Senior Fire Inspector

Port Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Port Houston is seeking a Senior Fire Inspector to lead complex fire prevention inspections across our facilities and operations, applying advanced technical knowledge to marine terminals, warehouses, and administrative buildings. You will supervise Fire Inspectors, coordinate with contractors, ensure compliance with NFPA and state codes, prepare reports, conduct drills, and provide training.

This role requires strong leadership, regulatory expertise, and a commitment to safety and emergency

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible fire inspection experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection or related field preferred.
• 8+ years of firefighting experience preferred.
• Current Texas driver’s license required.
• Fire Officer I certification required; Fire Officer II preferred.
• TCFP Fire Inspector certification required; Marine Firefighter certifications within 1 year may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead Fire Inspectors and review performance.
• Conduct plan reviews and fire inspections to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Coordinate with contractors for inspections and maintenance of fire protection systems.
• Prepare inspection reports for hydrants, extinguishers, and other fire protection equipment.
• Provide training and technical guidance to staff, tenants, and contractors.
• Enforce state, local, tariff, and Port Houston fire codes.

Skills

Leadership

Fire inspections

Regulatory knowledge

Team supervision

Communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Five years of fire inspection experience

Bachelor’s degree preferred

8+ years firefighting experience preferred

Job description

Thank you for considering a career at Port Houston. We appreciate your interest in joining our team. By applying, you are taking an important step toward advancing your career with an organization committed to excellence.

Port Houston offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a diverse, inclusive work environment. Joining our team means embarking on a fulfilling career path with opportunities for growth and impact.

Position Summary

The Senior Fire Inspector leads complex fire prevention inspections, evaluates fire and life safety risks, and supports code compliance across Port Houston facilities and operations. The position applies advanced technical knowledge to marine terminals, warehouses, administrative buildings, maintenance facilities, and other port properties.

Provides leadership and oversight to Fire Inspectors, including plan reviews, fire inspections, public education, and enforcement of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, Port Houston Tariff requirements, and Port Houston fire codes. Coordinates with specialty contractors to ensure the completion of annual and required inspections, testing, and maintenance of fire pumps, fire hose, fire ladders, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, cascade systems, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Prepares and maintains inspection reports and documentation for fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, and other fire protection systems and equipment.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

• Provides leadership and reviews performance of Fire Inspectors
• Working with operational leaders, engineering teams, tenants, contractors, and emergency response personnel, the Senior Fire Inspector identifies hazards, recommends corrective actions, and verifies that fire protection measures support safe operations and emergency readiness.
• Ensure adequate preventative measures are being taken to minimize threat of harm to Port Houston, its users, tenants and visitors
• Lead routine inspections for new and existing buildings and fire protection systems to ensure local ordinances and state laws pertaining to fire and life safety are maintained
• Conduct and oversee monthly fire extinguishers and fire hydrant inspections and testing
• Conduct and oversee annual fire extinguisher inspections with certified outside contractors
• Ensure all fire pumps are inspected and tested annually, and be able to provide such documentation upon request for review
• Ensure all SCBAs are tested and inspected according to state regulations and be able to provide such documentation upon request for review
• Ensure all Cascade Systems are tested and inspected according to state regulations and be able to provide such documentation upon request for review
• Ensure all fire hose and ladders are tested and inspected according to state regulations and be able to provide such documentation upon request for review
• Monitor Hot Work within Port Houston; ensure compliance
• Monitor hazardous cargo placement on the terminal and insure placement and segregation in accordance with Port Houston regulations
• Prepare pre-fire plans and conduct building inspections
• Conduct fire drills and training at Port Houston facilities
• Meet with other departments on projects or leases regarding fire protection
• Enforce state, local, tariff, and Port Houston fire code
• Deliver fire prevention education and technical guidance to employees, tenants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain inspection records, track recurring deficiencies, and analyze trends to recommend improvements in prevention practices.
• Serve as a technical resource for inspectors and operational personnel; assist with training, complex inspections, and quality review of inspection documentation.
• Work with the Fire Chief and Fire Training Officer in development of annual budget for inspection and fire prevention activities
• The position exercises independent judgment within established policies and delegated authority.
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
• Perform other duties as required

Education/Experience

• High School diploma or GED equivalent required
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in fire inspection, fire prevention, fire protection, or closely related work, including experience independently conducting inspections and managing corrective actions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection or related field preferred.
• Experience inspecting industrial, maritime, petrochemical, logistics, or other complex facilities preferred.
• 8+ years of related firefighting experience required

License/Certification

• A current, valid Texas driver’s license is required
• Fire Officer I certification required
• Fire Officer II certification preferred
• TCFP Structural Firefighter basic, intermediate, and advanced certification required
• TCFP Structural Masters preferred
• TCFP Hazardous Materials Technician certification required
• TCFP Marine Firefighter basic, intermediate, and advanced certifications required within 1 year.
• TCFP Marine Firefighter Masters preferred.
• TCFP Fire Inspector required
• Emergency Medical Technician basic required
• Valid driver’s license and eligibility to operate Port Houston vehicles.
• A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) must be obtained within 30 days of appointment, and be maintained for the duration of employment

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors

• Working knowledge names and location of Port Houston facilities and buildings including accesses and exits, driving lanes, docks, facility cranes of all types, auxiliary fire pumps, and like amenities of any tenant utilizing Port Houston property and under our response jurisdiction
• Knowledge of Port Houston tariffs and USCG requirements
• Knowledge of Code of Federal Regulations
• Knowledge of NFPA 10: Portable fire extinguishers
• Knowledge of Fire Code 2015
• Knowledge of industrial processes and emergency response
• Knowledge of industrial processes and emergency response
• Knowledge of fire boat operations and marine firefighting
• Supervisory skills
• Interpersonal and situational awareness skills
• Organization and time management skills
• Knowledge of correct passing criteria for equipment
• Knowledge of marketing and financial planning
• Ability to keep required certifications
• Oral and written communications skills
• Scheduling and time management skills
• Ability to work as a team
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings
• Considered essential employees and may be required to work on holidays, evenings, nights, and be immediately recalled for emergencies at any time. They must remain available and “on call” 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dependent on emergency

Key Competencies Required

• Contributing to Team Success.
• Advanced knowledge of fire prevention principles, fire and life safety inspection methods, and applicable fire protection standards.
• Ability to interpret and apply adopted codes, approved plans, technical specifications, and organizational procedures.
• Effective Communication
• Managing Work
• Safety Awareness
• Dependable Follow Through
• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills

This work site location of this job is:

Port Coordination Center

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job.It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

We appreciate your interest in Port Houston. Port Houston is an equal employment opportunity employer. Port Houston’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Port Houston also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.