Part Time Fire Inspector

Burke County Government; Morganton, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Burke County is seeking a part-time Fire Marshal/Inspector to enforce codes and promote public health and safety through fire inspections and investigations. The position requires approximately 19 hours per week and works with state and local emergency management during events.

Requirements include a High School Diploma or GED, NC driver’s license, and several ICS/HazMat certifications. The role offers a flexible schedule and is posted with a closing date of October 2.

Qualifications

• Requires High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be able to communicate clearly in writing and verbally.
• Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in using measuring devices and interpreting guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Enforces codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations via fire inspections in Burke County.
• Conducts fire origin and cause investigations and related duties.
• Responds to missing persons, threats, rescues, and hazardous incidents.
• Assists in fire review plans, alarm, and sprinkler inspections.
• Educates the public on fire prevention.
• Maintains credentials through training and education.
• Liaisons with state and local emergency services during events.
• Coordinates resources with state emergency management for inspections.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

English proficiency

Instruction delivery

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Measuring devices

Equipment operation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Opportunities

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Hiring Range: $20 - $28 per hour, commensurate with experience

Closing Date: October 2nd at 5pm

*This is a part - time position with some flexibility in scheduling. Candidate should have the ability to work weekly, with working time not to exceed an average of 19 hours per week*

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This position interprets, enforces, and ensures compliance with North Carolina, federal, and local codes, laws, ordinance, and regulations to promote public health and safety. Position requires approximately 19 hours of work per workweek.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To successfully perform this position, an individual must be able to perform the following:

• Enforces North Carolina, federal, and local codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations compliance by conducting fire inspections throughout Burke County
• Performs fire origin and cause investigations and other emergency response related duties, including, but not limited to, responding to fire related complaints; collects and logs evidence obtained during investigations
• Receives and responds to missing or lost person reports, bomb threats, wilderness rescues, water rescues, wildfires, and hazardous materials incidents
• Assists in fire review plans, fire alarm inspections, and fire sprinkler inspection
• Educates the general public on fire prevention tactics
• Ensures that credentials remain active through in-field and classroom training, testing, and continuing education
• Serves as a liaison between state and local emergency management services during emergency events or disasters
• Coordinates resources with state emergency management to ensure that proper resources and supplies for fire inspections are maintained
• Performs other duties as required or assigned

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (UPON HIRE, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED):

• Valid North Carolina's Driver's License
• Incident Command Systems ("ICS") Course 100, 200, 700, and 800
• Hazardous Materials Level 1 Responder Certification
• Fire Investigator Technician Certification through the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (within 1 year of hire)
• ICS 400, Advanced ICs-Complex Incidents (within 1 year of hire)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES:

• Standard vision requirements, with or without corrective lenses
• Occasionally spends time climbing or balancing and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling
• Routinely lifts up to twenty-five (25) pounds
• Routinely spends time sitting, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, and engaging in repetitive motion
• Frequently lifts up to ten (10) pounds
• Frequently spends time standing, walking, speaking or hearing, and using hands and fingers to handle, feel, type, or text
• Must be able to express and exchange ideas through verbal communication
• Must be able to prepare and analyze written or computer data
• Must be able to engage in visual inspections involving small parts
• Must be able to observe general surroundings and activities
• Working in situations without following safety measures and not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment ("PPE") may result in situations that could result in total disability, critical illness, or loss of life
• Frequent exposure to somewhat disagreeable elements
• Individuals are occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold (non-weather), and extreme heat (non-weather), vibrations, breathing apparatus, and bloodborne pathogens
• Individuals are occasionally required to work near moving mechanical parts, work in high, precarious places, work with risk of electrical shock, and work with explosives
• Individuals are routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions
• Subjected to considerable mental effort and potential stressful situations during day to day operations

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Ability to convey detailed instructions loudly, accurately, and quickly
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to recognize information at normal spoken word levels
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to use measuring devices
• Ability to assemble or fabricate parts within arm's length
• Ability to operate and use systems, technologies, motor vehicles, and machines required to perform duties of the position
• Ability to select, evaluate, and interpret data from several sources, such as guidelines, policies, and procedures
• Ability to receive detailed instructions or information through verbal communication

Application Process

Burke County paper applications can be obtained at the Human Resources office, located at 200 Avery Ave. Morganton, NC, Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm; online applications are available at: www.burkenc.org .Completed applications should provide a complete work history, including a detailed and thorough list of job duties. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Burke County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, genetic information, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Category Fire Marshal Status Open Salary Hiring Range: $20 - $28 per hour, commensurate with experience Posted September 1, 2026 8:00 AM Closing October 2, 2026 5:00 PM