Fire Inspector

City of Edina; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Edina seeks a Fire Inspector to develop expertise in fire prevention, inspection, public education and investigations. The role includes coordinating with other departments and serving as an advisory member to community groups and planning teams.

Responsibilities include inspecting systems, preparing reports, enforcing safety regulations, and guiding staff in prevention efforts. A strong emphasis is placed on training, policy input and maintaining professional certifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; three years of firefighting experience.
• Must maintain firefighting, Fire Inspector, and EMT-B certifications.
• Minnesota MFSCB certification or NFPA 1031/1033 equivalents.
• Must be licensed as a firefighter by MBFTE; valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Inspect sprinkler and fire alarm systems; inspect daycare centers, buildings, and commercial kitchens.
• Prepare, approve and sign fire prevention orders; issue citations and enforce regulations.
• Perform or guide others in fire investigations; prepare investigative reports and preserve evidence.

Skills

Public speaking

Fire inspection

Fire investigation

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree in Fire Science (preferred)

Job description

The Fire Inspector is responsible for developing and maintaining specialized skills and knowledge in areas of public information, fire prevention, community risk reduction, fire detection and control systems, hazardous materials, building construction and fire investigation. During emergencies, the Fire Inspector will perform firefighting, EMS, SOT or other assignments as directed.

Scope of Impact:

The Fire Inspector exercises independent judgment in applying and interpreting fire codes, ordinances, and statutes and assists, trains and guides other fire personnel in prevention, inspection, investigations and pre-fire planning. The Fire Inspector represents the Fire Department as an advisory member to public and private groups, committees and planning teams.

• Applies and interprets fire and building codes, electrical and mechanical codes, and various ordinances and statutes dealing with matters of fire safety and fire prevention.
  • Inspect new and existing sprinkler systems, new and existing fire alarm systems, and special fire suppression systems;
  • Handles concerns from public on fire hazards, inspect existing buildings, inspect licensed daycare centers both commercial and residential, and inspect commercial kitchen exhaust cleanings;
  • Actively engages in actions that further fire department goals with little supervision or oversight;
  • Prepares, approves and signs fire prevention orders, issues citations and takes other actions necessary to enforce fire safety regulations;
  • Make observations and recommendations to the Fire Marshal or Shift Officer on matters of policy and procedure involving fire prevention, inspection and investigation;
  • Performs or guides others in review and approval of plans and specifications for fire protection systems, building and site design, materials and process hazards;
  • Performs or guides others in the inspection and approval of Fire Department Special Hazard Permits.

• Performs firefighter, SOT, investigation and EMS duties as assigned.

• Conducts, assists, trains, and guides others.
  • Assists, trains and guides other fire personnel in matters of fire prevention/safety, fire prevention inspection, pre-fire planning, and fire scene investigation and evidence security;
  • Performs, assists, or guides others, such as engineers and designers, in the testing, calculating, reporting, and interpretation of results involving municipal and private hydrant systems, fire control systems, sprinkler, or standpipes.
  • Performs, assists, or guides others in framing, conditional, or temporary certification of Code Compliance, pre-fire or final occupancy inspections involving new or remodeled buildings.

• Represents the Fire Department to the Public.
  • Serves as an advisory member to public and private safety groups, committees and planning teams;
  • Prepares and conducts fire prevention/public education programs for the public such as, school aged children, safety camps, seniors, juvenile fire setters, business staff, and other civic groups;
  • Performs, assists or guides others in the preparation and delivery of fire safety information and awareness by demonstration, media, training or other means.

• Investigates fires and/or complaints and handles all corresponding duties.
  • Investigate fires as requested by Fire Officers, independently or as a member of a team.
  • Conducts, and maintains records of interviews and witness statements.
  • Prepares investigative reports and maintains records on all matters of fire investigation, inspection or plan review;
  • Investigates complaints and takes action to resolve questions in accordance with Department policy and practice.
  • Performs photography, sketches, and evidence collection while maintaining proper chain of evidence procedures.
  • Coordinates fire prevention activities with other city departments as necessary.

• Maintains the highest ethical standards and public trust.
• Coordinates fire prevention activities with other City departments as necessary.
• Performs other duties and activities assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

The job requires a high school diploma and three years of firefighting experience, or equivalent. Must maintain certifications for firefighting, Fire Inspector, and EMT-B. Must be licensed as a firefighter by the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE). Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license or equivalent out of state license.

Within one year meets requirements of Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board (MFSCB) or equivalent of Fire Inspector First Responder and Fire Inspector (NFPA) 1031; Fire Investigator (NFPA) 1033.

Acquires within two years Public Fire Educator I and 2 (NFPA) 1035 or equivalent; other certifications as determined by the Fire Marshal.

Desired Qualifications:

An associate’s in applied science degree in Fire Science or equivalent. NICET certification in fire protection or Fire Protection Engineer, National Fire Investigator certification or equivalent. Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Plan review experience. Community risk reduction education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required for Successful Job Performance:

• Knowledge of basic and advanced fire investigation.
• Knowledge of basic and advanced fire inspection.
• Knowledge of fire sprinkler design and application.
• Knowledge of fire alarm design and application.
• Knowledge of building and fire codes.
• Knowledge of public fire education.
• Basic familiarity with common mechanical and electrical codes.
• Basic familiarity with emergency management planning principles and practices
• Ability to speak in public to provide education and training programs.
• Good interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to maintain highest confidentiality when dealing with sensitive or private information.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Physical effort for inspections is light most of the time, with lifting or carrying limited to 25 pounds intermittently. There is a need to deliver training and education, which may involve several hours of public speaking in front of employee groups and the public. Report preparation and writing will at times require use of a keyboard.

Firefighting requires the ability to stand, climb ladders, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, and reach; to walk or run on uneven surfaces; and to drag in excess of 150 pounds. There is frequent lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 50 pounds and regular moving of objects up to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions:

Inspection work is performed in a normal office environment or at sites being evaluated or inspected. Walking, including the use of stairs, occasional driving or riding is required. Occasional exposure to loud noise may be expected.

Firefighting and EMS involves calls to emergency situations. There is exposure to very disagreeable working conditions such as fumes, fire, smoke, extreme weather conditions including ice, snow, extremely high and low temperatures, humidity, rain, dirt, and mud. The work involves exposure to hazardous conditions such as toxic chemicals, slippery conditions, working in traffic areas and adverse road conditions. Emergency scenes may present exposure to injury, trauma, blood-borne pathogens, traffic accidents, and visual and emotional trauma. Staff is required to take appropriate safety precautions and wear protective equipment.

Fire investigators may be exposed to extended work periods, extremes of weather/temperature, uneven terrain, trip, fall and electrical hazards, byproducts of combustion, adverse sights, smells and textures and situations.

Position contingent upon background check, medical exams and drug testing.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements