Fire and Life Safety Officer (Health Facilities Construction) Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 4, 1993

Scope

This series specification describes three classes used in the Fire and Life Safety Program of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). Incumbents in the series ensure that all new construction of health facilities in California comply with the fire and life safety requirements of Titles 19 and 24, California Code of Regulations, and other related codes and regulations.

The scope of activities include the review of construction plans and specifications, survey of fires that occur at health facilities, and the inspection of construction in progress.

Definition of Series

Incumbents in this series act as final plan checker for architectural and engineering review of fire and life safety compliance and personally resolve the most difficult fire and life safety problems encountered during plan and specification reviews; provide consultation and technical advice in the area of fire and life safety to architects, engineers and inspection staff on fire protection appliances and systems, materials, design and construction of health facilities; advise the professional and lay public relative to fire and life safety laws and regulations governing the design and construction of health facilities; write technical reports and correspondence; assist local fire and building authorities in the application and enforcement of State laws, regulations, rules, and policies relating to fire prevention and life safety; cooperate with other public agencies on mutual problems relating to fire and life safety; attend preconstruction conferences; visit construction sites to oversee construction progress and quality of inspection on fire and life safety issues; submit periodic construction reports which identify progress and problems as they relate to fire and life safety building standards; attend formal inspections of completed work; act as a lead person and train new fire and life safety field staff on plan review, inspection work and�enforcement; provide training to OSHPD architectural, engineering and construction inspection staff; and conduct informal hearings and prepare cases for court.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level, variety and complexity of work; independence of action and decision- making authority; degree and level of supervision received; degree and level of technical, training and supervisory responsibilities exercised, and extent of consequence of error.

Definition of Levels

Fire and Life Safety Officer I (Health Facilities Construction)

This is the first working level. Under lead direction of a Fire and Life Safety Officer II (Health Facilities Construction), incumbents within an assigned geographical area are responsible for enforcing fire and life safety regulations and standards as contained in Titles 19 and 24 of the California Code of Regulations; performing inspection work of average difficulty; reviewing plans and specifications for fire and life safety compliance; and advising project participants on construction methods, techniques and materials, and code related matters.

Fire and Life Safety Officer II (Health Facilities Construction)

This is the full professional journey level. Under general direction, incumbents work in one of two settings: (1) Field assignment within an assigned geographical area independently enforcing fire and life safety codes, regulations and standards as contained in Titles 19 and 24 of the California Code of Regulations; monitoring the work of private sector certified resident inspectors and advising project personnel on fire protection appliances and systems, construction methods, techniques and materials as it pertains to fire and life safety and the operation of these systems. (2) In an office setting performing final plan review for fire and life safety compliance and personally resolving the most difficult fire and life safety problems encountered during plan and specification review. Incumbents in both settings enforce fire and life safety building regulations and standards as contained in Titles�19 and 24 of the California Code of Regulations; conduct surveys of fires; and advise building owners on alternate means of protection.

Incumbents in this class provide consultation and technical assistance to OSHPD plan review and field inspection staff on fire and life safety building�standards. Incumbents may act as leadperson for Fire and Life Safety Officer I staff.

Chief Fire and Life Safety Officer (Health Facilities Construction)

Incumbent is responsible for managing the OSHPD Fire and Life Safety Program; supervising the office and field inspection staff; planning, organizing and coordinating the total Fire and Life Safety Program including budgeting, training, staffing, developing policy and regulations, and representing the Office in court hearings, legislative committees and appeals.

Minimum Qualifications

Fire and Life Safety Officer I (Health Facilities Construction)

Experience: Two years of experience performing full-time plan review and/or technical inspection or supervision of general construction projects for fire and life safety compliance in a public or private fire prevention agency. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college with a major in fire service administration, fire protection administration and technology, engineering, chemistry, physics, or architecture. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.)

Fire and Life Safety Officer II (Health Facilities Construction)

Either I

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Fire and Life Safety Officer I (Health Facilities Construction).

Or II

Experience: Four years of experience performing full-time plan review and/or technical inspection or supervision of general construction projects for fire and life safety compliance in a public or private fire prevention agency. At least two years of the qualifying experience must have involved the construction of health facilities projects. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college with a major in fire service administration, fire protection administration and technology, engineering, chemistry, physics or architecture. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.)

Chief Fire and Life Safety Officer (Health Facilities Construction)

Either I

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Fire and Life Safety Officer II (Health Facilities Construction).

Or II

Experience: Broad and extensive experience (more than five years) involving supervision of fire and life safety inspectors and/or plan reviewers, at least two years of which shall have been in a high level supervisory, administrative or executive capacity in a public or private fire prevention agency. At least two years of the qualifying experience must have involved the construction of health facilities projects. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college with a major in fire service administration, fire protection administration and technology, engineering, chemistry, physics or architecture. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Fire and Life Safety Officer I (Health Facilities Construction)

Knowledge of: Plan review code applications; general building code applications; fire protection equipment and systems; exiting systems; mechanical and electrical systems and components; standards and methods of construction; construction documents and reports; methods of conducting building construction inspections; Titles 19 and 24, California Code of Regulations; Fire Protection and Prevention standards established by nationally recognized agencies such as the National Fire Protection Association.

Ability to: Analyze situations accurately, reason logically and take effective action; inspect facilities for fire and life safety compliance; establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted in the work; prepare clear and comprehensive status reports and correspondence; give oral presentations; provide clarification and guidance regarding the application of codes, regulations, and laws.

Fire and Life Safety Officer II (Health Facilities Construction)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and medical gas systems and components; building seismic components and installations; elevators and related components; emergency generating equipment; building emergency planning and signing; construction and operation of fire protection appliances and systems used in buildings; plan review techniques; construction and inspection of health facilities.

Ability to: All of the above, and train lower level staff; conduct survey of fires; analyze alternate means of protection.

Chief Fire and Life Safety Officer (Health Facilities Construction)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of effective supervision; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize and direct a professional technical staff operating a complex statewide program using advanced principles of management and possessing expert knowledge of all fire and life safety building standards pertaining to the construction of health facilities in California; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

Willingness to travel and work throughout the State; reliability; tact; and keenness of observation; good memory for details; physical stamina necessary to perform the duties of the position; possession of a valid driver license and good driving record.

Class History