Location
Description
Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.
Effective 7/1/2020, the pay range for this classification is $96,470.50 to $122,137.60.
The actual salary will be determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. In addition to the starting salary, employees in the Associate Engineer classification shall also receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay.
The San José Fire Department (SJFD) is seeking to fill four (4) Associate Engineer positions in the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP). The Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) Development Division contributes to the Department’s mission through its primary focus on key areas of responsibility that include; public education and outreach services, investigation of fires to determine cause and origin, and code compliance activities such as plan review and inspection.
For more information about BFP, please click here.
Under the general supervision of a Senior Engineer, the Associate Engineer position performs a variety of professional engineering, plan review, and inspection work.
Typical duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Examine plans, perform calculations and review specifications for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings for compliance with the California Building Code, California Fire Code, California State Fire Marshal regulations, and
applicable NFPA standards and local ordinances.
- Provide technical advice to consultants, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, department officers and staff, and the Fire Marshal on the application or interpretation of fire safety codes/regulations, and on the resolution of fire safety issues found in the preliminary design of buildings.
- Analyze and evaluate proposals for alternate materials, methods of construction, and/or variances to fire safety codes and regulations.
- Conduct field inspections to ensure that the finished construction complies with approved plans.
The subject of the incumbent’s tasks will be focused on one or more of the following Sections of BFP areas: Building Life Safety Systems, Fire Suppression Systems, Fire Detection/Fire Alarm Systems, Hazardous Materials and Site Development.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.
Ideal Candidate
Minimum Qualifications
Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional engineering discipline (e.g. Fire Protection, Mechanical, Electrical,Civil, etc.) or possession of an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate.
Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience.
Acceptable Substitution: A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional engineering discipline (e.g. Fire Protection, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, etc.) may be substituted for one (1) year of professional engineering experience.
Licenses or Certificates: Possession of a valid State of California’s driver’s license is required.
Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San José will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following desirable competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history:
Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
- Knowledge of codes and standards relevant to building life safety and fire protection.
- Experience examining building plans to ensure compliance with building fire safety and fire protection.
- Experience in the design, evaluation, and inspection testing of fire/life safety components such as building apparatuses, fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, and/or HazMat systems.
- Possession of certifications and/or licenses related to the field of fire protection.
Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
Analytical Thinking – Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
Customer Service – Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
Decision Making – Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
Planning – Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.
Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.
You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
*Please describe your responsible professional engineering experience. Please include the following in your response:
· Job Title
· Name of Organization/Agency
· Dates of Employment
· Average Hours worked per Week
· Description of Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities
*Please indicate your degree and major and/or if you possess an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate.
*Are you a licensed engineer? If so, please indicate your license type and number.
*Please list any professional licenses and/or certifications (e.g. P.E certification for Plans Examiner, Fire Inspector and/or any other Fire/Life Safety accreditations).
*Please describe your experience with the following codes: California Fire Code, California Building Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards, Title 19 – California Code of Regulations, or any other code(s) you feel is relevant to this position.
*Please describe your experience in designing, evaluating the design of, or inspecting/testing automatic fire sprinkler systems, and/or fire alarm systems.
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Courtney Phommachack at Courtney.phommachack@sanjoseca.gov.
