Ontario Public Service Careers – Job Specification
Page 1 of 3
THE ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE
CAREERS
Job Specification
Position title:
Job code:
Job ID:
Fire Protection Engineer Intern
05PBE – Bargaining – PEGO-Engineering
ITE MCSCS 1301
Purpose of Position:
To provide advice and assistance on all aspects of fire protection engineering, including the
four principles of fire protection (compartmentalization, early warning, exiting and
suppression), public education, fire prevention and investigations, to the Office of the Fire
Marshal and to its clients, in the capacity of an intern in the OPS Internship Program for
Internationally Trained Engineers.
Duties/Responsibilities:
In this capacity, and under the supervision and/or advice of more senior engineering staff,
the incumbent will gain progressive project experience through a series of assignments in a
variety of engineering areas, such as:
1. Provide interpretation(s) of and advice on the application of legislation, regulations,
codes and standards (e.g. Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) and Fire Code)
which relate to fire safety, including matters requiring professional expertise (e.g.
identifying and assessing viable alternatives to prescriptive code requirements) to
the Office of the Fire Marshal, fire departments, stakeholder industries and related
professions, insurance community, municipalities, federal and provincial ministries
and agencies and the public.
2. Develop technical guidelines and reports on a variety of fire safety related matters
where engineering expertise is required (e.g. methods of assessing audibility of fire
alarm systems) to assist with compliance and uniform application of fire safety
legislation.
3. Review and evaluate submissions made by design professionals (e.g. building plans
involving fire protection features and life safety studies involving engineered fire
protection compliance alternatives) to assess compliance with relevant fire safety
legislation, regulations and codes for projects such as construction of schools and
hospitals, by analysing submissions by design professionals and fire departments and
providing recommendations for compliance, utilizing sound engineering practice.
4. Coordinate and support the implementation of fire safety programs by participating
in meetings with clients, consultants, staff from other branches, regions, government
agencies and interested parties.
5. Monitor changing expectations of the public and government, identifying trends in
fire losses through a range of research resources and identifying approaches along a
continuum of strategies for a fire safe environment; assist in developing risk
assessment systems utilising engineering principles; monitor activities in other
jurisdictions.
6. Support the maintenance of the Fire Code by: reviewing fire safety related
legislation, regulations and standards, and assessing the impacts on stakeholders
and the public.
htpp://www.gojobs/gov.on.ca/ITE.asp
Job ID: ITE MCSCS 1301
Ontario Public Service Careers – Job Specification
Page 2 of 3
7. Support Fire Protection Engineers in carrying out inspections of premises by
gathering relevant facts (e.g. description of building materials and their assigned fire
protection ratings, evaluating design and performance of fire suppression systems)
to generate technical reports.
8. Assess risk of fires utilising engineering principles to determine the potential for an
occurrence and to determine the impact to life safety, immediate threat to life, the
community and the environment (e.g. identifying potential failure modes and
calculating the magnitude of ensuing fire/explosion) and recommending measures to
reduce the risk and consequences.
9. Conduct code compliance, building performance and environmental impact
investigations of fires and explosions, carrying out related research, preparing
technical reports (e.g. assessing performance of building systems, evaluating
mechanisms for smoke movement and environmental contamination, and identifying
design problems).
10. Carry out various research projects that may include assessing new or defective
products and substances, fire hazards, and making recommendations for corrections,
solutions and/or preventative measures, utilising engineering principles as
appropriate.
11. Assist in the preparation and delivery of educational/training material on regulations
and issues related to fire protection engineering.
12. Prepare written communication materials on technical subjects, including articles,
communiqués, alerts and guidelines.
13. Maintain an awareness of new developments in engineering standards, emerging
technologies and trends.
Staffing and Licensing Requirements:
A degree is required in at least one of the engineering disciplines, such as chemical,
mechanical, electrical or civil engineering (or an acceptable alternative) from a university of
recognized standing. Candidates must be registered with Professional Engineers of Ontario
(PEO).
This position requires screening through Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to ascertain
candidates qualify by satisfying technical/educational requirements for licensing except for
the 12 months of Canadian experience.
Knowledge/Skills:
A sound knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles and practices of
engineering to ensure public fire safety. Knowledge of legislation, regulations, codes and
standards (e.g. Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) and Fire Code (OFC), Building
Code Act (BCA), and Ontario Building Code (OBC)) to provide interpretation and advice to
staff, internal/external stakeholders and the public. Knowledge of fire dynamics including
the consequences of fires. Good written and verbal communication skills to generate
correspondence, technical reports, other documents, provide advice and effectively interact
with others in a group and one-on-one setting. Good analytical and problem-solving skills to
evaluate submissions made by design professionals, assess facts, identify relevant issues
and recommend solutions. Investigative and research skills to develop solutions to unique
situations and maintain awareness of latest technologies through the review and research of
other jurisdictional practices, periodicals, books and articles, attendance at seminars and
the review of occurrence reports. Project management skills to carry out a variety of
projects. Competency in the use of personal computer and a variety of software packages
htpp://www.gojobs/gov.on.ca/ITE.asp
Job ID: ITE MCSCS 1301
Ontario Public Service Careers – Job Specification
Page 3 of 3
(e.g. word processing, spreadsheet and database management) to prepare reports,
correspondence and conduct analysis.
Judgement:
Work is performed under the direction and guidance of the Manager and senior engineering
staff who provide technical oversight, mentoring and transfer of expertise/experience to the
incumbent. Work is performed within the framework of OFM and Ministry
policies/procedures, legislation/regulations, and technical guidelines. Position exercises
judgement when conducting on-site inspections/investigations, in evaluating problems,
assessing level of risk and consequences of fires, reviewing and evaluating design
submissions, in determining compliance with legislation and when making sound
recommendations within a range of established design criteria and standards. Judgement is
required in balancing impact of risks against the impact of recommendations to the
stakeholders. Judgement is also exercised in planning projects and organizing and
prioritizing own workload in order to ensure deadlines are met. The position also exercises
judgement in identifying/applying appropriate regulations/guidelines to fire safety issues.
Position consults with Manager or senior staff when faced with unusual problems.
Accountability – Programs:
Position is directly accountable for providing sound engineering advice and
recommendations in written or verbal communication and technical reports. Position is
responsible for managing and balancing own workload to ensure timelines and critical
deadlines are met.
Accountability – Impact of Errors:
Is such that poor decision-making, advice and recommendations could adversely affect
public safety, with resulting injuries, loss of life, property damage and environmental
impacts; quality and enforceability of fire safety related legislation, regulations and
standards. Incorrect advice or recommendations could place unnecessary financial burden
on stakeholders and the public. Errors could result in a loss of credibility in the Office of the
Fire Marshal and the Ministry.
Contact – Internal:
Work requires contact with colleagues and associates in the Office of the Fire Marshal to
exchange information and discuss issues of mutual interest. Interacts with staff in other
sections during development of guidelines and reports.
Contact – External:
Work entails supervised contact with staff in other ministries, design professionals,
municipal officials, fire departments, fire safety related agencies and the public to provide
fire protection engineering advice (e.g. telephone inquiries).
htpp://www.gojobs/gov.on.ca/ITE.asp
Job ID: ITE MCSCS 1301