• Job ID: 45361
• Job Category: Audit, Compliance & Inspections
• Division & Section: Corporate Real Estate Management, FM Fire & Life Safety Program Office
• Work Location: 35 Spadina Road
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, 2 Permanent Vacancies
• Salary: $86,716 to $112,255
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 2
• Posting Period: 04-Apr-2024 to 18-Apr-2024

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Fire & Life Safety Standards & Education Manager, the Fire Safety Officer is responsible to provide expertise and consultative services to the corporation in all matters related to Fire & Life Safety. To create, publish and maintain 800+ fire safety plans for City owned and operated facilities in compliance with the Ontario Fire Code. To identify, track and record violations and violators. To rectify Fire Code deficiencies and violations and enact all Directives issued by the Ontario Fire Marshall.

Major Responsibilities:

• Publishes & maintains Fire Safety Plans and/or evacuation plans for each City owned or occupied facility.
• Implements detailed plans and recommends policies/procedures regarding program specific requirements.
• Conducts research into assigned area ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
• Provides input into and administers assigned budget, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Provides all levels of staff expert level advice, guidance and consultation in all areas of Fire & Life Safety. Acts as the division lead in the implementation of corporate Fire & Life Safety initiatives in the areas of policies, procedures and programs.
• Leads and conducts comprehensive inspections on a risk based priority of all City owned and operated facilities to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code (OBC), Ontario Fire Code (OFC), National Fire Code of Canada (NFC), Municipal By-Laws, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada Standards (ULC), Canadian Standards Association Standards (CSA), National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA) and Ontario Electrical Code.
• Identifies violations of the Ontario Fire Code with the exception of Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of fire protection equipment.
• Participates in staff investigations when required. Determines severity of the violation based on risk and potential exposure. Makes effective recommendations with respect to disciplinary action.
• Rectifies Fire Code deficiencies and violations and fire safety hazards identified through the comprehensive inspections utilizing a combination of internal resources, contracted services and site manager/supervisor.
• Institutes and enacts all Directives issued by the Ontario Fire Marshall where applicable.
• Conducts comprehensive reviews of building plans, blueprints, installation guides and specifications to ensure code compliance.
• Develops and maintains a multi-year capital improvement plan.
• Assumes the role of 'Building Owner' during commissioning of fire protection systems in new construction/major renovations. Conducts independent verification and validation of the performance of the fire protection systems before the final handover inspection.
• Investigates fires in City owned facilities, in partnership with other agencies, to determine root causes, evaluation of fire and life safety systems performance, prepare reports and maintain statistics for fire incidents.
• Assesses needs for emergency equipment. Researches and as the subject matter expert makes recommendations for the procurement of new equipment. Tests, modifies an implements new equipment and updates Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) and procedures accordingly.
• Exercises all powers and owner responsibilities as prescribed in the Ontario Fire Code, and implemented in accordance with the City's Master Fire Program.
• Develops and reviews plans for new facilities and major renovations to ensure fire prevention and fire protection best practices are incorporated.
• Develops specifications and requirements for upgrades to existing facilities based on applicable codes,
• Provides interpretation of various codes and standards to management and staff.
• Prepares reports and maintains records detailing information about the property, violations observed and actions to be taken.
• Conducts and coordinates loss prevention property audits with the Insurance Underwriter and reports findings and recommendations to appropriate management.
• Leads the reviews and approves annual deficiencies repairs and conducts site reviews as necessary to ensure work has been carried out as specified.
• Validates quality and completeness of contracted work and approves payments to vendors.
• Supervises assigned staff and manages minor capital projects, utilizes internal trades and external contractors as required.

Key Qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education in the fire protection engineering technology or the equivalent combination of education and considerable experience.
2. Considerable experience reading, applying and interpreting the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Ontario Fire Code, Building Code Act, Ontario Building Code, OFM Technical and Public Fire Safety Guidelines and related standards & legislation.
3. Considerable experience conducting building and property inspections.
4. Considerable experience using AutoCAD 2D to create and edit AutoCAD drawings electronically.
5. Experience in the installation and/or maintenance/design of sprinkler, fire alarm, clean agent and other fire protection systems and equipment.
6. Considerable experience in reading blueprints, installation guides and technical documents with the ability to identify best practices and engineer out risk.
7. Experience conducting detailed and/or non-structured research or analysis, preparing reports, briefing notes, fact sheets, Q&A's with the demonstrated ability to write and present complex information to a variety of audiences.
8. Experience with a variety of software packages including MS Office (i.e. Word, Excel, Access, Visio and PowerPoint, MS Project) and purchasing software systems, i.e. SAP – purchasing module, etc.
9. Must possess strong mechanical aptitude.
10. Must possess a valid Ontario Driver's License Class "G" and meet the requirements necessary to receive a City Equipment Operator's License
11. Highly developed in notetaking and the preparation of reports, correspondence and record maintenance.
12. Able to walk long distances, wear person protection equipment (including but not limited to vest, hard hat, safety glasses, respirators), climb ladders/scaffolding while conducting inspection in different environments, including post fire.
13. Knowledge and understanding of construction and maintenance practices and terminology of building structures, life safety and mechanical systems.
14. Knowledgeable of the safe storage and handling practices for flammable liquids and gases.
15. Strong customer focus and the ability to foster and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, utilizing initiative to devise innovative, best practices, customer service solutions.
16. Highly developed communication skills (verbal, written and presentation), negotiation and interpersonal skills and the ability to work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary team or independently.
17. Advanced problem solving, conflict resolution, time management and prioritization skills, including planning, organizing and coordinating projects and assigned tasks.
18. Keeping abreast of technical and legislative changes and developments as they apply to the fire prevention function at the City by participating in external professional organizations and groups.
19. Demonstrated analytical skills in managing, maintaining, assessing and reviewing data, standards and services to identify best practices, establish KPI's and opportunities for improvements in service delivery.
20. The following certifications are considered assets: NFPA 1031 (Ontario AHJ), NFPA 1035, BCIN (Fire Protection and General Legal), Fire Alarm Technician Qualification from CFAA, Sprinkler & Fire Protection Installer Qualification from Ontario College of Trades.

Note To Current City of Toronto Employees

City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity .

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request . Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process .