• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED and
• Five (5) years of full time paid experience in fire prevention and/or firefighting in a fire department. 
• Successful completion of thirty (30) semester units in Fire Science or possession of a certificate in Fire Science from an accredited school, either of which includes coursework in Supervision, Report Writing, Fire Investigation I and Fire Prevention I or approved equivalent is required at time of application filing.

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of application.

Each position in this classification may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all the duties that may be performed.

• Inspects residential, commercial and industrial units to determine and enforce compliance with safety laws and ordinances
• Investigates the causes of fires, including fires of undetermined or suspected incendiary origin
• Inspects areas or places where there are large public gatherings, high values or hazardous conditions
• Plans and conducts programs in public education and information regarding fire prevention
• Investigates complaints and answers questions regard­ing hazards and violations of fire prevention regulations
• Conducts fire drills in schools, hospitals and convalescent homes
• Maintains records and prepares reports
• Makes presentations to civic organizations and school groups
• Maintains complete and accurate record files of fire safety codes, regulations, ordinances, inspections made, and violations and penalties
• Instructs Fire Department personnel on fire prevention techniques
• Checks all new construction of industries and public assembly buildings with the Building Inspector to see that sprinkler systems and fire escapes are put in the right places and also inspects all underground pipes and fittings at the time of installation
• May be assigned to fire suppression activities
• Does related work as required

Knowledge of:

• The principles of fire prevention and the related principles of arson investigation and the State and City laws concerning these activities
• The principles of chemistry, analytical testing techniques and sampling techniques
• Building construction, including hazardous materials, alarm systems, sprinkler systems, wet and dry standpipe systems and related systems
• Local, state, and federal laws, codes, and ordinances involving environmental protection
• California Penal Code Section 832, which consists of an Arrest component and a Firearms component
• The operating policies and procedures of the Santa Clara Fire Department
• Computerized systems for maintaining data and preparing reports and correspondence

Ability to:

• Develop and conduct an effec­tive public relations program on fire prevention
• Speak effectively before large groups of people
• Develop and conduct an effective public relations program on fire prevention
• Communicate requirements, policies, and decisions to the public and co-workers in an effective manner
• Follow and provide written and oral directions
• Prepare written reports
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Deal tactfully and courteously with government officials, co-workers, contractors, architects and the general public
• Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals
• Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and meet strict deadlines
• Read and interpret blueprints or construction drawings
• Perform heavy and hazardous physical labor, and wear protective clothing and breathing apparatus as required to perform inspections and investigations
• Bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties

• All candidates will be required to pass a City background investigation, which will include fingerprinting, and may include polygraph and/or psychological testing.
• Incumbents must complete a POST-qualified California Penal Code Section 832 training course within one year of appointment and be qualified as a Peace Officer with limited peace officer powers.
• Must be able to perform all the essential functions of the job assignment.