FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTOR I

City of Stockton, CA; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Stockton, CA, is hiring two Fire Prevention Inspector I positions in the Fire Prevention Division. Under supervision, you perform routine inspections, enforce fire and life safety codes, and support plan reviews and public education programs.

Candidates need a high school diploma or GED with relevant experience; an AA degree substitutes for one year of experience. A California driver license is required and the inspector certification must be completed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with two years of related work experience in fire service, hazmat, public safety, code enforcement, building inspection, evidence collection, or field investigations.
• An Associate of Arts degree can substitute for one year of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Conducts inspections of new construction and commercial facilities to ensure fire code compliance.
• Prepares detailed inspection reports and follows up on violations.
• Advises developers, contractors, and owners on fire prevention and code enforcement matters.
• Interprets codes and coordinates with other city services on inspections.

Skills

Fire inspection

Code enforcement

Public safety

Report writing

Education

High school diploma or GED

AA degree substitution for one year of experience

Job description

DEFINITION

EXAMINATION DATE: Week of December 08, 2026 (TENTATIVE)

The City of Stockton is currently seeking to fill two (2) Fire Prevention Inspector I vacancies in the Fire Prevention Division.

The Stockton Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division has a proud and rich history of providing the City of Stockton with fire and life safety prevention services. It is the intent of the Fire Prevention Division to provide an effortless service to prevent or reduce the risk of fires, hazardous materials storage and other threat risks, and ultimately enforce the necessary safeguards to the lives, welfare, and economy of the community.

The Fire Prevention Division is operated in a business‑like manner, providing responsive customer‑friendly service. The division utilizes various databases in conjunction with other city and county departments to identify various occupancies that may require fire inspections. Inspections are then conducted to ensure code compliance. Inspectors assigned to this division are responsible for a variety of duties including site and building inspections, manage inspection records and reports for all occupancy classifications, enforcing fire code, new development, plan review process, special events, public education and community relations, code development, and arson investigation.

Prior to appointment, eligible candidates will be required to submit to and successfully pass a medical examination, which will include a back evaluation and a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.

Under general supervision, this civilian class performs skilled inspection and enforcement activities related to the enforcement of fire, life safety, and related codes and ordinances; performs related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Fire Prevention Inspector I This is the entry‑level class in the Fire Prevention Inspector series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine inspection duties while learning City policies and procedures, applicable codes, and specific methods and requirements for fire prevention inspection and enforcement. This class is alternately staffed with Fire Prevention Inspector II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after successfully completing a one‑year probationary period and gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meets the qualifications for the higher level class.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Illustrative Only)

• Conducts inspections of new construction and fire protection systems and periodic inspections of commercial, industrial, and other facilities to ensure compliance with fire, life safety, and related codes and ordinances.
• Prepares detailed reports on conditions and violations and conducts follow-up inspection as required.
• Investigates complaints regarding fire hazards, hazardous materials problems, and related violations.
• Advises developers, contractors, property owners, and the public in matters related to fire prevention, code enforcement, and hazardous materials storage and disposal.
• Interprets codes and regulations and explains permit programs and compliance conditions.
• Coordinates fire prevention inspection work with that of building inspection, safety, public health, and related City and local agency services.
• Reviews applications and issues permits for fuel storage, hazardous materials storage and disposal, and specified warehousing activities.
• Assists in developing programs and conducts on‑site training in schools, hospitals, and various public locations.
• Observes, tests, and demonstrates use of various fire protection and detection systems and equipment and fire extinguishers.
• Utilizes computer software to record and track inspections on line; prepares a variety of specialized records, reports, and correspondence related to the work.
• Maintains current knowledge of codes, regulations, construction methods and materials, and fire protection and detection systems.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

Fire Prevention Inspector I: Possession of a high school diploma or GED and two years of responsible work experience requiring effective communication skills in one or more of the following areas: fire service, hazmat, public safety, code enforcement, building inspection, evidence collection, field investigations, or research requiring the interpretation of complex data. Possession of an Associate of Arts degree in any area may be substituted for one year of the required work experience.

