Senior Fire Inspector

Bluffton; Bluffton (SC); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluffton Fire District is seeking a Fire Inspector to enforce fire codes and inspect residential, commercial and industrial facilities for life safety compliance. You will document violations, review alarm and suppression systems, and coordinate enforcement actions with city and state agencies.

The role includes public education, community risk reduction activities, and ongoing certification maintenance. A strong knowledge of NFPA standards and safe building practices is essential.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.
• Knowledge of city, state and NFPA standards.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies and regulations.
• Experience with public safety or fire prevention programs preferred.
• Proven ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes.
• Identify, document and track code violations.
• Review systems for operational readiness and code compliance.
• Interpret codes for public, contractors and agencies.
• Develop hazardous materials information for facilities.
• Conduct public education and risk-reduction activities.
• Perform data entry and maintain inspection records.
• Attend trainings and maintain required certifications.

Skills

Fire inspections

Code compliance

Public speaking

Documentation

Microsoft Office

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree in fire science

ICC Fire Plans Examiner

ICC Fire Inspector II Certification

IAAI-FIT Fire Investigation Technician

IFSAC/ProBoard Fire Officer I

ICS 300

ICS 400

NFA Interview/Trial Testimony training

NFA Fire Protection Plan Review training

Tools

Fire District databases

Reporting software

Job description

Position Summary

This position is responsible for understanding and administering inspections to ensure fire code compliance and safe building conditions. This position is responsible for the proper application of fire codes and record maintenance of inspections and related activities. At the request of the Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, or Fire Chief, for investigative purposes can be called to emergencies involving fire, medical and environmental concerns.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Fire Inspections and Code Compliance

• Inspects residential, licensed care, commercial, industrial, multi-story, new, and existing buildings, facilities, and properties to determine compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes.
• Identifies, documents, and tracks code violations through site visits, written notices, certified mail, citations, and legal action when required.
• Reviews construction, occupancy, fire protection, exposure, alarm, suppression, detection, and extinguisher systems for operational readiness and code compliance.
• Interprets local, state, and national fire and life safety codes for the public, contractors, architects, engineers, business owners, vendors, law enforcement, and other agencies.
• Determines whether business emergency plans are required and reviews, evaluates, and processes those plans.
• Research codes, investigates fire and life safety complaints, and takes appropriate enforcement or corrective action.
• Develops, coordinates, and maintains hazardous materials information for facilities within the Fire District’s jurisdiction.
• Works with governmental agencies to support compliance and enforcement of fire codes, standards, hazardous materials requirements, and related regulations.
• Participates in public information, education, and community risk reduction activities, including talks, demonstrations, training programs, station tours, school programs, civic events, and Fire District functions.
• Assists the CRR Educators/Fire Marshal with presentations for community groups, schools, organizations, and institutions.
• Attends special events to support public fire safety.
• Conducts public education programs on topics such as fire extinguisher use, helmet and seatbelt safety, senior and child home safety, and general health and wellness issues.
• Responds to emergency and non-emergency incidents when requested by command staff and within the scope of assigned duties, certifications, and training.
• Provides support at incidents involving fire, motor vehicle accidents, explosions, hazardous materials, medical emergencies, technical rescue, public assistance, and other life-safety concerns.
• Conducts site visits to commercial facilities, hazardous structures, buildings, and assigned areas to maintain familiarity, identify safety concerns, and assist with pre-fire planning updates.
• Cleans, maintains, tests, and inspects Fire District equipment and personal protective equipment; informs the appropriate officer of maintenance needs or equipment problems.
• Performs data entry, incident reports, inspection reports, and related documentation as assigned.
• Maintains files, inspection reports, violation documentation, and related records in accordance with Fire District policies.
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, training sessions, and continuing education activities to maintain required certifications and professional development.
• Meets scheduling and attendance requirements.
• May serve as acting or backup Fire Marshal as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Fire District rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge of city and county ordinances, National Fire Protection Association standards, fire prevention codes, South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, and other applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials, hazardous substance references, bloodborne pathogens, emergency medical methods, and health and safety practices consistent with certifications and licenses held.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately, independently, and within established deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritize assignments, adapt to changing priorities, and manage a high volume of work.
• Skill in operating ladders, two-way radios, cameras, atmospheric and chemical sampling equipment, firefighting tools, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint, as well as Fire District databases and reporting software.
• Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, maintain accurate records, and support code compliance documentation.
• Ability to conduct oneself professionally and engage respectfully with the public, coworkers, supervisors, partner agencies, and elected officials.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions, including lawful orders from superior officers.
• Ability to interpret and apply local policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ability to identify problems, analyze facts, exercise sound judgment, and recommend appropriate conclusions or corrective actions.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful or changing situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, conversations, and information subject to applicable open records laws.
• Ability to organize work, manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications/Coursework

• High School diploma or have attained a GED.
• Associate degree in fire science or related field preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Minimum of at least two (2) years as a Fire Inspector
• ICC Fire Plans Examiner
• ICC Fire Inspector II Certification
• IAAI-FIT® - Fire Investigation Technician
• IFSAC/ProBoard Fire Officer I
• ICS 300
• ICS 400
• Ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire:
  • NFA Interview, Interrogation and Courtroom Testimony or equivalent
  • NFA Fire Protection Plan Review or equivalent;
  • Additional training as determined by the Fire Marshal

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those encountered while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.

• Position requires extensive walking, bending, crawling in various types of buildings, and fire damaged structures.
• This work requires occasional exertion of up to 75-100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Enter buildings under post-fire conditions which might include smoke, residual heat, and limited visibility, in designated personal protective clothing including appropriate respiratory protection.
• Work in high places, open and/or confined spaces.
• Use a variety of tools to remove walls and ceilings, requiring pulling and pushing motions with arms extending overhead for long periods of time, or to force entry into a building.
• Operate district vehicles during the day and at night, using depth perception and peripheral vision in emergency situations, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
• Moves material such as burnt building debris from one place to another using a shovel, rake or rubbish hook to rescue trapped or endangered persons, or to overhaul a burned-out structure.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
• Work may require wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• May be subject to recall during natural or man-made disasters, requiring extended work periods of 24-hour shifts or longer.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Management reserves the right to assign or modify duties as needed. This document does not constitute an employment agreement and may be revised at any time.