Fire Prevention Inspector

City of Fremont•Fremont, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Fremont Fire Department is recruiting for the position of Fire Prevention Inspector. The Department serves a diverse and growing community and is dedicated to delivering high-quality public safety services through professionalism, collaboration, and innovation. The Fire Prevention Bureau is a specialized division within the Fire Department, dedicated to safeguarding the Fremont community and promoting a culture of safety and preparedness in the City. This position is ideal for a professional who enjoys a balance of technical inspection work, public interaction, investigation, and problem-solving. Fire Prevention Inspectors play a critical role in protecting the community by helping ensure compliance with fire and life safety regulations while educating the public and working collaboratively to resolve hazards and safety concerns. We’re looking for someone who has strong communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrates sound judgment, has the ability to interpret and apply fire and life safety codes in a fair, consistent, and professional manner, is comfortable working independently in the field, and is a natural team player and collaborator. If you are interested in protecting the community through fire prevention, life safety education, inspections, investigations, and collaborative problem-solving, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a meaningful impact while serving the Fremont community! Under general supervision, Fire Prevention Inspectors perform administrative, inspection, investigative, and technical work related to the enforcement of fire and life safety regulations, hazardous materials management requirements, municipal codes, and related fire prevention programs.

Requirements

Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Sound judgment
Ability to interpret and apply fire and life safety codes in a fair, consistent, and professional manner
Comfortable working independently in the field
Team player and collaborator
Knowledge of City codes and ordinances related to land use and zoning; building construction and safety; fire prevention concepts and conventions, safety techniques and practices; evidence collection and preservation; basic principles of land use planning; property owner rights; photography; property descriptions; assessor's map systems; court systems and legal procedures; construction materials and methods; conflict resolution techniques; research practices and techniques; technical report writing; arithmetic; basic algebra and geometry; public speaking techniques; practices and techniques of public contact with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; map reading; practices of supervision; techniques of training and evaluation; California Fire, Building and related sections of the Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Housing Codes; automated information systems.
Ability to apply inspection, interviewing, investigatory and safety techniques and practices; read, understand and enforce codes and ordinances; perform research; read and follow maps; make sound judgments in stressful situations; operate radio equipment; explain the provisions of codes and ordinances to the general public; identify different materials, animals, plants, chemicals, sounds, odors and other conditions which might result in immediate or potential health, safety or fire hazards; analyze and evaluate observations and information; direct and determine compliance; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with individuals from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; use protective clothing and apparatus; write technical reports; inspect property with unknown hazardous conditions, including uneven terrain; take photographs and measurements; maintain accurate records.
Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the job satisfactorily will be considered.
A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: two years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university and two years of experience enforcing codes and ordinances relating to planning, zoning, building, fire, the environment or health and safety, or eighteen months of experience as a Code Enforcement Officer I with the City of Fremont.
Ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver's License by date of hire is required.
Possession of Certificates of Completion for the First Responder Inspector Series courses (formerly the Fire Inspector I Series), issued by the California State Fire Marshal.
Ability to complete the following within one year of employment: Fire Inspector 2 Series courses: Fire Inspector 2A: Fire Prevention Administration Fire Inspector 2B: Fire and Life Safety Requirements Fire Inspector 2C: Inspecting New and Existing Fire and Life Safety Systems and Equipment Fire Inspector 2D: Hazardous Materials, Operations, and Processes Fire Investigator 1 Series courses (2022): Fire Investigator 1A: Basic Fire Investigation Course Plan Fire Investigator 1B: Evidence, Documentation, Interviews, and Wildland Course Plan Fire Investigator 1C: Preparation for Legal Proceedings
Completion of Fire Inspector 1 Certification from the California State Fire Marshal’s Office, International Code Council (ICC) Certification or equivalent.
Ability to satisfactorily complete a Penal Code 832 –Laws of Arrest course based on department need as recommended by the Fire Marshal.

Nice To Haves

Completion of training in the following: Fire Inspector 2A: Fire Prevention Administration Fire Inspector 2B: Fire and Life Safety Requirements Fire Inspector 2C: Inspecting New and Existing Fire and Life Safety Systems and Equipment Fire Inspector 2D: Hazardous Materials, Operations, and Processes

Responsibilities

Conducting inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, educational, and high-occupancy facilities
Researching and interpreting fire and life safety codes
Investigating complaints, conducting field investigations, and assisting with fire investigations
Preparing reports, notices, legal documents, and related records
Issuing citations and enforcement notices when necessary
Reviewing work plans and issuing permits for specialized operations and special events
Participating in weed abatement and vegetation management activities
Providing fire and life safety education and outreach
Participating in large-scale investigations and special event activities
Inspects a variety of residential, educational, institutional, commercial, industrial and high occupancy buildings and land for compliance with local, state and national fire codes, and building, administrative, environmental or public health codes as applicable.
Researches codes for application and interpretation to various conditions; explains violations and appropriate mitigation measures.
Tests operation of installed fire extinguishing systems; notifies owners and explains and discusses corrections required.
Issues citations as may be necessary for continued non-compliance.
Conducts interviews, field investigations and site surveillance.
Assists with the investigation of fires at the discretion of the Fire Marshal.
Prepares reports and maintains records of fire inspection and investigation work.
Participates in large scale investigations with other City personnel or local agencies.
Reviews work plans and issues permits for specialized commercial/industrial operations, public fires, special events and other activities with owners, architects, engineers, and construction managers for resolution of hazards and violations.
May inspect sites and buildings before construction or alteration to determine practicability of plans, compliance and regulations, and validity of permits.
May testify in court cases involving fire prevention, inspection or enforcement proceedings.
Issues "STOP WORK" and "DO NOT OCCUPY" orders, writes warning letters to negligent owners or contractors, and carries negligent cases through prosecution channels in situations of non-compliance where appropriate; may issue citations as appropriate.
Develops and presents fire safety education programs.
Participates in special events or related crowd management activities.
Prepares written reports, legal documents, memos and letters.
Prepares case information for and presents evidence at appeal hearings and other legal proceedings.
Participates in managing the weed abatement and Vegetation Management program.
May act as advocate in appeal hearings.
Performs related duties as required by the Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal.
May inspect fire suppression systems, construction plans, and work in progress for conformance to appropriate codes and approve fire safety aspects.