, which may also include forms, checklists, plats, board packets, reports, and/or other related information.
• Provides administrative technical assistance to applicable Boards.
• Prepare analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of fire protection systems.

• Operational characteristics of various fire protection apparatus and equipment.

• Operational characteristics of fire alarm, access control and special hazard systems.

• Theories, principles and practices of fire engineering.

• Principles and practices of modern fire prevention and inspection.

• Methods and techniques of construction plan evaluation.

• Properties of various flammable, combustible and hazardous materials.

• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations governing buildings and fire inspections.

• Firefighting operations and tactics.

• Skill in:

• Technical writing.

• Organization and time management.

• Interpersonal relations.

• Computer assisted engineering and design software and equipment.

• Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Review, evaluate and approve building plans and specifications, construction drawings and fire protection system designs.

• Analyze and assess fire safety and evacuation procedures for buildings.

• Perform field inspections and testing of buildings and fire protection systems.

• Establish safeguards to ensure reasonable levels of safety and property protection.

• Provide technical assistance to Incident Commanders following major fires, building collapses and other emergency incidents.

• Apply codes, standards and sound engineering to projects of varying complexity.

• Resolve construction issues per the fire and building codes as applicable.

• Ensure fire protection system and building construction compliance with applicable fire and building codes.

• Read and interpret building plans.

• Conduct code research.

• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.

• Prepare clear and concise reports.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships, providing technical direction support, and information to other specialists, engineers, designers, and drafters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire protection engineering or a related field
• Increased responsibility in fire protection engineering.
• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) within two years of employment, OR

• Professional Engineering (PE) License or ability to obtain PE License in the State of Texas within one year of employment.
   

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must pass pre-employment drug test.
• Must pass criminal history check.
• Must pass motor vehicle records check.