Fire Inspector

City of Winston-Salem, NC; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Winston-Salem, NC is hiring for a Fire Inspector role to enforce fire codes and inspect structures for hazards. Under supervision, you will issue permits, investigate complaints, and contribute to community safety through education programs.

The position requires NC driver’s license, firefighter and inspector certifications, and at least a high school diploma with fire science coursework. Training and advancement opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with fire science coursework and related experience.
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license (Class C or greater).
• NC Firefighter certifications; reciprocity from other states considered.
• NC Fire Inspector I certification or higher; documentation required upon application.
• Within three years, NC Fire Inspector II certification or higher.
• Instructor and Fire & Life Safety Educator certifications are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Enforce state and local fire prevention codes under supervision.
• Inspect facilities for fire hazards per NC Fire Code and local ordinances.
• Investigate complaints and report hazardous conditions; order corrections as needed.
• Prepare and track detailed inspection reports.
• Issue permits as authorized by code and ordinances; issue citations.
• Establish fire lanes as required by city ordinance.
• Plan evacuation programs and evaluate fire drills.
• Conduct public fire and life safety education programs.
• Assist with fire investigations under supervision of experienced investigators.
• Compile concise reports and sketches describing observations and actions.
• Provide training on risk reduction to other fire service personnel.
• Assist in budgeting and performance improvements for community safety.

Skills

Computer literacy

Report writing

Regulatory enforcement

Hazard recognition

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma with fire science courses

Firefighter certifications (NC)

Fire Inspector I certification (NC)

Fire Inspector II certification (NC)

Instructor certification (NC)

Fire & Life Safety Educator certifications (NC)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Under immediate supervision, performs responsible and technical work in the enforcement of state and local fire prevention codes; does related work as required.
• Inspects facilities, sites, and buildings for fire hazards and general compliance with the North Carolina Fire Code and applicable City ordinances.
• Answers and investigates complaints and reports of hazardous conditions and orders corrections.
• Prepares and tracks reports on inspections assigned.
• Issues permits as authorized by state code and City ordinances.
• Issues citations and obtains summons for fire code violations.
• Establishes and enforces fire lanes as authorized by City ordinance.
• Plans evacuation programs, evaluates fire drills and conducts discussions on general and specific fire hazards as assigned.
• Conducts and assists with public fire and life safety education programs.
• Assists with the investigation of fire and explosion incidents under the guidance of experienced fire investigators.
• Compiles detailed yet concise reports and sketches describing observations, findings, and actions.
• Provides training to other fire service personnel on topics of community risk reduction.
• Assists in projecting budgetary needs.
• Assists in assessing performance and implementing changes intended to improve performance as well as community safety and resiliency.

Requirements

• Any education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma, supplemented by fire science courses or related fields and some experience in fire suppression and fire prevention methods and techniques. General knowledge of state fire codes and local ordinances; general knowledge of modern principles and techniques of fire prevention, fire investigation and building construction; ability to recognize existing and potential fire hazards in a wide variety of structures and installations; ability to proficiently use computer systems for fire inspections; ability to understand and carry out oral and written reports; ability to enforce rules and regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid North Carolina driver's license at the Class C Level or greater.
• Possession and maintenance of Firefighter certifications issued by the State of North Carolina. Firefighter certifications issued by other states will be considered if deemed acceptable for reciprocity or equivalent credit by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Possession and maintenance of Fire Inspector I certification or higher as issued by the State of North Carolina. Fire inspector certifications issued by other states will NOT be considered unless explicitly authorized in writing by the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board. This documentation must be provided with the submitted employment application.
• Within three years of employment, possession and subsequent maintenance of Fire Inspector II certification or higher as issued by the State of North Carolina. Fire inspector certifications issued by other states will NOT be considered equivalent.
• Possession of Instructor and Fire & Life Safety Educator certifications issued by the State of North Carolina is highly desirable. Applicants currently possessing these certifications should include applicable documentation as attachments to their employment application.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs.; ability to operate department vehicles; ability to climb stairs, ladders and maneuver up to 1 mile; work with large and small objects; ability to read, write and interpret, hear and speak well enough to communicate with others daily and on the incident scene.
• This position will work outdoors and indoors and may be exposed to heights, changing weather, extreme temperatures, adverse smells, conditions, sights, loud sounds and repetitive operations; ability to wear department issued safety equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus without restriction.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment NFPA 1582-compliant physical provided by the department physician and an annual fit test and fitness-for-duty test.