Fire Codes Inspector

Lake Mary City of Lakes; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of St. Petersburg is seeking a Fire Safety Inspector I to ensure compliance with municipal fire prevention codes across residential and commercial facilities.

You will interpret codes, inspect systems, and educate owners, tenants, and contractors on safety requirements. Responsibilities include investigating complaints, coordinating with fire department staff on drills, and communicating findings with firmness and impartiality.

Qualifications

• Possess a valid high school diploma or GED equivalency.
• Possess and maintain a valid Driver License.
• Possess and maintain a State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I Certification.
• Have thorough knowledge of regulatory codes and ordinances with respect to fire prevention safety standards.
• Be skilled in the use of a personal computer for conducting correspondence, writing reports, and entering data.
• Be able to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Be able to understand and completely follow oral and written instructions.
• Emergency Critical designation requires immediate availability during emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and explain applicable fire safety codes and regulatory requirements.
• Inspect fire alarm and sprinkler systems for compliance.
• Educate occupants, maintenance personnel, and fire suppression staff on safe operation of fire prevention systems.
• Investigate fire hazards, citizen complaints, and possibly fire origin and cause.
• Collaborate with fire department personnel on drills and public education programs.
• Communicate compliance issues clearly to builders, contractors, and the public.

Skills

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Oral & written clarity

Emergency readiness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Florida Fire Safety Inspector I Certification

Driver license

Tools

Personal computer

Job description

This is skilled technical inspection and enforcement work in securing and maintaining regulatory compliance with municipal codes and ordinances governing fire prevention and safety standards in residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, storage and high-rise facilities. Work involves responsibility for the interpretation and explanation of applicable fire safety codes and regulatory requirements for owners, tenants, contractors and builders; the investigation and evaluation of citizen complaints with respect to fire hazards and fire safety; the inspection of fire alarm and sprinkler systems; the education of occupants, maintenance personnel, and fire suppression employees in the safe and efficient operation of fire prevention systems; and could include the investigation of fire cause and origin. Assignments include working closely with fire department line personnel performing fire drills, public education programs and other related activities; and communicating effectively with builders, contractors, and the public regarding compliance issues frequently of a sensitive nature. Work requires the ability to use ladders to provide thorough inspections of buildings; and the ability to make sound, well informed recommendations, and decisions, while enforcing regulations, laws and codes with firmness, professionalism, and impartiality.

Salary: $35.58 - $47.32 Hourly

Close Date: 10-02-2026 (11:59 PM)

Minimum Qualifications. Applicants must:

• Possess a valid high school diploma or GED equivalency.
• Possess and maintain a valid Driver License.
• Possess and maintain a State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I Certification.
• Have thorough knowledge of regulatory codes and ordinances with respect to fire prevention safety standards.
• Be skilled in the use of a personal computer for conducting correspondence, writing reports, and entering data.
• Be able to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Be able to understand and completely follow oral and written instructions.
• Acknowledge this position is designated as Emergency Critical (EC) and if hired into the position, you must be immediately available to the department before, during, and after a declared emergency and/or disaster.

Desirable Qualifications. Preferred applicants:

• Have thorough knowledge of approved methods and materials used in the building construction industry, fire cost, fire spread contributors, fire hazards and fire travel characteristics.
• Have considerable knowledge of arson detection and criminal investigation.
• Have some knowledge of the geography and layout of the City.
• Have considerable knowledge of municipal, state, regional and national regulatory codes and ordinances and of the principles and practices of inspection and code enforcement.
• Be able to understand, inspect and determine regulatory compliance using plans, blueprints, drawings and diagrams.
• Have considerable professional experience in fire investigation, arson detection and as an expert witness in criminal and civil court proceedings involving arson or insurance fraud investigations.

The City of St. Petersburg is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply for posted positions. In accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes, qualified servicemembers/veterans and the spouses/family members of certain servicemembers/veterans receive preference/priority in employment. Eligible applicants are responsible to apply for Veterans’ Preference at the time of submission of any job application. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to apply, to interview for positions and to perform the essential job functions.