Deputy Fire Marshal

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This is skilled inspectional work in securing and maintaining compliance with municipal fire codes governing the construction alteration and repair of buildings and building appurtenances. The work also involves responsibility in all phases of fire prevention activity such as inspections public education public relations pre-planning hazardous materials inspections and the training of private fire brigades. Additionally this position oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fire Prevention Bureau members.

BUFFALO GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT-FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
The Fire Departments Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) has the responsibility and authority to enter investigate and perform routine fire inspections of all buildings structures and properties in the Village of Buffalo Grove except for owner-occupied residential structures. It is the responsibility of the Fire Prevention Bureau to enforce the Illinois Life Safety Code International Fire Code International Building Code local adopted codes and amendments and other local fire safety regulations. This includes the inspection of all Life Hazard Use Properties such as gas stations schools nursing homes daycare facilities auto repair/auto body shops places of assembly and large retail operations and the inspection of all Non-Life Hazard businesses offices and multi-family residences and other structures.
The FPB has historically maintained a strong focus on public education by conducting an open house and participating in Buffalo Grove Days as well as other Village wide addition to these large programs the members of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department conducted school drills and attended many block parties and special events throughout the year. The Fire Prevention Bureau also regularly operates a smoke trailer at local elementary schools which simulates fire conditions to educate grade school students on fire prevention and escape.
The FPB is responsible for enforcing state and local building codes through the inspection of commercial industrial mercantile multi-family and other occupancy type buildings. This team regularly assesses risk levels for different businesses and bases its inspection frequencies on the fire risk level and life safety issues present within each building. Through the hard work of a full-time Fire Marshal part-time inspector and part-time inspector/public education officer. Moreover in 2024 the inspectors completed 1736 inspections including in all 13 schools in the Village and all day-care and group homes.

The Village has approximately 2000 occupancies that require/receive inspections including:

• 13 Schools
• 1 public high school
• 4 public middle/junior high schools
• 8 public elementary schools
• 1 private K-8 school
• 10 Daycare facilities
• 5 private schools/academies
• 5 Group homes
• 275 Multi-Family Residential Buildings
• 3 Nursing/Skilled Care Facilitates
• Multiple industrial office and commercial buildings
• Multiple hazardous occupancies including pools chemical manufacturer/storage and public works/infrastructure facilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Employees of this class work independently on field inspections and must make decisions requiring independent judgment; however technical advice and assistance is available from superiors on difficult or unusual cases. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general supervision of the Fire Chief. Work is reviewed through observation conference and reports for results obtained.

Qualifications and experience determined to be significant for the position of Deputy Fire Marshal include the following:

• Makes inspections of buildings throughout construction alteration and repair; makes inspections of public and private buildings to enforce fire codes; works with the owner/occupant to achieve compliance to applicable codes; performs tank tests.
• Instructs the public in the fire prevention codes use of suppression equipment and alarm systems; and false alarms to determine origin; prepares evidence for legal actions.
• Acts as a public relations person for the fire department; investigates complaints; answers public inquiries regarding fire codes and general fire-related matters.
• Records and updates fire inspection files; coordinates activities with other Village Departments; performs staff functions at major fires and incidents at the request of the incident commander.
• Use technology and electronic records management systems to enter and track fire prevention activities.
• Works collaboratively and effectively communicates within the fire department and with other village departments to convey information on dangers hazards and building and remodeling activities.
• Provides regular reports to fire department staff relating to dangerous conditions building progress and remodeling activities within the response area.
• Works to monitor and resolve issues with the NWCD alarm listing.
• Represents the fire department at various fire prevention committee meetings and activities.
• Performs related work as required.

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. required; Associates degree required bachelors preferred in a fire science or closely related field.
• Illinois OSFM Basic Fire Prevention Officer (or equivalent) required advanced fire prevention officer (or equivalent) preferred.
• Knowledge of the use of technology and software programs for records management and inspection reporting.
• Experience in a similar sized organization
• Considerable experience in the building trades and/or firefighting required.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of fire prevention methods and of Village and State ordinances pertaining to fire prevention.
• Skill in fire code research.
• Skill in reasoning and interpretations.
• Skill in use of computer hardware and applicable computer software.
• Skill in communication interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers supervisor the public etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Follows safety policies and procedures.
• Reports all unsafe conditions and acts to supervisor.
• Reports all accidents to supervisor immediately
• Follows recognized safe work practices.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The starting salary for this position is $75291.84 (pay plan step 297) based on 2080 annual hours. Full time employees are enrolled into the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Full time employees may select between several offered benefits including medical insurance plans including dental and vision programs. Dental Vision and basic life insurance are 100% paid by the Village. Full time employees are provided a full suite of PTO including Vacation Holiday Sick Comp etc. (some forms of PTO are earned/accrued and may be prorated during your first partial year of service).

Questions should be directed to Shawn Collins (Deputy Fire Chief) at . Qualified candidates should apply online addition to completing the on-line application candidates must attach a cover letter and resume to their on-line application. Emailed faxed mailed or hand delivered applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER