Fire Inspector/Plans Examiner III
City of Lakeland
A complete application in a minute
Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.
Job summary
The City of Lakeland seeks a highly experienced Fire Inspector/Plans Examiner to lead advanced fire prevention activities across complex inspections, plan reviews, and investigations.
You will mentor staff, interpret codes, and coordinate with architects, engineers, and developers to ensure life safety and compliance. The role includes oversight of major construction projects and fire protection systems within designated zones.
Qualifications
- Associate degree or higher required with progression to senior technical level.
- Four years of progressively responsible experience in fire prevention, inspections, plans review, and investigations.
- State Firefighter II certification required; Fire Safety Inspector I & II certifications; NFPA Fire Plans Examiner certification; Fire Investigator certification.
Responsibilities
- Provides leadership, training, technical guidance, and mentoring to Fire Inspectors and prevention personnel.
- Assists in coordinating fire prevention activities, inspections, investigations, and plans review operations.
- Coordinates fire prevention activities and operational coverage within assigned geographic zones as a lead technical resource.
- Assists with development and implementation of fire prevention policies, procedures, and standards.
- Participates in special projects, code updates, prevention initiatives, and departmental planning activities.
Education
Job description
General Description Of Class
This is advanced technical and administrative fire prevention work involving complex fire inspections, plans review, fire investigations, code interpretation, code enforcement activities, and prevention program coordination. Employees in this advanced-level classification of the Fire Inspector/Plans Examiner series serve as senior technical resources and advisors to department personnel, contractors, developers, and external agencies while providing leadership in the administration and enforcement of fire prevention laws, codes, ordinances, and standards. Work includes oversight and coordination of complex inspections, major construction projects, fire protection systems, fire investigations, prevention activities, and operational coverage within assigned geographic zones. Employees exercise considerable independent judgment, mentor lower-level personnel, and may serve in an acting Fire Marshal capacity as assigned under the general direction of the Fire Marshal.
General Description Of Class
This is advanced technical and administrative fire prevention work involving complex fire inspections, plans review, fire investigations, code interpretation, code enforcement activities, and prevention program coordination. Employees in this advanced-level classification of the Fire Inspector/Plans Examiner series serve as senior technical resources and advisors to department personnel, contractors, developers, and external agencies while providing leadership in the administration and enforcement of fire prevention laws, codes, ordinances, and standards. Work includes oversight and coordination of complex inspections, major construction projects, fire protection systems, fire investigations, prevention activities, and operational coverage within assigned geographic zones. Employees exercise considerable independent judgment, mentor lower-level personnel, and may serve in an acting Fire Marshal capacity as assigned under the general direction of the Fire Marshal.
- Provides leadership, training, technical guidance, and mentoring to Fire Inspectors and prevention personnel.
- Assists in coordinating fire prevention activities, inspections, investigations, and plans review operations.
- Coordinates fire prevention activities and operational coverage within assigned geographic zones and serves as a lead technical resource for personnel assigned to those areas.
- Assists with the development and implementation of fire prevention policies, procedures, and operational standards.
- Assists the Fire Marshal with the coordination of prevention division activities, workload assignments, and operational priorities.
- Develops and facilitates training related to fire prevention, code enforcement, plans review, and fire investigation activities.
- Reviews and evaluates complex code interpretation issues and provides recommendations to the Fire Marshal.
- May serve in an acting Fire Marshal capacity during absences or as assigned.
- Assists with the evaluation and development of prevention personnel competencies.
- Reviews inspection reports, plans review comments, and investigative documentation for technical accuracy, consistency, and compliance with departmental standards.
- Participates in special projects, code updates, prevention initiatives, and departmental planning activities.
- Serves as a subject matter expert regarding fire code enforcement, interpretation, and fire protection systems for the Fire Department, City staff, and external stakeholders.
- Performs and coordinates review of highly complex commercial, industrial, institutional, and special hazard construction plans.
- Reviews fire protection and life safety systems for compliance with applicable codes and standards.
- Coordinates with architects, engineers, developers, and contractors regarding complex code requirements and alternative methods of compliance.
- Conducts inspections of high-risk, high-occupancy, and specialized facilities.
- Coordinates enforcement actions involving significant life safety hazards or recurring compliance issues.
- Provides technical assistance related to specialized fire protection systems and hazardous processes.
- Conducts acceptance and functioning tests on underground fire lines, fire sprinkler systems, alarm systems, and fire suppression systems.
- Checks the installation of all above-ground and underground flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks.
- Monitors fireworks and pyrotechnic operations/events for compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
- Inspects buildings during all phases of construction.
- Conducts inspections of commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family occupancies for compliance with fire prevention regulations and standards.
- Educates property owners and business representatives regarding fire hazards, corrective actions, and compliance requirements.
- Works closely with other City, county, and state departments to maintain uniformity of code interpretations and policies.
- Investigates complaints, reports of hazardous conditions, and illegal burning in the City.
- Leads complex or high-profile fire origin and cause investigations.
- Conducts fire origin and cause investigations and coordinates investigative activities with appropriate agencies as required.
- Reviews investigative findings and documentation for accuracy and completeness.
- Produces and maintains records of all plan reviews, fire inspections, and fire investigations.
- Prepares and delivers presentations relating to fire prevention.
- Must be available for scheduled on-call fire investigations as required.
- May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
- May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
- Position is designated as Mission Critical.
- Associate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Four years of progressively responsible experience as a Fire Inspector/Plan Examiner at Lakeland Fire Department in fire suppression, fire prevention, inspections, plans review, fire investigations, code enforcement, or related fire service functions.
- Must possess and maintain a State of Florida Firefighter II certification.
- Must possess and maintain a State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I and II certification.
- Must possess and maintain a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Certification as a Fire Plans Examiner.
- Must possess and maintain a State of Florida Fire Investigator certification.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
- Must possess or successfully obtain a State of Florida Fire Instructor I certification within 90 days of appointment.
- Must live within 25 miles of the Fire Department Administration Office within one year from the date of employment.
- Position requires being on-call on a regular rotation for fire investigation.
- May be required to work as a firefighter during large-scale incidents.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Mechanical, chemical, and related characteristics of various flammable, explosive, and similar materials.
- Rules and regulations of the Fire Department, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
- Federal and state fire prevention laws, codes, standards, and fire protection systems.
- Interpret complex construction and fire protection plans.
- Coordinate prevention activities and projects.
- Analyze and resolve complex code interpretation issues.
- Provide leadership and technical guidance to staff.
- Prepare technical reports and presentations.
- Exercise independent judgment in administering and enforcing fire prevention laws, codes, and policies.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, property owners, officials, and the public.
- Enforce regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially.
- Express ideas clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Work involves office, field inspection, construction site, and emergency response activities requiring standing, walking, climbing ladders, navigating uneven terrain, and occasional lifting of equipment and materials, including exerting up to 70 pounds of force.
- May be exposed to hazardous environments, including fire scenes, construction sites, combustible materials, and varying weather conditions.
- Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.
All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.
The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.
Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:
Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*
Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.
For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768.
Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.
For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.
Plan C Employee 4.52%
Employer 15.54%
Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits
Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire
Employer 15.54%
A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.
Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.
Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.
Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.
Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.
Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.
Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).
Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.
Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.
Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.
For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.
A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.
For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.
(refer to handout in new employee folder)
An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.
Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.
Free while at work.
Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.
For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.
For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.
For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
