Fire Alarm Inspector Jobs in Tulare, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA
Job Type: Full-time permanent
Job Number: 2026-017
Department: Fire
Division: Administration
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The Kings County Fire Department is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of:
Fire Prevention Inspector I/II
Level I: $53,560.00 - $65,353.60 Annually
Level II: $59,155.20 - $72,196.80 Annually
In this critical role, Fire Prevention Inspectors support fire and life-safety initiatives throughout the community. You will conduct plan reviews and field inspections across residential, commercial, industrial, and public occupancies; enforce fire codes and regulations; identify potential hazards; and assist with public education and prevention efforts. Whether you are developing foundational inspection skills or bringing independent, advanced expertise, you will play an essential part in maintaining high safety standards and strengthening the department's mission to protect people and property.
We encourage you to apply today to join a dedicated team committed to serving our community!
To discover what makes Kings County a great place to live and work, click to watch a short video.
Please click here to watch a short video showcasing the exceptional benefits available to our employees.
DUTY SAMPLE
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Inspects new and existing fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, fire hydrant systems, pumping systems, and water storage facilities for compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Conducts routine to complex inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, and public occupancies to ensure compliance with applicable fire, building, electrical, mechanical, and life safety codes, ordinances, and regulations; identifies and documents violations; and conducts follow-up investigations to verify compliance.
• Researches fire prevention standards; Prepares reports and maintains records of fire inspections, including installations of fire protection systems, violations of codes, and other files and records.
• Surveys water supply systems, including hydrants, pumps, and storage facilities, to evaluate water availability and flow for fire prevention and suppression purposes; provides survey results and technical information to fire control field personnel.
• Provides technical information and assistance to fire company personnel; works with other County departments, agencies, and outside organizations to coordinate plan reviews, inspections, and code enforcement activities.
• Develops, presents, and coordinates fire and life safety education programs for the community, including professional and governmental agencies, local schools, community groups, and the public.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years.When completing the work history portion of your application, please include each position title and level held as a separate entry.A resume must be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:

• Equivalent to an associates degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in fire science, fire prevention, building inspection, or a closely related field. (Substitution: Two (2) years of experience equivalent to the classification of Fire Prevention Inspector with Kings County may be substituted for the required education.)

Experience:
Fire Prevention Inspector I:

• One (1) year of experience in fire prevention and inspection within a Fire Prevention Bureau or Fire Department; OR
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in the inspection, enforcement, or administration of regulatory ordinances related to building or fire code compliance.

Fire Prevention Inspector II:

• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience at a level equivalent to a Fire Prevention Inspector I with Kings County.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Certifications:
Fire Prevention Inspector I:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain during a one (1) year probationary period, a valid Fire Inspector I certification issued by the California State Fire Marshal to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate to be maintained throughout employment.

Fire Prevention Inspector II:

• Possession of a valid Fire Inspector I certification issued by the California State Fire Marshal to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate to be maintained throughout employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to travel frequently within and outside of the County.
For a complete description of duties and qualifications, view the detailed job specification:
SELECTION PROCESS: **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER**
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. The selection process may include the following:
(1) Screening committee (pass/fail) and/or
(2) Written examination(pass/fail) and/or
(3) Oral examination (100%) This may include a written practical component (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.
Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Final Date to Apply: August 20, 2026
SME Review: Week of August 24, 2026Oral Examination: Week of September 9 & 10, 2026
Retirement Benefits: Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. The County contracts with the CalPERS for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate. The County has reciprocity with other qualifying public retirement systems in California.
Effective January 1, 2013, all new members to CalPERS, or existing members with more than a 6 month break in service from a qualifying previous public employer, will be enrolled in one of the following CalPERS retirement plans (with three year average final compensation) based on their classification:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 62
Safety - 2.7% at 57
If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 55
Safety - 3% at 55
The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan).
Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit. The County offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County has an Employee Health Center available to Kings County employees and their dependents enrolled in the County health plan.
Deferred Compensation: Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. For more information on the eligibility of a contribution match, please refer to the applicable
Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday. Refer to the for information on the paid holiday closure.
Vacation: Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements.
Sick Leave: Sick Leave is accrued for each hour worked. Accrual rates vary depending on date of hire and bargaining unit agreements. The accumulation of sick leave starts from your first day of employment and sick leave may be requested subsequent to the time it is earned.
Retiree Health Insurance: Upon retirement from the County, and depending on bargaining unit agreements, a percentage of accrued sick leave may be converted to be used to pay for retiree health insurance benefits for eligible employee and spouse.
Education Reimbursement Program: Full-time, permanent employees are eligible to receive up to $500 for units earned toward an associate's degree, or up to $1,500 for units toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Permanent employees who work at least half-time are eligible. Extra help employees are not eligible. Courses must be to increase their knowledge or ability to perform their present job or to prepare for a higher level job with the County. This program is subject to annual funding.
Flexible Benefits Program: Optional program allows employees to pay for certain qualified benefits with pre-tax salary (such as child care expenses, unreimbursed medical costs, or health insurance premiums).
Specialty Pays: See for information.
Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision or procedure described herein may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
01
The application and supplemental questionnaire must be completed fully. The following supplemental questions are used to help determine qualifications and eligibility to continue in the recruitment process. All education and experience used to answer the supplemental questions must be included on the education and work history portion of your application. Incomplete applications or supplemental questionnaires cannot be revised after submission and may be grounds for rejection. Responses such as "see resume" or "see application" or brief general statements will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications may be rejected. By clicking "I Accept" below, I certify that I understand and will follow the application instructions.

• I Accept

02
Do you possess a Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in fire science, fire prevention, building inspection, or a closely related field. (Substitution: Two (2) years of experience equivalent to the classification of Fire Prevention Inspector with Kings County may be substituted for the required education.)

• Yes, I possess a Associate's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in fire science, fire prevention, building inspection, or a closely related field.
• No, I do not possess the education listed above, but I possess additional experience that may substitute for up to two (2) years of education.
• I do NOT possess the required education or substitution of experience.

03
Please provide the levels of completed education you possess. BE SPECIFIC include the following information:1) College or University attended. 2) Major or area of study. 3) Degree received. 4) Number of semester units completed. 5) Date of completion.Type "N/A" if you do not possess any units from an accredited college or university.
04
Which of the following best describes your qualifying experience for this position?

• At least one (1) year of experience in fire prevention and inspection within a Fire Prevention Bureau or Fire Department.
• At least two (2) of increasingly responsible experience in inspection, enforcement, or administration of regulatory ordinances related to building or fire code compliance.
• At least three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in fire prevention and inspection within a Fire Prevention Bureau or Fire Department.
• I do not meet any of the listed experience requirements.

05
Please describe your experience conducting fire or life-safety inspections in residential, com