Fire Prevention Officer

Why Guelph

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What we offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• Parental leave top up program;
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview

Resumes are being accepted for the position of Fire Prevention Officer within the Guelph Fire Department. Reporting to the Chief Fire Prevention Officer, the successful candidate is responsible for inspecting and conducting fire safety inspections, conducting fire investigations, and coordinating, creating, planning and delivering of public fire life safety education, focusing upon quality customer service and continuous improvement processes. Guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Conduct fire code inspections on all types of new and existing buildings.
• Conduct fire origin and cause investigations as assigned or as part of the on-call system.
• Create detailed personal notes for all inspections and investigations.
• Inputting and recording of all pertinent inspection and investigation data to appropriate system files.
• Investigate and enforce compliance with By-laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
• Collect evidence, obtain statements from witnesses, prepare all required court documentation, affidavits, subpoenas, and summons, and provide service of the same.
• Testify as a witness for the City at court, hearings or appeals.
• Safe and efficient co-ordination, creation, planning, and support of fire life safety education.
• Prepare and present public information sessions to promote fire safety.
• Gather information from public inquiries and direct citizens on proper course of action.
• Participate in fire prevention and public fire and life safety educational programs/courses.
• Follow-up on investigations within the established standards, issue tickets, summons, and lay charges in accordance with the Provincial Offences Act.
• Be responsible to work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and established industry guidelines.
• The successful candidate(s) will be required to successfully complete identified courses in accordance with the Fire Prevention, Promotion to Assistant Chief Fire Prevention and Chief Fire Prevention Program to progress in the division.
• Participate and work in a team environment.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships.
• Commit to lifelong learning, community and personal wellness and continuous improvement.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with the Ontario Health and Safety Act.
• Follow the direction of a senior officer.
• May be required to mentor others how to perform tasks or duties by familiarizing new employees with the work area and processes. Perform other related duties as required.
• Other duties as assigned

Mandatory Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education, Fire Protection Technology, Building Science, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, Criminology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required
• Successful completion/certification in the following, in compliance to O. Reg 343/22 Firefighter Certification:
  • NFPA 1031 – Fire Inspector I and II (Ontario certified), including:
  • OFC Div. B Parts 2 & 6 – Fire Safety and Fire Protection Equipment
  • OFC Div. B Parts 3 & 5 – Outdoor and Indoor Storage & Hazardous Materials: Process and Operations
  • OFC Div. B Part 4 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids
  • OFC Div. B Part 9 – Retrofit
  • Legislation
  • NFPA 472 or 1072 – Hazardous Materials Awareness
  • Courtroom Procedures; and
  • NFPA 1035 – Public Educator I and II.
• Must possess a valid class “G” Ontario Drivers License with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm their licence is held in good standing and that it has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points and/or nature of the infractions to determine if it meets our requirements.

Additional Qualifications

• Considerable experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through two (2) years full-time experience in Fire Prevention within a Municipal Fire Department. Equivalent combination of experience with the duties outlined above and education may be considered.
• NFPA 1033 – Fire Investigator, would be considered an asset.
• NFPA 921 – Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation. Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), meeting NFPA 921, would be considered an asset.
• Ability to participate and work in a team environment with others in the division.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships.
• Must be able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a demanding environment.
• Ability to handle matters of confidential or politically sensitive nature, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Personal Health Information Protection Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Fire Protection and Prevention Act, and relevant legislation and regulations that apply to this work.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to speak clearly, calmly and in an easily understandable manner in person and on the phone.
• Problem solving and decision-making ability.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Interpersonal and customer service skills when dealing with the public, staff, and internal departments, external agencies.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work and positively interact within a diverse work environment.
• Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• The successful candidate must provide and maintain a Criminal Reference Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening check.

Hours of work

Regular hours of work will comprise a forty (40) hour week, based on, four (4) ten (10) hour days, accordance with the Collective Agreement (Article 12.02). Employees shall work Monday to Thursday, or Tuesday to Friday as scheduled by the Employer. The normal hours of work will be 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Must participate in an on-call system on an equal rotational basis of all Fire Prevention members.

Pay/Salary

Guelph Professional Firefighters Association (GPFA): $101,883.60 - $122,260.32 per year