Fire Inspector (Sworn/Non-Sworn)

City of Palo Alto • Palo Alto, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Fire Prevention Bureau of the Palo Alto Fire Department is seeking qualified candidates for multiple Fire Inspector positions, with opportunities for both sworn or non-sworn candidates. The Fire Inspector (sworn and non-sworn) conducts routine and special inspections of commercial buildings, public assemblies, retail, high rise, and certain residential buildings; checks building plans for compliance with fire and life safety standards, participates in Fire Department public education programs and performs related duties as needed. May act as a liaison with other City departments in the performance of duties. This position is key to the enforcement of fire codes, standards, and city ordinances. Fire Inspector is a multi-position classification found within the Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau and investigation division. The Fire Inspector may be classified as sworn (Public Safety) or non-sworn. This position provides code enforcement activity and may be the technical liaison between the fire department and other agencies, e.g. City Attorney, Building, Planning, Police, Code Enforcement, and Water Quality Control.

Requirements

• College level fire science courses in fire prevention and hazardous materials.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
• Possession of or ability to obtain International Code Council (ICC) Inspector I Certification or completion of State Fire Inspector 1 series or equivalent within 1 year of hire.
• Possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician License (for sworn positions).
• Possession of a valid American Heart Association CPR card (for sworn positions).
• Two years’ experience as a fire fighter (for sworn positions).

Nice To Haves

• Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in Fire Science (for both sworn and non-sworn).
• Certification by State Board of Fire Services as Fire Investigator I or Hazardous Materials Technician/Responder (for sworn positions).
• College level education in Chemistry (for sworn positions).

Responsibilities

• Conducts routine and special inspections of commercial buildings, public assemblies, retail, high rise, and certain residential buildings.
• Checks building plans for compliance with fire and life safety standards.
• Participates in Fire Department public education programs.
• Acts as a liaison with other City departments in the performance of duties.
• Enforces fire codes, standards, and city ordinances.
• Conducts inspections of industrial plants, certain commercial establishments, and places of public assembly, determines compliance with applicable code and ordinances, writes reports and generates necessary correspondence to obtain code compliance and issues appropriate permits.
• Checks plans for new building construction and confers with other concerned city departments to determine compliance with fire and life safety requirements and makes necessary contacts with developers, property owners, architects, engineers, and contractors; follows through with related field inspections and tests.
• Investigates complaints received by the department and determines whether a fire hazard exists, and issues notices to abate and follows through with the City Attorney's office when necessary to secure abatement.
• Advises public on general and specific fire and life safety matters.
• Advises, and assists in the formation of evacuation and emergency action plan for large public and private buildings.
• Makes and maintains records and reports related to all activities.
• Participates in Fire Department training programs relating to areas of expertise.
• May issue citations to gain compliance.
• Conducts investigations related to apprehending and prosecution of suspected arsonists and evaluates fire scenes to determine origin and cause of fires.
• May be requested to perform complex field inspections for conflict resolution in the areas of architectural, construction, hazardous materials, alarm systems, sprinkler systems as it relates to new or existing buildings.

Benefits

• CalPERS pension formula (3% @ 55 for Classic Safety employees, 2.7% @ 57 for New Safety CalPERS Members if sworn; 2% at 60 for Classic Employees, 2% at 62 for New CalPERS Members if non-sworn).
• Comprehensive compensation plan (IAFF).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree