JOB INFORMATION

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. full-benefits

This technical position will apply and implement building, accessibility, fire and life safety codes, and other applicable codes and standards. Direction may be given to plan review and inspection staff; Supervision is received from the Manager of the Office of Life Safety and Plan Review Services.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Enforce County and State Fire Code and Building Code regulations by reviewing and evaluating construction documents and plan submittals
• Review drawings, submittals and specifications of buildings, fire protection systems and equipment in accordance with local and State codes
• Review site plans and building construction documents and submittals to determine compliance with applicable life safety, accessibility, and building codes
• Provide support to other plan review staff and inspection staff regarding plan review
• Compose and issue plan review comments and meet with architects, designers, and others to clarify code compliance requirements
• As needed, perform on-site inspections at in-progress construction sites to verify full compliance with life safety and building code requirement Participate in training sessions related to life safety and building issues to keep abreast of current practices
• Compile and prepare formal reports, memos, letters and other technical documents
• Research, interpret and utilize codes and respond to applicants, designers, builders, and general public
• Perform other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications / requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions 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.

• 
  Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Engineering, Construction Technology, Architecture or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of work experience reviewing plans for compliance with life safety codes or other appropriate building or fire codes
• Possession of the following current certifications issued by International Code Council (ICC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or a comparable certification body, or ability to successfully obtain these certifications within the time specified and to maintain them thereafter :
  • NFPA Certified Fire Inspector I (CFI-1) within 6 months after hire
  • NFPA Certified Fire Inspector II (CFI-2) within 12 months after hire
  • NFPA Certified Fire Plans Examiner (CFPE) – within 12 months of hire
  • ICC Building Plans Examiner - within 12 months after hire
  • ICC Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner – within 18 months of hire
  • ICC Residential Plans Examiner – within 18 months of hire
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

KNOWLEDE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Extensive knowledge and experience with building and accessibility codes including IBC, IECC, and Maryland Accessibility Code
• Extensive knowledge and experience with life safety codes and ordinances including NFPA 1, NFPA 13, NFPA 72 and NFPA 101 etc. with ability to effectively interpret and apply appropriate regulations
• Working knowledge of building construction materials and methods
• Ability to effectively read and interpret architectural drawings, plans, specifications and site plans quickly and accurately, compare them to construction in process and perform building plan reviews
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports, investigative findings, correspondence, etc.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships demonstrating tact and diplomacy in all situations with co-workers, contractors, other business professionals and the general public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience enforcing ICC, NFPA standards, and fire safety regulations
• Possession of any certification as indicated above

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly reach and perform repetitive motions; frequently sit; occasionally walk, lift up to 20 pounds and drive; and rarely climb, stoop, crawl, lift up to 50 pounds, and push and pull up to 40 pounds
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; occasionally work outdoors; and rarely walk on uneven ground, work in hot temperatures above 100 degrees and cold temperatures below 32 degrees, work in a dirty, dusty and noisy environment, work near machinery and chemicals / fumes, and is required to wear protective equipment
• Physical requirements include the ability to perform on-site inspections of buildings and construction sites during various stages of construction and in any weather conditions, which may require walking/climbing/descending in structures under construction and/or renovation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Available for varied working hours as needed
• An employee of the Department of Permits and Inspections may not (1) hold an active Appraisers, Appraisal Management, Home Inspector, Electrical, Elevator Safety, HVACR, Home Improvement, Plumbing, or other contractor related license issued by the Maryland Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing’s office; (2) hold an active Home Builder license issued by the Maryland Home Builder Registration Unit, Maryland Attorney General’s Office; (3) have any interest, directly or indirectly, with a business corporation that does business in Frederick County.

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):
1) An evaluation of training and experience
2) A written and/or performance examination
3) One or more interviews
4) A pre-employment physical examination and drug test

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.