STATE FIRE MARSHAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT
BASIC PURPOSE:
Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for
performing inspections, investigations, and educational work in fire
prevention and arson investigation as an agent of the State Fire
Marshal’s Office.
TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:
The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
• Conducts investigations of criminal violations
of state law pertaining to suspected arson and other violations related
to statutory authority and, based upon the evidence obtained, prepares
reports, advises and assists prosecutors in filing charges, and drafts
and executes legal documents for use in criminal or administrative
investigations to include affidavits, search warrants, orders, and
citations and appears as a witness in court.
• Preserves and protects crime scenes; gathers
and analyzes information; interviews witnesses; collects materials,
substances, and documents other evidence including photographs,
ignitable substances, fingerprints, and other items; arranges for
scientific testing and analysis as needed.
• Inspects premises and grounds of buildings,
such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, theaters, apartment houses,
hotels, and correctional facilities; reviews plans and specifications
for construction of new buildings or major alterations to existing
buildings to determine compliance with statutes, building and life
safety codes, rules and ordinances.
• Inspects storage locations for explosives to
enforce state laws governing the manufacture, storage and handling of
explosives; inspects locations which store or sell fireworks; enforces
the state fireworks laws governing the sale and/or possession of
illegal explosives.
• Speaks before a variety of groups, providing
information on fire safety and prevention; assists governmental
subdivisions throughout the state in instituting or improving fire and
life safety programs.
• Attends conferences; prepares and presents
classes on fire prevention, fire investigation, code enforcement, and
safety to fire and law enforcement personnel.
• Participates in covert investigations and
surveillance operations; operates computes and other equipment.
LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:
This job family consists of five levels which are distinguished
based on the complexity of job assignments, the expertise required to
complete assigned duties, and the responsibilities assigned for
providing leadership to others.
Level I Code: G21A Salary Band: J
This is the basic level of this job family where employees are
assigned responsibilities involving entry level work in a training
status to build their skills in conducting investigations, interviewing
witnesses, conducting building inspections, collecting and analyzing
evidence, and other related duties. In this role, new agents will
be trained and assisted by Field Training Officers (FTOs) and
supervisors, in competing required actions related to the job.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
required at this level include knowledge of modern fire investigative
techniques; of fire prevention, life safety and building codes; of fire
protection equipment, such as sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers,
alarm systems, and extinguishing equipment; of state criminal law
pertaining to crimes of arson and other statutory laws enforced by the
State Fire Marshal; of search and seizure, arrest, rules of evidence,
and recent court decisions affecting fire investigation, law
enforcement and code enforcement; of public relations; of correct
English grammar; and of basic elements of computer operation and
software. Ability is required to conduct interviews, investigations,
and inspections; to present clear and accurate court testimony; to
maintain chain of control over evidence; to establish and maintain
effective working relationships with others; to gather and analyze
evidence; and to organize and present facts and opinions orally and
writing.
Education and Experience
requirements at this level consist of two years experience in fire
investigation, fire protections prevention, which may include service
in a state, county, or municipal fire department; or an equivalent
combination of education and experience, substituting the completion of
30 semester hours from an accredited college or university including 6
semester hours in fire protection and prevention for each year of the
required experience. (O.S. Title 74 Section 324.5)
Level II Code: G21B Salary Band: K
This is the career level of this job family where employees are
fully trained in to perform basic fire investigation and code
enforcement duties and are assigned responsibilities for a full range
of duties including investigations and inspections, plan review, and
other essential functions associated with the position. Employees
may be assigned as resident agents, may participate in the training of
new employees, and may participate in covert investigations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
required at this level include those identified in Level I plus
knowledge of the principles and techniques of arson and related
investigations; of code enforcement and plan review; of investigative
laboratories and agencies; of crime scene processing; and proper
evidence procedures. Ability is required to conduct multiple
investigations and inspections simultaneously; and to organize and
present facts in a concise and objective manner.
Education and Experience
requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus
one additional year of qualifying experience as an agent in a public
sector Fire Marshal’s Office.
Level III Code: G21C Salary Band: L
This is the specialist level of this job family where employees
are assigned advanced level duties and responsibilities which may
include serving as a field training agent for agent trainees,
organizing and coordinating multiple investigations or inspections
within the agency or with other agencies, or participating in the
development or presentation of educational programs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
required at this level include those identified in Level II plus
knowledge of specialized investigative and inspection techniques and
ability to train and coordinate the activities of others in complex
investigations or inspections.
Education and Experience
requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus
two additional years of qualifying experience as an agent in a public
sector Fire Marshal’s office.
Level IV Code: G21D Salary Band: M
This is the leadership level of this job family where employees
are assigned responsibilities for supervising investigative and
inspection activities of agents and others. Duties shall include
review of investigation and inspection reports and activity reports and
scheduling; preparation of employee evaluations; planning, directing,
and coordinating field operations or programs; and assisting with the
preparation of division budgets. Responsibilities will also
include assisting with establishing and maintaining effective
relationships with fire, law enforcement, and other city, county, state
and federal officials in the area of assignment or responsibility, and
representing the agency at various meeting and conferences as required
as well as performing investigations, inspections and other duties as
needed and providing training to other agents and employees.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
required at this level include those identified in Level III plus
knowledge of public relations pertaining to investigative activities;
of supervisory principles and practices; of agency policies and
procedures; and of safety and training practices. Ability is
required to supervise the activities of investigative and inspection
personnel and to conduct internal investigations.
Education and Experience
requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III
plus two additional years of qualifying experience as an agent in a
public sector Fire Marshal’s office.
Level V Code: G21E Salary Band: O
At this level employees are assigned responsibilities for
management of an agency division to include personnel management and
evaluations, fiscal management of the division, procurement, budget
preparation, scheduling, and training. Responsibility will also
be assigned for establishing and maintaining close working
relationships with fire, law enforcement, city, county, state, and
federal officials and regularly attend association meetings and
conferences.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
required at this level include those identified in Level IV plus
knowledge of the state personnel and budget practices; of the state
legislative process; and of management principles and practices.
Ability is required to develop, implement, manage, and evaluate agency
programs; to analyze, interpret, and resolve personnel and management
problems; to prepare department, division, or program budgets; and to
manage the activities of investigative, inspection, public education,
and other programs within the agency.
Education and Experience
requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level IV plus
one additional year of qualifying experience in a supervisory capacity.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All applicants will be required to successfully complete
specialized training in arson detection and investigation, become
proficient with building and fire codes and pass required written exams
in addition to being CLEET certified, prior to the end of their
probationary period.
Agents must possess the ability and willingness to perform all
job-related travel; willingness to carry a firearm and use deadly force
as required; have and maintain the physical and mental stamina required
to perform the work and willingness to accept the physical discomforts
or dangers inherent in the work as evidenced by a complete physical
examination that meets the specifications of the Office of the State
Fire Marshal; ability to successfully complete any necessary training
and certification required by the agency; be willing to be on call
twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven days a week; be willing to travel
frequently and be away from home for extended periods of time; be
willing to transfer where needed and to accept assignment anywhere in
the state; pass a thorough character and background investigation;
successfully pass a polygraph examination, drug screen, and a
psychological evaluation; Applicants must have or be able to
obtain a valid Oklahoma drivers license and satisfy requirements or
limitations pertaining to carrying of weapons under the federal Gun
Control Act of 1968, as amen