FIRE SAFETY OFFICER

Full Job Description

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION IN THE FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

FIRE SAFETY OFFICER

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a highly skilled and technically proficient Fire Safety Officer to oversee all fire- and life-safety programs within our detention facilities.

This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local fire codes, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and all applicable detention-facility regulations.

The Fire Safety Officer serves as the agency’s subject-matter expert on fire prevention, fire-protection systems, and emergency preparedness in a secure, high-risk environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fire Prevention & Code Compliance

• Conduct comprehensive fire-safety inspections throughout detention housing units, administrative areas, medical units, kitchens, mechanical rooms, and inmate work areas.
• Ensure compliance with NFPA standards, state fire codes, and local ordinances.
• Identify hazards, issue corrective action directives, and monitor remediation.
• Develop, update, and enforce fire-safety policies, emergency action plans, and evacuation procedures.

Fire Protection Systems Oversight

• Manage inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems, smoke control systems, fire doors, and emergency lighting.
• Coordinate with certified contractors and vendors to ensure systems meet operational and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all inspections, tests, and repairs.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Plan and conduct fire drills in accordance with detention-facility regulations.
• Serve as the fire-safety advisor during emergencies, assisting command staff and coordinating with responding fire agencies.
• Train detention personnel in fire-safety procedures, extinguisher use, hazard recognition, and emergency inmate movement.

Detention-Specific Responsibilities

• Ensure fire-safety procedures align with inmate movement restrictions and facility security protocols.
• Evaluate inmate work programs for compliance with fire- and life-safety standards.
• Provide fire-safety guidance for construction, renovation, and capital improvement projects.

Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare detailed inspection reports, deficiency notices, and compliance summaries for command staff and county leadership.
• Maintain all required documentation for accreditation bodies (ACA, NCCHC, state jail standards).
• Participate in safety committees and risk-management initiatives.

Interagency Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison to the local Fire Marshal’s Office and municipal fire departments.
• Coordinate pre-incident planning, facility tours, and joint training with external agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in fire science, public safety, engineering, or related field.
• Professional certifications strongly preferred:
  • Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA or state equivalent)
  • Fire Instructor I
  • Firefighter I/II
  • Fire alarm, sprinkler, or life-safety systems certifications
• 5 years of experience in fire inspection, fire protection systems, or life-safety compliance.
• Experience in detention, corrections, industrial, or high-risk environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA codes, fire-protection technology, and emergency-response procedures.
• Ability to pass all background checks and work effectively in a secure facility.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Expert understanding of fire-protection systems and life-safety codes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret technical documents, blueprints, and system schematics
• Effective communication and training skills
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
• Ability to operate within a secure, high-stress environment

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates primarily within secure detention facilities and requires walking, climbing stairs, accessing mechanical spaces, and responding to emergency situations. Occasional after-hours or on-call response may be required.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should submit a completed application, resumé, and any relevant certifications. Selected candidates will be required to pass a background investigation, drug screening, and security clearance process.

Requirements

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to coordinate special projects and conduct research and analysis of various departmental functions and operations.

Work at this level is of a responsible, technical or professional level relative to a supporting role in the management of a division, department, or operation, but without supervisory or managerial responsibilities.

Work at this level is of a responsible, technical or professional level relative to a supporting role in the management of the County or a significant department, but without supervisory or managerial responsibilities.

All authority and autonomy inherent in this classification is at the discretion of and delegated by a Department Director or Division Administrator.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Conducts operational research, productivity analyses and management studies to assist in the management of departmental operations, programs, and services: compiles and/or monitors various administrative and statistical data pertaining to divisional operations; researches information pertinent to task or project; analyzes data and identifies trends; prepares or generates reports; makes recommendations for changes in policies and procedures to improve operations, provide more responsive service, and/or optimize the use of resources; and develops recommendations for changes in departmental policies and procedures; and provides technical assistance and information to management to aide decision making.

Coordinates special projects for the department, including the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of moderate construction/maintenance projects, management studies, introduction of new programs, and various professional services: assists in defining the scope of the project; identifies and recommends proper allocation of financial, material, and human resources committed to the project; formulates solutions and resolves problems; facilitates implementation of the project; and provides administrative support to the project as needed.

Work at this level is usually relegated to coordination of the department's participation in major, county-wide projects, and serves in a secondary or subordinate role to the designated construction manager for large capital improvement projects.

Oversees professional contractors and/or consultants providing services for projects: participates in the evaluation and selection of contractors/consultants; interfaces with and monitors the contractors/consultants to ensure timely and quality completion of project; facilitates cooperation with the project throughout the organization; and provides information and support as needed.

Assists the department managers with strategic and long-range planning for departmental operations: participates in planning efforts at the local and regional level; keeps Director apprised of developments at the state and federal level that impact the department; monitors pending legislation for impact on operations; oversee compliance with new legislation.

Administers grants for various state and federally funded programs: compiles and submits grant applications; researches funding sources and program opportunities; assists departments with grant activities; monitors and ensures compliance with all requirements for awarded grants.

Responds to complaints and questions related to county or department operations, activities, or other issues: provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution; and works with supervisors and managers to ensure effective coordination and cooperation across units.

Represents the director and department at various meetings, functions, and events: serves as a liaison to various civic or governmental organizations and committees, taskforces, boards, and commissions; confers regularly with officials from the state, authorities, and commissions; provides information about departmental operations; participates in discussions and decisions; and keeps the director apprised of activities.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:*All applicants must agree to and successfully pass a background investigation, drug screening and polygraph to be considered for employment with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.* EXAMINATION:The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application.

Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified.

If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED.

PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

Additional Information

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.