Fire and Safety Representative

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description Fire and Safety Representatives provide fire safety field services to adult and childcare facilities as part of a team that includes other program representatives and would ensure that these facilities are in compliance with applicable safety codes, regulations, and other state and local requirements. Fire and Safety Representatives could conduct safety inspections, compile reports detailing findings, and review evacuation plans to determine the ability of facilities to respond to fire and other emergencies.The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities provides high-quality, person-centered services, supports and advocacy to approximately 120,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in New York State. We are guided in our interactions with the people we serve and each other by compassion, dignity, diversity, excellence and honesty. Our motto is “Putting People First,” and it applies not only to the individuals we serve, but to our employees as well.Operating within the Center for Property Supports & Emergency Services Fire Safety/Emergency Management Bureau, the Fire and Safety Representative will promote fire safety improvements, and emergency preparedness across the OPWDD enterprise. Duties will include, but are not limited to: • Facilitating fire safety training and awareness of regulatory and code requirements to staff responsible for the day-to-day management of safe programs. The Representative will work with DDSOO Staff Development and Training departments as well as voluntary providers to ensure consistent adherence to fire safety curricula.• Assisting in the development and monitoring of evacuation plans and facility-based emergency management plans to ensure facilities and community homes are prepared to respond to fire and other emergencies.• Working in concert with the respective DDSOOs, providers and other stakeholders, and ensure that all applicable processes are followed and improvements are implemented as needed.• Assisting the DDSOO Safety Officers in their reviews of state-operated homes and also working collaboratively with the Division of Quality Improvement to identify and promote resolution of fire safety concerns.• Perform facility risk assessments for emergency planning activities to assist in meeting bureau goals.• Attend local and regional meetings with emergency managers/ fire coordinators and other state agencies. • Assist in the development and deployment of or with agency incident response teams during times of crisis• Compiling reports detailing findings and recommendations.• Establishing working relationships with local fire and police departments. In addition, occasional work in the New York State Emergency Operation Center in Albany may be required during a natural disaster. This may include modified working hours as needed.LinkedIn:

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications Fire & Safety Representative: Open Competitive: Five years of full-time active service in a professional fire department or industrial fire brigade (including members of the military who spent their service time performing firefighting and fire protection activities) WHICH INCLUDES two years of experience as the person primarily responsible for fire prevention, fire inspection, or fire training programs.OR eight years of active service in a volunteer fire department WHICH INCLUDES two years of experience as the person primarily assigned and responsible for fire prevention, fire inspection, or fire training programs, AND the successful completion of six fire safety courses offered by the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control or a verifiable equivalent. Five of these courses must include: Firefighter 1 or Basic Firefighter and Intermediate Firefighter or equivalent; Introduction to Code Enforcement Practices Part 1; Introduction to Code Enforcement Practices Part II; and Inspection Procedures for Existing Structures.Or an associate's or higher-level degree in fire science, fire safety, or a fire protection field; AND three years of full-time, paid experience in a professional fire department, military fire department, or industrial fire brigade. At least two of the three years must have been as the person primarily responsible for fire prevention, fire inspection, or fire training programs.Or An associate's or higher-level degree in fire science, fire safety, or a fire protection field; AND six years of experience in a volunteer fire department. At least two of the six years must have been as the person primarily assigned and responsible for fire prevention, fire inspection, or fire training programs*. IN ADDITION, you must have successful completion of six fire safety courses offered by the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control or a verifiable equivalent. Five of the six courses must include: Firefighter 1 or Basic Firefighter and Intermediate Firefighter or equivalent; Introduction to Code Enforcement Practices Part 1; Introduction to Code Enforcement Practices Part II; and Inspection Procedures for Existing Structures.Note: "fire prevention, fire inspection, or fire training programs" are those programs which are general fire service training areas for firefighters, which include hazardous materials, arson investigation, fire equipment maintenance, and other firefighter training.Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website:

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.• Fire & Safety Representative 1: $68,951* - $87,138**Amounts include Downstate adjustment ($2,000).• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume. • All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility. • If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit • Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). • If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email [email protected] to obtain information and RA forms.• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan. • Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.• Life insurance and Disability insurance.• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.• Paid Holidays and Leave: ° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year. ° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially. ° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year. ° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year. ° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.• Health Care Coverage: Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.• Paid Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.• Retirement Program: Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.• Professional Development and Education and Training: NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.