POSITION INFORMATION DOCUMENT

Transcription

1 (25/01/2008) SOUTH AUSTRALIAN METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE POSITION INFORMATION DOCUMENT Title of Position: FIRE SAFETY ENGINEER Department: Classification Code: PO-3 Discipline Code: Unit: Type of Appointment: PERMANENT Community Safety Job and Person Specification Approval SIGNED 25/01/2008 CHIEF OFFICER (or Delegate) / / JOB SPECIFICATION 1. Summary of the broad purpose of the position, in relation to organisation goals. The Community Safety Department provides services that minimise the frequency and impacts of emergencies through regulation, support and education and develops community resilience by ensuring South Australian buildings are safe places to live and work, identifying risks associated with fire and other emergencies, fostering behaviours that increase community safety and providing timely and accurate information to our staff and the public of South Australia. The broad roles of the Fire Safety Engineer include: * provision of optimum technical expertise within the Department; * ensuring that technical advice and technically related regulatory opinion provided by the Community Safety Department is correct and commensurate with the corporate objectives of the MFS; * the service provided to the Department s clientele is effective and efficient; * applying expertise to the improvement of codes, standards and legislation in relation to building fire safety and effective operational firefighting. 2. Reporting/Working Relationships. The incumbent reports to the Senior Fire Safety Officer and is also required to liaise with Senior Management, Fire Safety Officers, Fire Investigation Officers, Operational Officers and Training Officers.

2 page 2. Department: Community Safety Department Supervisor Reports to: Supervisor s Position: Subject Position: Staff Supervised: District Officer Community Safety Senior Fire Safety Officer Fire Safety Engineer Nil. Other Positions Reporting to the Supervisor: Fire Safety Officers Fire Safety Technician Administrative Staff Technical Assistant Community Safety 3. Special Conditions. The incumbent will be available for reasonable out of hours call outs for which the appropriate Award entitlement will apply. The incumbent may be required to travel intra/interstate and overseas. 4. Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities. FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES * Contribute to an optimum standard of Community Safety for the State s new and existing building infrastructure by: - exercising significant professional judgement in relation to the application of discipline principles and engineering analysis for submissions made by external professionals especially where these rely upon computational fluid dynamics software. - managing very complex projects which involve many external professionals and internal fire officers - ensuring awareness of current developments within the fire safety engineering discipline by providing appropriate and timely correspondence to management and professional journals and attending professional forums and committees. - providing technical training for Fire Safety Officers and clients; - ensuring Fire Safety Officers correctly interpret submissions from building professionals. developers and consultants. - actively participating in committees for codes, standards and legislation that relate to building fire safety. - liaising with fire safety and building professionals, property developers and other consultants. - ensuring that the performance of installed fire safety systems comply with the MFS corporate objectives and Departmental policies by developing test methodologies and supervising or assisting in the testing of those systems. - the development and updating of Community Safety Department Policy documents. - investigating the effects of fire on building elements, systems and occupants. - researching current technological trends, methods and scientific findings in the field of building fire safety, fire safety engineering and risk management. - appraising technical documents for new and existing buildings and structures. - conducting on-site surveys and mentor report writing to Fire Safety Officers.

3 page 3. Department: Community Safety Department 4. Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities. cont FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES cont. * Contribute to the safety and efficiency of operational firefighters by: - researching and reporting in the fire science literature, fire journals and conferences; matters about fire behaviour in buildings; fire brigade operational procedures; building legislation and engineering practice that adversely impacts upon operational firefighters. - collating and distributing information and lecturing on current past and new fire safety systems technology, fire hazards and operational firefighting procedures, to operational firefighters and other professionals disciplines. - ensuring installed firefighting systems that are compatible with the operational procedures used by MFS firefighters. - lecturing to operational personnel and the professional community on matters regarding the performance of different building structures under fire conditions and collapse hazards faced by firefighters. DEPARTMENTAL OUTCOMES * Ensure the provision of a timely, professional and impartial service to the Department s clients by: - maintaining close liaison and communication with Government, industry and the community. - promoting a customer service culture within the Department and maintaining effective liaison with other units within the Fire Service. - responding appropriately to enquiries or complaints by undertaking investigations and preparing reports with recommendations. - providing advice and assistance to staff on operational/technical/report writing problems. * Assist in minimising the MFS exposure to litigation by reviewing the technical accuracy of Department documentation, policies and reports to external clients. * Assist with Departmental resource planning by the submission of reports and advice as required. CORPORATE OUTCOMES * Contribute to the continuous improvement of workplace practices by complying with relevant legislation and internal policies. * Contribute to appropriate security practices and procedures by monitoring physical external and internal environments and ensuring appropriate access for the public during business hours and after hours. * Ensure all activities within the incumbent s designation area of responsibility are performed in accordance with policies relating to intellectual property. * An understanding of the spirit and principles outlined in the Premier's Safety Commitment and the legislative requirements of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, utilising AS/NZS 4360 Risk Management Standard.

4 page 4. Department: Community Safety PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Minimum Requirements. Educational/Vocational Qualifications * Qualification in Mechanical Engineering at Degree level. Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills. * Well developed research and analytical skills. * Engineering software skills. * Keyboard and computer skills. * High level interpersonal skills. * Well developed report writing skills. * Ability to work in team environment requiring commitment to achieving results. * Sound verbal communication skills. Experience. * Experience in: - building fire safety engineering. - fire brigade intervention modelling. - design, supervision and management of buildings construction and services with a particular emphasis on hydraulic design. * Committee experience in the formulation of fire related building legislation, Australian Standards and industry codes of practice. * Experience working with fire dynamic simulator (FDS), e.g. CFAST. * Experience in developing and delivering training packages relevant to the industry. Knowledge. * Knowledge of fire and smoke development and spread within building structures. * Knowledge of building fire and mechanical services system design. * Knowledge of the Building Code of Australia, associated legislation and standards, particularly their history and intended application. * Fire science and fire testing practice. * Government, construction and professional practice in the industry. * Application of computer software in fire engineering design. * An understanding of interstate and international fire engineering/operational firefighting practice.

5 page 5. Department: Community Safety Desirable Characteristics. Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills * Fire scene surveying/recording/reporting. * Draughtsmanship. Experience * Experience working in the Community Safety Department of a recognised fire authority. * Public speaking. * Hydraulic testing and fire systems. * Hot smoke testing. * Teaching in building fire safety and occupant behaviour at time of fire. Knowledge. * Fundamental performance of building structures under fire conditions. * MFS operational firefighting procedures. * Occupant behaviour at time of fire. Educational/Vocational Qualifications. * Institution of Fire Engineers, Society of Fire Protection Engineers or equivalent at member level. * Building Inspector s qualifications. * Certificate IV in Workplace Training.