Fire Inspector jobs in the United States

Job Summary

This entry level position is responsible for learning, understanding, and administering inspections to ensure fire code compliance and safe building conditions.  This position is responsible for the proper application of fire codes and record maintenance of inspections and related activities. At the request of the Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, or Fire Chief, for investigative purposes can be called to emergencies involving fire, medical and environmental concerns. 

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Inspects residential, licensed care, commercial, and industrial buildings, facilities, and multi-story buildings; to determine and enforce compliance with local and state fire and life safety codes; assesses code violation progress through site visits, certified mail and legal action as needed.
• Inspects new and existing structures and properties for construction, occupancy, fire protection and exposures as required by the fire code.
• Provides technical assistance to the department; interprets policies, procedures, and documents relating to types of chemicals and requirements of disclosure laws.
• Communicates in writing and orally with the public, contractors, vendors, architects, engineers, State Fire Marshall, law enforcement, etc.
• Determines if business emergency plan is required; reviews, evaluates, and processes business emergency plans.
• Researches and interprets the various local, state, and national fire and life safety codes for the public and makes recommendations.
• Writes reports based on field notes; issues Notices of Violation and citations for code violations; initiates prosecution and prepares materials necessary for litigation.
• Investigates fire and life safety complaints received from the public and takes appropriate action. Maintains files, inspection reports and related documents as required by Fire department policies.
• Determines operational readiness of fire suppression systems, fire detection systems, alarm systems and fire extinguishers; tracks field observations and test documentation.
• Develops, produces, coordinates, and maintains hazardous materials data on facilities within the jurisdiction.
• Assists in giving talks, demonstrations, and presentations before community groups, schools, and other organizations and institutions as needed.
• Works with other governmental agencies for compliance and enforcement of fire codes and standards, and hazardous material disclosure and enforcement.
• Attends necessary meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications, audio-visual, and database materials to obtain required continuing education hours; and maintain/enhance professional development.
• Responds as needed to calls, or reports of actual, possible, or potential fire occurrences, motor vehicle accidents, explosions, uncontained hazardous/volatile/chemical contamination or other property or life-threatening emergency conditions to suppress, control, remove, contain, or otherwise mitigate the situation; provides emergency support for medical emergencies; searches for and rescues victims; performs or supports the performance of various types of technical rescue operations.
• Provides emergency and non-emergency incident responses as needed such as public assistance and other service calls which include assistance to physically impaired, evaluation and minor repairs to fire and smoke detection equipment.
• Cleans, maintains, and tests fire department and specialized equipment.
• Inspects personal protective equipment for readiness and informs officer of any maintenance or problems with the equipment.
• Serve as a role model or mentor to firefighters with a lower rank, as well as demonstrating adherence to all District policies, procedures and standard operating procedures.
• Conducts site visits to all commercial facilities or other hazardous structures/buildings/or areas within assigned district to maintain familiarity, evaluates potential code compliance and safety concerns, and assists supervisor with updating pre-fire planning information.
• Inspects alarm systems and fire control systems to determine compliance with prescribed fire code enforcement standards.
• Meets scheduling and attendance requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of District rules and regulations, city and county ordinances, National Fire Protection Association Standards and Standard Fire Prevention code in addition to other federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and standards;
• Knowledge of South Carolina Occupational Health and Safety Administration (SC OSHA) regulations;
• Knowledge of hazardous materials and hazardous substance reference manuals.
• Knowledge of the proper use of firefighting implements and tools.
• Knowledge of emergency medical and health techniques and methods in alignment with certifications/licenses held;

Skills In:

• Skill in operating ladders, two-way radios, cameras, atmospheric & chemical sampling equipment, and basic office equipment such as fax and copy machines;
• Skill in working for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration;
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume
  of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority;
• Skill in effective communication with other members of the staff, supervisor, business owners, vendors, and the public both verbally and written; 
• Skill at an intermediate level in all facets of Microsoft Word programs – word, excel, Visio and power point. Ability to input into databases, extract data and develop/analyze reports;

Ability To:

• Ability to always conduct oneself in a professional manner;
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data;
• Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of complicated situations;
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations;
• Ability to maintain discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations;
• Ability to work accurately with attention to detail;
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications/Coursework

Education:

• High School diploma or have attained a GED. Associate Degree in fire science or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Must have completed at least two (2) years as a Firefighter II with the Bluffton Township Fire District; or have completed at least four (4) years as a Firefighter / EMT with another fire department and can demonstrate completion of all online/external courses;
• Certified IFSAC/ProBoard Firefighter 1 & 2.
• CPR/First Aid
  
• Valid SC Driver’s License.
• Hazardous Materials Awareness in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120;

Certifications/Coursework: Requirements are subject to change to ensure methods are current with industry standards.

Preferred Requirements:

• ICC Fire Inspector I Certification;
• NAFI or IAAI Fire Investigation Certification;
  
• SCFA 3213: Basic Arson Course
• SCFA 8610: Fire Marshal Rules and Regulations

Must successfully complete within the first 12 months of employment

• ICC Fire Inspector I Certification;
• SCFA 8610: Fire Marshal Rules and Regulations;
• SCFA 2147: NIMS-ICS for the Fire Service, or equivalent training;

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor. 

• Position requires extensive walking, bending, crawling in various types of buildings, and fire damaged structures.
• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 75-100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Position may require raising & extending ladders and carrying heavy equipment up/down ladders or stairs.
• Enter buildings under post-fire conditions which might include smoke, residual heat, and limited visibility, in designated personal protective clothing including appropriate respiratory protection.
• Work in high places, open and/or confined spaces.
• May be subject to extended periods of intense concentration.
• Use a variety of tools to remove walls and ceilings, requiring pulling and pushing motions with arms extending overhead for long periods of time, or to force entry into a building.
• Perform fire and emergency medical duties while exposed to heat, cold and/or wet environmental elements.
• Operate district vehicles during the day and at night, using depth perception and peripheral vision in emergency situations, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
• Moves material such as burnt building debris from one place to another using a shovel, rake or rubbish hook or to overhaul a burned-out structure.
• Works with cleaning fluids and agents, chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, paints, or similar solutions using routine and nonroutine protective equipment.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work may require wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• May be subject to recall during natural or man-made disasters, working extended periods ranging from 24 hours shifts or longer.
• May be required to operate hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, gas and electric saws as well as medical equipment.
• May be required to work in close proximity to multiple types of commercial and industrial machinery, and high voltage power/generation power sources.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.