Senior Fire and Life Safety Inspector

City-of-Delray-Beach,-Fl; Delray Beach (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Delray Beach seeks a Fire Inspection Supervisor to oversee Fire Inspectors, conduct field inspections, review construction plans, and enforce fire prevention codes.

The role requires an Associate degree, five years of fire inspection/plan review experience with two years in supervision, plus relevant certifications. Strong reporting, public interaction, and coordination with engineers and contractors are essential. This on-site position supports community fire safety and preparation.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related field required.
• Five years of progressively responsible fire inspection/plan review experience, including two years in a supervisory role.
• Training in fire inspections, plan review and code enforcement, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and mentors Fire Inspectors.
• Performs field inspections of new/existing buildings during construction.
• Reviews plans, inspection findings, and recommends corrective actions.
• Coordinates with engineers, architects, and contractors on fire safety compliance.
• Enforces fire prevention codes and issues notices where needed.
• Maintains reporting, recordkeeping, and case management in accordance with standards.

Skills

Fire inspection

Plan review

Code enforcement

Supervisory experience

Public outreach

Education

Associate's degree in a related field

Job description

Veterans' Preference Applies

EEO Statement

The City of Delray Beach does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability, marital status, family status or sexual orientation in employment or the provision of services

Non-Smoking

The City of Delray Beach is a Non-Tobacco Workplace. The City will not consider applicants who have used tobacco or nicotine products for a period of at least three months prior to application for employment. The definition of \"tobacco or nicotine products\" includes but is not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes, snuff, e-cigarettes and nicotine patches or gum.

This position performs technical and clerical tasks in fire inspection, prevention, and public education, including responsibility for field enforcement of City Code of Ordinances and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Employee works in accordance with directives received from Fire Chief or designee, however, is expected to exercise considerable independence and initiative.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Supervises, schedules, and reviews the work of Fire Inspectors; provides mentorship, training, and technical guidance.
• Performs field inspections of new/existing buildings during the construction process; compares actual work to planned work to ensure compliance with approved construction plans.
• Conducts plan reviews, reviews inspection findings, and recommends corrective actions.
• Conducts complex and high-profile inspections including post-fire structural evaluations, special event assessments, and hazardous occupancies.
• Leads or delegates notification procedures to the Building Department for structures identified as eminent danger in accordance with established SOGs.
• Ensures timely and accurate reporting, recordkeeping, and case management in compliance with departmental standards.
• Conducts building plan review, demolition inspections, code infraction warnings and citations.
• Enforces fire prevention codes and ordinances firmly, tactfully and impartially.
• Evaluates proposed fire protection elements of a building and assures that they are in accordance with applicable codes.
• Prepares reports and correspondence; reviews and approves fire and life safety violation notices.
• Evaluate alternate suppression systems such as CO2 systems, dry systems and water-based fire suppression systems.
• Participates in pre-construction meetings and coordinates with engineers, architects, and contractors regarding fire safety compliance.
• Ensures continuous compliance with updates to the Florida Fire Prevention Code and applicable NFPA standards.
• Provide technical information to the general public for questions relating to building code requirements.
• Represents the Fire Marshal's Office in interdepartmental meetings, legal proceedings, and public forums.
• Fosters positive employee relations and employee morale on a City-wide basis.

• An Associate's Degree in a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in fire inspection, plan review, or code enforcement, including two (2) years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Training in fire inspections, plan review and code enforcement, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

A comparable combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position, may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Florida State Firefighter Minimum Standards (F.S.S. 633) preferred.
• Florida State Fire Safety Inspector I Certification.
• Fire Safety Inspector II and Fire Investigator certifications preferred.
• Current CPR certification.
• ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
• Valid and current Florida Class E Driver's License.

Working knowledge of Florida Fire Prevention Code, Local, and City ordinances. Ability to read plans (commercial and multi-family residential). Skill in technical writing. Knowledge of computer operations. Ability to supervise the work of subordinate inspectors. Work involves considerable public contact and requires the ability to deal with public relations issues in a professional, tactful and courteous manner. Working knowledge of firefighting principles and practices and fire prevention inspection techniques. Working knowledge of building materials, construction practices and mechanical systems related to fire prevention, fire suppression and the safeguarding of lives and property from fire. Ability to work effectively with others. Ability to communicate effectively orally, non-verbally, and in writing. Ability to manage and prioritize routine, specialized and complex assignments and problems utilizing knowledge acquired through prior education, training, and experience. Ability to adapt to an evolving and continually improving environment. Requires demonstrated ability to utilize personal computer and office software such as MS Word, MS Excel and electronic mail.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Travel from site to site; work in the field, construction site and office environments; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, potentially hazardous chemicals; inspect in restricted spaces. Employee may have to work outside in a subtropical climate under adverse weather conditions and high noise levels. Employee may have to work rotating shifts to include nights, weekends and holidays.

RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:

Employees may be required to participate in response/recovery activities in response to a major emergency or natural disasters affecting City operations. In such situations, every effort will be made to maintain operations, but employees may be assigned to carry out response activities suited to their skills and capabilities.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests might be required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement with the employer, and requirements of the job change. By signing below, I am indicating I have read and concur with the above description of my job.