Contract Fire Inspector Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $107,091.97 - $130,170.95 Annually
Location : Fremont, CA
Job Type: Full-time, regular
Job Number: 26FIR01
Department: Fire
Division: FIR-Hazmat Bureau
Opening Date: 06/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
The Fremont Fire Department is recruiting for the position of Fire Prevention Inspector.
VIEW OUR RECRUITMENT BROCHURE
THE DEPARTMENT
The is committed to protecting life, property, and the environment through emergency response, prevention, preparedness, and community engagement. The Department serves a diverse and growing community and is dedicated to delivering high-quality public safety services through professionalism, collaboration, and innovation. The is a specialized division within the Fire Department, dedicated to safeguarding the Fremont community and promoting a culture of safety and preparedness in the City.
IS THIS THE ROLE FOR YOU?
This position is ideal for a professional who enjoys a balance of technical inspection work, public interaction, investigation, and problem-solving. Fire Prevention Inspectors play a critical role in protecting the community by helping ensure compliance with fire and life safety regulations while educating the public and working collaboratively to resolve hazards and safety concerns.
We're looking for someone who:

• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrates sound judgement
• Has the ability to interpret and apply fire and life safety codes in a fair, consistent, and professional manner
• Is comfortable working independently in the field
• Is a natural team player and collaborator

If you are interested in protecting the community through fire prevention, life safety education, inspections, investigations, and collaborative problem-solving, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a meaningful impact while serving the Fremont community!
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under general supervision, Fire Prevention Inspectors perform administrative, inspection, investigative, and technical work related to the enforcement of fire and life safety regulations, hazardous materials management requirements, municipal codes, and related fire prevention programs.
Responsibilities may include:
• Conducting inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, educational, and high-occupancy facilities
• Researching and interpreting fire and life safety codes
• Investigating complaints, conducting field investigations, and assisting with fire investigations
• Preparing reports, notices, legal documents, and related records
• Issuing citations and enforcement notices when necessary
• Reviewing work plans and issuing permits for specialized operations and special events
• Participating in weed abatement and vegetation management activities
• Providing fire and life safety education and outreach
• Participating in large-scale investigations and special event activitiesHOW TO APPLY
This position will remain open until filled. The first review of applications is July 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (PST). This recruitment may close without notice after this date, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. A resume and supplemental questionnaire (part of the online application) must be submitted with the completed City application.
To be considered for this outstanding employment opportunity, please complete an application online by clicking "Apply" just above this box.
Applicants will be notified electronically via Government Jobs as to their status in the selection process. Please review your settings in government jobs to ensure that you receive all updates regarding your status in the recruitment.
SELECTION PROCESSThe selection process may include individual and/or panel interviews, professional reference checks, fingerprint check for criminal history, and other related components. Only those candidates who have the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Human Resources will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of any special needs a minimum of 5 days in advance of the selection process by calling (510) 494-4660 or emailing .
CONTACT US
For additional information, please contact Human Resources Department at:
The information contained herein is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Fire Prevention Inspector - Class Specification
Definition
Under general supervision, performs administrative, inspection, investigative and technical tasks to assist in the administration, implementation and enforcement of various fire and life safety statutes, certain elements of the hazardous materials management programs, State regulations, City codes and ordinances and related fire prevention policies and procedures. Investigates complaints, completes nuisance abatement investigations and performs related duties as required.
Class Characteristics
This fully qualified journey level, non-sworn classification reports to the Deputy Fire Marshal and is characterized by responsibility for conducting investigations involving fire and life safety codes and related municipal codes and ordinances, to determine violations to gain compliance, and provide training to staff. Assignments and objectives are specified, with the employee responsible for planning and organizing work. Work review is periodic, usually upon employee initiative with the employee presenting alternative courses of action. It is distinguished from the next higher classification of Senior Fire Prevention Inspector by the latter's responsibility to plan, organize and supervise the work of the Division. Incumbents of this classification may be required to work nights, weekends and holidays as necessary to complete assigned duties and responsibilities.
Essential Functions

• Inspects a variety of residential, educational, institutional, commercial, industrial and high occupancy buildings and land for compliance with local, state and national fire codes, and building, administrative, environmental or public health codes as applicable.
• Researches codes for application and interpretation to various conditions; explains violations and appropriate mitigation measures.
• Tests operation of installed fire extinguishing systems; notifies owners and explains and discusses corrections required.
• Issues citations as may be necessary for continued non-compliance.
• Conducts interviews, field investigations and site surveillance.
• Assists with the investigation of fires at the discretion of the Fire Marshal.
• Prepares reports and maintains records of fire inspection and investigation work.
• Participates in large scale investigations with other City personnel or local agencies.
• Reviews work plans and issues permits for specialized commercial/industrial operations, public fires, special events and other activities with owners, architects, engineers, and construction managers for resolution of hazards and violations.
• May inspect sites and buildings before construction or alteration to determine practicability of plans, compliance and regulations, and validity of permits.
• May testify in court cases involving fire prevention, inspection or enforcement proceedings.
• Issues "STOP WORK" and "DO NOT OCCUPY" orders, writes warning letters to negligent owners or contractors, and carries negligent cases through prosecution channels in situations of non-compliance where appropriate; may issue citations as appropriate.
• Develops and presents fire safety education programs.
• Participates in special events or related crowd management activities.
• Prepares written reports, legal documents, memos and letters.
• Prepares case information for and presents evidence at appeal hearings and other legal proceedings.
• Participates in managing the weed abatement and Vegetation Management program.
• May act as advocate in appeal hearings.
• Performs related duties as required by the Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal.

Marginal Functions

• Other duties as assigned.
• May inspect fire suppression systems, construction plans, and work in progress for conformance to appropriate codes and approve fire safety aspects.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: City codes and ordinances related to land use and zoning; building construction and safety; fire prevention concepts and conventions, safety techniques and practices; evidence collection and preservation; basic principles of land use planning; property owner rights; photography; property descriptions; assessor's map systems; court systems and legal procedures; construction materials and methods; conflict resolution techniques; research practices and techniques; technical report writing; arithmetic; basic algebra and geometry; public speaking techniques; practices and techniques of public contact with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; map reading; practices of supervision; techniques of training and evaluation; California Fire, Building and related sections of the Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Housing Codes; automated information systems.
Ability to: Apply inspection, interviewing, investigatory and safety techniques and practices; read, understand and enforce codes and ordinances; perform research; read and follow maps; make sound judgments in stressful situations; operate radio equipment; explain the provisions of codes and ordinances to the general public; identify different materials, animals, plants, chemicals, sounds, odors and other conditions which might result in immediate or potential health, safety or fire hazards; analyze and evaluate observations and information; direct and determine compliance; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with individuals from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; use protective clothing and apparatus; write technical reports; inspect property with unknown hazardous conditions, including uneven terrain; take photographs and measurements; maintain accurate records.
Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.
Education/Experience
Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the job satisfactorily will be considered. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: two years of undergraduate course work from an accredited college or university and two years of experience enforcing codes and ordinances relating to planning, zoning, building, fire, the environment or health and safety, or eighteen months of experience as a Code Enforcement Officer I with the City of Fremont.
Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements
Ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver's License by date of hire is required. Failure to maintain the valid required license shall result in termination of employment.
Possession of Certificates of Completion for the First Responder Inspector Series courses (formerly the Fire Inspector I Series), issued by the California State Fire Marshal. This may be satisfied by completion of either of the following training series:
Legacy Fire Inspector I Series (2014)

• Fire Inspector 1A: Duties and Administration
• Fire Inspector 1B: Fire and Life Safety
• Fire Inspector 1C: Field Inspection
• Fire Inspector 1D: Field Inspection - California Specific
• Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness

OR
First Responder Inspector I Series (eff. 2024):

• First Responder Inspector 1A: Duties and Administration
• First Responder Inspector 1B: Fire and Life Safety
• First Responder Inspector 1C: Field Inspection
• First Responder Inspector 1D: Field Inspection - California Specific

Ability to complete the following within one year of employment:
Fire Inspector 2 Series courses:

• Fire Inspector 2A: Fire Prevention Administration
• Fire Inspector 2B: Fire and Life Safety Requirements
• Fire Inspector 2C: Inspecting New and Existing Fire and Life Safety Systems and Equipment
• Fire Inspector 2D: Hazardous Materials, Operations, and Processes

Fire Investigator 1 Series courses (2022):

• Fire Investigator 1A: Basic Fire Investigation Course Plan
• Fire Investigator 1B: Evidence, Documentation, Interviews, and Wildland Course Plan
• Fire Investigator 1C: Preparation for Legal Proceedings

AND
Completion of Fire Inspector 1 Certification from the California State Fire Marshal's Office, International Code Council (ICC) Certification or equivalent.
Ability to satisfactorily complete a Penal Code 832 -Laws of Arrest course based on department need as recommended by the Fire Marshal.
Desirable Qualifications
Completion of training in the following:

• Fire Inspector 2A: Fire Prevention Administration
• Fire Inspector 2B: Fire and Life Safety Requirements
• Fire Inspector 2C: Inspecting New and Existing Fire and Life Safety Systems and Equipment
• Fire Inspector 2D: Hazardous Materials, Operations, and Processes

Physical and Environmental Demands
Rare = < 10%, Occasional = 11-33%, Frequent = 34-66%, Constant = >66%
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