The Bellevue Fire Department has a long tradition of excellence, as evidenced by our performance in preventing, preparing for, and responding to emergencies; strong public image; and reputation among partners and peers in the region. The Department has passed a rigorous accreditation process by the Center for Public Safety Excellence five times since 1998, making it one of only ten fire departments in Washington State to currently hold this designation. Additionally, we are proud to hold a Class 2 Community Protection Classification as determined by the Washington Survey & Rating Bureau, one of just five such departments in the state.
We are currently seeking an exceptional individual to join our Fire Prevention Division as a Fire Prevention Officer. Depending on the division's needs, responsibilities may include enforcing fire prevention codes and standards in existing structures, reviewing and approving plans and specifications for fire suppression, fire detection, special hazards, high-piled storage, and hazardous materials installations, or inspecting newly constructed buildings and occupancies. You may also be assigned to the Fire Investigation Unit, working to determine the origin and cause of fire events.
The Bellevue Fire Department is particularly interested in candidates with experience in Cause and Origin fire investigations to support our mission of protecting lives and property through excellence in fire prevention and investigation.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Ability to use strong human relations and communications skills.
Enforce fire prevention codes and standards in existing and newly constructed buildings and occupancies.
Serve as a technical consultant on fire and life safety prevention fundamentals to fire suppression forces engaged in company fire prevention programs.
Maintain an oversight role to a geographically defined area of the city with respect to fire loss, fire investigation, fire inspection practices, and public education program delivery.
Investigate the cause and origin of fires.
Supervise activities of fire suppression and back up investigative personnel.
Interview witnesses; write reports and building comprehensive cases for the prosecution of arsonists.
Analyze physical evidence, circumstances, and motive.
Use a variety of tools to move debris and collect evidence at a scene of a fire.
Review technical drawings and plans for conformity with fire codes, city ordinances and fire protection standards.
Qualifications
College-level course work in fire prevention fundamentals.
Word processing and data entry experience.
Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
Organization and detail-orientated skills.
Certified as ICC Fire Inspector I or ability to acquire within 6 months.
Two years of experience as a fire inspector utilizing fire codes.
Fire investigation experience preferred.
Fire and city safety plans review experience preferred.
Must be able to kneel, stoop, climb and lift 30+ pounds.
Ability to work on-call as required.
Valid Washington State Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Must be able to kneel, stoop, climb and lift 30+ pounds
Bellevue is the fifth largest city in Washington, with a population of more than 150,000. It is the high-tech and retail center of the Eastside, with more than 150,000 jobs around the city and a skyline of gleaming high-rises. You can learn a lot about the city from news releases, the It's Your City newsletter and Bellevue Television.
While business booms downtown, much of Bellevue retains a small-town feel, with thriving, woodsy neighborhoods and a vast network of green spaces and recreational facilities that keep people calling the place "a city in a park."? The city's schools are consistently rated among the best in the country.
Sales at local shopping complexes are always an attraction, and arts and crafts fairs one weekend in July draw thousands each year. During the holiday season, the Garden d'Lights display at the Bellevue Botanical Garden attracts visitors from far and wide. Artists from around the country enter striking new works in the annual Bellwether arts fair.
The city spans more than 31 square miles between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, and is a short drive from the Cascade Mountains. People can kayak within sight of downtown in the Mercer Slough Nature Park, a 320-acre wetland preserve.