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid Class C California driver's license by time of appointment, which must be maintained as a condition of employment.
• Must successfully complete the State Fire Marshall Inspector Certification program as a condition of continuing employment.
• Must possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job, including sufficient mobility and stamina to inspect industrial/commercial and/or other facilities or establishments, including walking over a variety of terrain, bending, climbing, stooping, and kneeling.
• Must be willing to work in both indoor and outdoor environments and around a variety of chemicals.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Knowledge Of

• Federal, state, and local codes, ordinances and regulations relating to fire and life safety, hazardous materials storage and disposal, and building construction;
• Principles and methods used in building construction;
• Fire protection, detection and suppression systems, materials, and equipment;
• Business mathematics related to calculating fire protection and suppression system requirements;
• Fire inspection practices and methods, including techniques for dealing with the public in stressful situations.

Skill In

• Understanding and following written instructions;
• Performing thorough and accurate facility inspections for code enforcement purposes;
• Interpreting and applying complex codes and regulations;
• Reading and interpreting plans and specifications;
• Investigating complaints, evaluating alternatives, and facilitating or implementing appropriate solutions;
• Preparing and maintaining a variety of professional‑level reports, records, and correspondence utilizing computer software and related office equipment;
• Dealing courteously, but firmly, with individuals contacted in the course of the work, including resolving problems and conflicts;
• Exercising and maintaining effective organizational and time management skills;
• Exercising sound independent judgement within established guidelines.

The Examination

Applicants who qualify in terms of relevant work experience and education, that best meet the needs of the City, will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may include a training and experience evaluation weighted 100%. However, the City reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods if deemed necessary. Candidates must receive a minimum passing score of 70%, as determined by the relative performance of all candidates in all portions of the examination. In the event of identical ratings, candidates' names will be arranged in order of application date/time, and, if the same, then arranged alphabetically.

Additional Information About Application Submission

All applications and supplemental questionnaires must be completed fully and submitted on an official City of Stockton application form. Incomplete applications and supplemental questionnaires will be rejected and cannot be revised after submission on or before the final filing date. Postmarks, facsimiles, and photocopies of the City’s employment application will not be accepted. Resumes are welcomed but should be submitted as additional information only. Please do not state “REFER TO RESUME”.

Benefit Information

For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect, see the “Stockton City Employees’ Association (SCEA)” contract.

Veteran’s Preference

Applicants who pass the examination process and have served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the United States Coast Guard, for at least 181 consecutive days and have been honorably discharged, may receive five (5) Veteran’s Preference Points for original entrance into the civil service. Veteran’s Preference Points will not be granted on the promotional list.

Application Questionnaire Items

01.

• I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

02.

• Yes
• No

03.

• Pattern I: Associate Degree in AND one (1) year of responsible work experience requiring effective communication skills in one or more of the following areas: fire service, hazmat, public safety, code enforcement, building inspection, evidence collection, field investigations, or research requiring the interpretation of complex data.
• Pattern II: High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of responsible work experience requiring effective communication skills in one or more of the following areas: fire service, hazmat, public safety, code enforcement, building inspection, evidence collection, field investigations, or research requiring the interpretation of complex data.
• I do not qualify under either of the above listed patterns.

04.

Briefly describe your experience of responsible work experience requiring effective communication skills in one or more of the following areas: fire service, hazmat, public safety, code enforcement, building inspection, evidence collection, field investigations, or research requiring the interpretation of complex data. If none, type "N/A" in the box below.

05.

• Yes
• No

06.

• Yes
• No

07.

• Fire Inspector 1
• Fire Inspector 2
• Fire Investigator
• Fire Marshal
• N/A

08.

• Yes
• No

09.

• Yes
• No

10.

• Yes
• No

11.

• Yes
• No

12.

• Scan and attach to the online application (preferred method); or
• Email a copy of your form to [e-mail] no later than the final filing date (use "FF Trainee/EMT" in the subject line of the email); or
• Yes
• No
• Required Question