Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal – Special Operations (00077)

Title: Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal – Special Operations (00077)

State Role Title: Compliance Manager I

Hiring Range: $75,000 - $85,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Fire Programs

Location: Dept of Fire Programs

Agency Website: www.vafire.com

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

About the Agency
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs serves the citizens of the Commonwealth by enhancing public safety through supplemental funding to local governments, providing education, and training to first responders, reducing community risk by providing fire prevention and life safety education, and statewide fire code enforcement.

About the Position
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is seeking a knowledgeable and motivated professional to serve as the Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal – Special Operations.

The Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal will assist in the overall oversight and special event planning of Special Operations Section of the State Fire Marshal’s Office to accomplish routine fire prevention inspections, investigations, disposition of complaints, and construction inspections of State facilities. The Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal serves as a subject matter expert for SFMO field personnel, local fire officials, other customers and stakeholders regarding explosives, fireworks, crowd management, releases of hazardous materials and the reduced cigarette ignition propensity (RCIP) program. The Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal also acts as a subject matter expert for SFMO field personnel, local fire officials and other customers and stakeholders regarding the technical requirements, application, administration and enforcement of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and applicable referenced/related codes, standards, laws, policies and procedures. The incumbent of this position will be responsible for performing duties such as but not limited to providing direct supervision of Deputy State Fire Marshal III’s – Special Operations (DSFMs); working with Assistant Chief State Fire Marshal – Special Operations (ASFM-SO) and CDSFM’s in other regions/divisions to coordinate sharing of resources across the state to accomplish the SFMO mission and complete all program activities in a timely and efficient manner; and provides enforcement and technical assistance to local fire and building officials, building industry professionals (architects, engineers, contractors, tradesmen, etc.), professional industry organizations, and other federal, state and local government officials regarding federal and state fire and building related regulations. The Chief Deputy will be required to actively participate in local and regional fire prevention and explosives industry association events as needed; and participate in the code development process at the state and national level as directed. This position provides assistance to the RCIP program coordinator with oversight of blasting/firework permits, the issuance of blaster/pyrotechnician licenses, and required permit billing; provides direct oversight of ImageTrend & IROL databases, and general technology that improves the SFMO under direction of the ASFM-SO; develops and delivers training programs to external customers including, but not limited to, local fire departments, industry associations, community associations, and schools, and , acts as the first line contact between SFMO and Division of Engineering and Buildings for all construction management matters; and the Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal will review and approve aerial fireworks, proximate pyrotechnics, flame effects, and blasting applications & permits; under direction of the ASFM-SO under direction of the ASFM-SO.

This position has a Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) assignment and is designated as essential personnel. Provides support during an emergency incident either within the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC), in a field assignment or in support of recovery operations. Maintains situational awareness throughout the region / division. Employees may be required to work during emergency situations, such as inclement weather and natural or man-made disasters/events as directed. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may also include duties other than those specified in the employee’s official Employee Work Profile/job description.

Minimum Qualifications

· Comprehensive knowledge of mobile food preparation vehicles, applicable codes and operations.
· Extensive knowledge of NFPA 1124/1126/1123/495.
· Comprehensive knowledge of the release of hazardous materials, applicable codes/standards/operations.
· Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to develop and manage diverse and complex regional programs to provide safety to life and property from fire and associated hazards.
· Comprehensive experience demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities to lead, manage, plan, and supervise a diverse professional staff.
· Comprehensive knowledge of the technical requirements, application, administration and enforcement of federal and state building and fire safety related regulations, state mandates, and legal opinions including: Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), NFPA Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), Virginia Industrialized Building Regulations, the Virginia Public Building Safety Regulations, and referenced model codes and standards.
· Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of building and fire protection system engineering, design, construction, operations, inspection, testing and maintenance.
· Experience demonstrating the ability to conduct complex fire prevention inspections as well as conduct complex inspections of aerial firework shows and for close proximity pyrotechnic events.
· Experience demonstrating the ability to collaborate with a variety of federal and state agencies to plan events.
· Experience demonstrating the ability to research, cross-reference and interpret multiple codes such as the SFPC, USBC, NFPA codes and standards, Code of Federal Regulations, legal opinions and related codes and standards to determine compliance.
· Comprehensive understanding of the relationship and hierarchy between building, fire and other related codes and standards.
· Extensive knowledge of the diverse needs and expectations of complex, and sometimes competing, customer groups and experience demonstrating the ability to negotiate resolution of sensitive issues.
· Experience demonstrating the ability to design and orally present training workshops and technical presentations to allied professional organizations and customers at the local and regional levels.
· Experience demonstrating the ability to research, organize, write and publish technical material, write technical reports of findings, and publish technical material as needed.
· Demonstrated ability to operate a computer and business applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, to track program data, measure performance, produce reports and conduct routine business activities and communication.
· Experience demonstrating the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with diverse local fire and building officials, industry professionals, professional organizations, etc., and possess demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex expectations of competing customers and partner/negotiate resolution of sensitive issues with stakeholders.

Additional Considerations

· Comprehensive knowledge of technology to include application & database management.
· Enforcement experience with NFPA 495/1123/1124/1126.
· Extensive experience with mobile food preparation vehicles and all applicable codes/standards.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Required Licensure / Certification: Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment. Certification as a Fire Official as issued by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD); Certification as a Building Official, as issued by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD); Fire Investigator I & II (IFSAC or Pro Board) and Hazardous Materials Operations (IFSAC or Pro Board), Fire Protection Plans Examiner as issued by Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Criminal History: Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Other: Must be eligible for employment in the State of Virginia and at least 18 years of age. Must be able to pass a federal background check to obtain a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secret security clearance.

State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 pm on the closing date through the Recruitment Management System (RMS). Applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax, or in person will not be considered. Applicants are expected to fully represent qualifications and work history on the State applications and or in resumes. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided in the application, resume, or other relevant documents provided; therefore, it is essential for applicants to supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete state application/resume, or a state application/resume lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS Account to check the status of your application for this position.

The candidate selected for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check. State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet. You may apply for this position at http://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact Ethel White at (804) 249-1992 for assistance. VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Contact Information

Name: Taris Harmon

Phone: 804-292-6482

Email: taris.harmon@dhrm.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.