Fire and Life Safety Inspector - City of Homewood

JobsQuest•Homewood, AL

11d

About The Position

The City of Homewood is seeking a well-qualified, motivated Fire and Life Safety Inspector to perform technical inspections, plan reviews, and code enforcement to protect life, property, and public safety. Employees conduct inspections of new and existing structures, review building plans for compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes, identify hazards, and work with property owners, contractors, and the public to ensure corrective actions are implemented. Employees also deliver public education programs on fire prevention and life safety and train other fire personnel on fire prevention.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid driver’s license.
Fire Inspector Certification (e.g., Fire Inspector levels I, II, or III, or Fire Plans Examiner) recognized by the Alabama Fire College (Pro Board or IFSAC).
Experience performing fire or building inspections.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Fire Inspector certifications recognized by the Alabama Fire College (Pro Board or IFSAC).
Fire Plans Examiner certification recognized by the Alabama Fire College (Pro Board or IFSAC).
Coursework or degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Construction Technology, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Conducts fire inspections of existing commercial, industrial, municipal, and multi-family buildings as well as new construction projects by performing on-site evaluations, observing construction and fire-protection features, and comparing conditions to local, state, and national fire codes to identify hazards and ensure regulatory compliance, thereby reducing fire risks and protecting life and property.
Conducts follow-up inspections of previously identified violations by revisiting properties, verifying implemented corrections, and rechecking systems or conditions against required standards to confirm deficiencies have been resolved and to ensure ongoing public safety.
Identifies corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance by analyzing observed violations, referencing applicable laws, regulations, and standards, and documenting required steps to guide property owners toward achieving full fire-code compliance.
Prepares detailed fire prevention and inspection reports by accurately documenting conditions, recording code violations, reviewing field notes, and communicating with property owners or responsible parties to create an official record of findings and facilitate timely corrective action.
Reviews inspection results with building owners, managers, and contractors by explaining identified hazards, discussing code requirements, and outlining mandatory corrections to ensure responsible parties understand the issues and how to resolve them, ultimately supporting safer buildings across the community.
Reviews building plans, site plans, and fire-protection system submittals by analyzing drawings, specifications, and system designs using established fire and life-safety codes to verify compliance prior to construction or installation, thereby preventing unsafe conditions before they occur.
Confers with architects, engineers, contractors, and developers by providing code interpretations, answering technical questions, and recommending necessary modifications to ensure proposed projects meet fire-safety requirements and to promote consistent code application across developments.
Recommends updates or improvements to inspection procedures, local codes, and fire-prevention practices by monitoring industry trends, reviewing modern standards, and evaluating departmental needs to keep the jurisdiction’s fire-prevention operations aligned with best practices and evolving hazards.
Plans, schedules, and prioritizes inspection assignments by evaluating annual inspection cycles, permit requirements, citizen requests, and new-construction demands to ensure timely completion of mandated inspections and to support efficient workload management.
Maintains accurate inspection, plans-review, and permitting records by entering information into databases, updating documentation after each inspection, and organizing records according to departmental standards to support legal compliance, departmental reporting, and efficient retrieval of information.
Responds to citizen complaints, hazard reports, and inspection requests by evaluating concerns, conducting field assessments, and providing code guidance to address public safety issues and ensure community members receive accurate fire-safety information.
Educates the public, businesses, and community groups by providing presentations, distributing informational materials, and explaining fire-prevention concepts to increase awareness of hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness, and life-safety responsibilities, thereby promoting a safer community.
Represents the fire department at community events, safety fairs, and public meetings by engaging with attendees, delivering fire-safety messaging, and answering questions to build public trust and encourage fire-safe behaviors.
Provides one-on-one training to fire department personnel and serves as a technical resource to ensure all personnel remain current on fire-prevention requirements and operational processes, ultimately supporting consistent, high-quality service across the department.
Participates in ongoing professional development by attending training courses, completing required certifications, reviewing updated codes and standards, and staying informed of technological and regulatory changes to maintain job proficiency and continuously enhance fire-prevention knowledge, thereby ensuring high-quality service delivery to the community.