Fire Inspector

Halifax Regional Municipality; Lower Sackville; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking a Fire Inspector in Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency to conduct building inspections and enforce Fire Safety Act compliance across HRFE operations.

The role requires Level 2 Fire Inspector credentials (or related diploma) and 5 years’ experience with NS Fire Safety Act, Building Code Act and regulations. Based in Lower Sackville, the position is permanent full-time with 40 hours/week.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Fire Inspector Certification or Level 2 Building Official Diploma of Qualification and ability to obtain Level 2 Fire Inspector Certification.
• Minimum five (5) years’ relevant experience administering Fire Safety Act and Regulations, Building Code Act and related legislation.
• Demonstrated capacity to inspect buildings, structures, facilities and occupancies as defined by NS Building Code and NS Fire Code.
• Valid Nova Scotia driver's license.
• Experience inspecting complex buildings (high rise, industrial) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Inspect existing buildings for compliance with Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act, regulations and by-laws.
• Identify and report inaccuracies in property data.
• Respond to public and internal complaints; conduct follow-up inspections when violations are noted.
• Maintain thorough, accurate records of all activities.
• Document evidence and represent HRFE during legal proceedings.
• Enforce guidelines, health and safety standards, and procedures for fire prevention operations.
• Review and coordinate development of operational policies; recommend changes as needed.
• Maintain regulatory appointments (Municipal Fire Inspector, Local Assistant, Special Constable).
• Inform building owners about noncompliant conditions and take necessary actions to achieve compliance.
• Assist in mentoring junior positions.
• Remain current in regulatory and technical construction standards.
• Take responsibility under IRS for health and safety per NS OHS Act.
• Review tender documents for compliance with Orders to Remedy.
• Prepare Orders/Notices and maintenance reports under Fire Safety Act and HRM Charter.
• Provide expert opinion/testimony at hearings or HRM Charter proceedings.
• Research NFC, NBC and manufacturers references (CSA, NFPA, CCMC, ULC, CGSB).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Conflict Management

Communication

Customer Service

Decision Making

Organization & Planning

Organizational Awareness

Risk Management

Teamwork & Cooperation

Valuing Diversity

Values & Ethics

Education

Level 2 Fire Inspector Certification

Level 2 Building Official Diploma

Tools

FDM

Microsoft Suite

Hansen Information System

Job description

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for the permanent, full-time position of Fire Inspector in Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Under the direction of the Division Captain Fire Prevention, the Fire Inspector is responsible for conducting building inspection for Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency (HRFE) in accordance with the requirements under the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act.

The Fire Inspector is required to act in concert with other regulatory staff and agencies to ensure compliance with construction, development, and other health and safety-related regulations. The position is appointed Municipal Fire Inspector pursuant to the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act.

The Fire Inspector conducts themselves in a professional, competent manner at all times when representing HRFE & the HRM with building owners, tenants, outside agencies and internal service providers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inspects existing buildings and occupancies for compliance with the Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act and Regulations and various Municipal By-laws;
• Identify and report on inaccuracies in the property data;
• Responds to complaints or concerns from the public and internal staff, and conducts follow-up inspections where violations have been noted;
• Maintains contemporaneous, thorough and accurate records of all activities;
• Documents evidence file and represents HRFE during legal proceedings;
• Enforces operational guidelines, occupational health and safety standards, rules, regulations, policies, systems and procedures for safe and efficient fire prevention operations;
• Reviews and coordinates the development of operational policies and guidelines, and recommends any changes or additions deemed necessary;
• Maintains regulatory appointments (Municipal Fire Inspector, Local Assistant and Special Constable);
• Inform building owners on “noncompliant” conditions and take such actions as is necessary to achieve compliance;
• Assist in the mentorship and guidance of junior positions;
• Remain current in all regulatory and technical construction standards;
• Responsible under the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) as defined in the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act to have a direct responsibility for health and safety as an essential part of their work;
• Review tender documents for compliance with Orders to Remedy required under the Fire Safety Act;
• Prepare “Orders” or “Notices” and reports for maintenance as required by the Fire Safety Act and Regulations and HRM Charter;
• Give evidence in the way of expert opinion and/or testimony at various quasi-judicial hearings or pursuant to Part 15 of the HRM Charter;
• Research of NFC, NBC and manufacturers reference documents both manually and online including CSA, NFPA, CCMC, ULC, CGSB, etc;
• Responsible for other duties assigned as appropriate to the function and responsibilities of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Level 2 Fire Inspector Certification or Level 2 Building Official Diploma of Qualification and ability to obtain Level 2 Fire Inspector Certification.
• Minimum five (5) years’ relevant experience administering the Fire Safety Act and Regulations, Building Code Act and Regulations and/or related legislation.
• Must be able to demonstrate capacity and competency to inspect all buildings, structures, facilities, and occupancies as defined by the Nova Scotia Building Code and Nova Scotia Fire Code.
• Valid Nova Scotia driver's license.
• Considerable experience inspecting complex buildings (ex: high rise, industrial) similar to those found in HRM considered an asset.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Detailed knowledge of the HRM Charter, Nova Scotia Building and Fire Codes, Nova Scotia Fire Safety Act, HRM By-laws M200, O109, F100 and B400;
• Must have a sound knowledge and understanding of common law principals including precedents resulting from Court and Regulatory Body decisions;
• Knowledge of associated construction approval departments and agencies as well as their related procedures and regulations;
• Knowledge of business related software and technology, i.e. spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email, etc. (FDM, Microsoft Suite and Hansen Information System would be considered an asset).

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical Thinking
• Conflict Management
• Communication
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Organization & Planning
• Organizational Awareness
• Risk Management
• Teamwork & Cooperation
• Valuing Diversity
• Values & Ethics

WORK STATUS: Permanent, full-time.

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, for 40 hours per week.

SALARY: $94,154.42, as per the IAFF 268 Collective Agreement

WORK LOCATION: Acadia Centre, 636 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville NS B4C 2S3. Work location may change based on operational requirements.

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

This is a bargaining unit position. External applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified bargaining unit candidates.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax