Fire Inspector Jobs in San Jose, CA (NOW HIRING)

Department Description: 

The Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) is responsible for promoting environmental stewardship and a safe workplace at UCSF while helping to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to occupational safety and the environment.

Job Summary: 

UCSF's Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is dedicated to fostering a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible environment for all faculty, staff, students, patients, and visitors across the University and UCSF Health system. EH&S serves as the central resource for workplace safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance within a complex, multi-site academic health institution.

The department provides comprehensive programs and services that support compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while enabling UCSF's mission of advancing health through research, education, and patient care. Core program areas include biosafety, chemical safety, environmental protection, ergonomics, facilities safety, fire and life safety, industrial hygiene, radiation and laser safety, hazardous materials management, spill response, food facility safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) selection, hazardous building materials, and hazardous waste management, among others.

EH&S partners closely with campus leadership, clinical operations, research programs, and affiliated organizations to proactively identify risks, implement effective controls, and promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility. The department also provides critical support to the UCSF Health system and multiple affiliated entities, ensuring consistent standards and practices across diverse operational settings.

Through a combination of technical expertise, consultation, training, and program development, EH&S plays a vital role in maintaining compliance, reducing risk, and supporting the safe conduct of world-class research, education, and patient care activities at UCSF.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Fire Protection or Fire Science, engineering, chemistry, physics, and architecture or related field. Or A.S. degree in Fire Protection or Fire Science, engineering, chemistry, physics or architecture equivalent and two (2) years of equivalent related work experience / training. 

  Or Four (4) years of equivalent related work experience/ training.

• Ten (10) or more years of relevant work experience

• 5 years' experience in detailed plan review, interpretation, and application of fire, building, and life safety codes and regulations, as well as university policies, procedures, standards, and requirements related to fire extinguishers and Fire protection systems

• Minimum 5 years' experience in fire prevention including experience as a manager or Chief officer of a State, County or municipal fire department prevention bureau

• Expert knowledge / understanding of specific EH&S field and strong knowledge of all EH&S fields.

• Expert knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal 

  regulations including the California Health & Safety Code - Titles 8, 19, and 24, California

• Designation as "Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM)" by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (or ability to attain this designation within 3 months of hire as a condition of employment)

• Certifications from OSFM - CA Fire Service Training & Education System for Fire Prevention Officer 3, Fire Inspector 1, Fire Inspector 2, Fire Plans Examiner, or Fire Marshal (or equivalent)

• Building Standards Codes including California Building Code, California Fire Code, California

• Mechanical Code, California Electrical Code, California Plumbing Code and NFPA standards in the areas of fire protection, life safety and panic safety. This includes legacy codes and standards as necessary

• Significant experience performing a combination of fire prevention inspections, plan review, and construction inspections in a California local or state entity responsible for fire and life safety code and regulation enforcement

• Expert knowledge in the application of fire protection engineering, safety engineering, loss prevention and risk management principles

• Proven experience in the creation, development, and implementation of effective programs, projects, and initiatives to meet assigned goals

• Advanced written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills, including advanced political acumen and skill to deal with diverse constituencies in a highly political environment. Ability to develop teaching aids, such as lesson plans and visual aids

• Skill to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies and senior campus management.

• Proven and solid communication skills including verbal and written, active listening, critical 

  thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills

• Advanced analytical skills and ability to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of high-level and potentially complex projects within budget and time constraints.

• Proven skills to quickly evaluate complex issues, identify resolution, and create effective

• written, comprehensive analyses with recommendations

• Expert skill to effectively represent the organization to state and federal authorities, and community groups

• Expert skill in mentoring or overseeing the work of other EH&S technical and professional staff

• Expert skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.

• Knowledge of general computing principles and the ability to efficiently operate a computer as well as utilizing word processing, database, spreadsheet, graphics, and communications software

• Ability to accurately calculate hydraulics and other mathematical computations, including those associated with fire protection systems. Ability to apply knowledge and make decisions independently and accurately and apply basic principles of fire life safety             

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven management expertise to effectively lead and direct subordinate professional staff in different programs. Solid interpersonal skills to effectively motivate others, skilled in facilitation, managing, coaching, and relationship building

• Experience in managing and approving fire, life and panic safety provisions for large special events

• Minimum 5 years' experience in the application of Joint Commission and California Department of Health standards and regulations.  Joint Commission, NFPA and Federal HHS Life Safety Code Specialist certification preferred

• 5 years' experience as a California Deputy State Fire Marshal

• Previous experience in fire life safety at the University of California. Knowledge of regulations related to biological safety, chemical and toxic materials safety and radiation safety. Prior experience in inspections and regulations for laboratory environments

• Certified California State Fire Prevention Officer I, Fire Investigator I, Joint Apprenticeship committee Journeyman Fire Inspector

• Designation as "Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM)" by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development

Required Licenses:

• Valid CA Driver's License and good driving record, subject to DMV pull notice program      

Required Certifications: 

• Hazardous Materials First Responder Operational and Command Certification
• Designation as "Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM)" by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (or ability to attain this designation within 3 months of hire as a condition of employment)
• Certifications from OSFM - CA Fire Service Training & Education System for Fire Prevention Officer 3, Fire Inspector 1, Fire Inspector 2, Fire Plans Examiner, or Fire Marshal (or equivalent)

10% - Serves as highest-level organization subject matter expert in designated EH&S field or is assigned duties in specific official capacities. Develops, recommends and implements EH&S programs, policies and procedures.

Serves as UCSF subject matter expert on fire and life safety technical, regulatory and legislative issues on campus, including Title 19 California Code of Regulations, Title 24 California Building Standards Code and associated standards. Provides professional, technical and regulatory consultation to the Lead DCFM, professional colleagues, and UCSF campus executives to support UCSF and/or UC system-wide planning. Evaluates fire safety risks on campus, and proposes and implements fire safety programs, policies and procedures to effectively control those risks.

30% - Creates new and complex solutions applying advanced level knowledge / expertise of best practices within multiple technical, professional, scientific, and applied disciplines and makes recommendations and presentations based on accepted scientific methodology.

Under the terms of the UC-OSFM MOU, performs construction plan review, construction observation and code enforcement on behalf of OSFM. Understands and applies OSFM adopted California Code of Regulations (CCR) and appropriate standard requirements to develop creative solutions to complex fire and life safety challenges.

• Provides consultation to the design and project management teams during the design and construction phases to confirm that the proposed fire and life safety plan meets applicable codes. Where there are deficiencies in the proposed fire and life safety plan, provides solutions and, if needed, assists the design team in the presentation of the selected solution to the appropriate OSFM staff.

• Performs preliminary, triage, normal, expedited, and over-the-counter reviews of submittal documents pertaining to the design and construction of UCSF campus facilities in accordance with the CCR, OSFM policy intent notices, code application notices and other applicable codes guidelines and policies, and other reference materials.

• Conducts reviews of plans, specifications, calculations, Alternate Methods of Compliances (AMCs), Post Approval Documents (PADs) and other submittal documents for UCSF campus facilities' fire and life safety systems and construction requirements including, but not limited to, exiting systems, smoke removal systems, automatic fire/smoke detection and alarm systems, automatic fire sprinkler/suppression systems, fire resistive/rated building construction and all related fire and life safety work.

• Conducts construction observation of these same facility fire and life safety systems and construction requirements, as necessary to enforce applicable construction standards, regulations and substantial conformance with the approved plans and specifications. Prepares a written reports of site visits, consistently citing code authority for all construction deemed to violate adopted building codes makes field visits to facilities and construction projects and accurately documents all activities. Maintains facilities files current for each assigned facility and for each construction project from start to finish. Advises project architects, engineers, construction contractors and facility administrators and designated representatives on code related matters.

• Monitors the work of UCSF Real Estate project manager to ensure continuous, adequate and competent inspection of all parts and phases of fire and life safety work in accordance with Title 24 Part 1, CCRs and other inspection provisions of the California Building Standards Code.  Advises project managers on code-related matters and on the proper procedures for filing construction documents to achieve Certificate of Occupancy with UCSF Building Permit Services.  Monitors compliance with the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Program. 

• Triages submittals and Post Approval Documents (PADs) for completeness, establishes the appropriate type of review, estimates the review hours needed, completes the appropriate level of review and accurately documents all review activities.

• Conducts field observation and/or performs field triage and review of construction plans, specifications, AMCs, PADs and other submittal documents as directed.

• Makes technical and code compliance decisions related to the reviews conducted, corresponds and communicates with facility project personnel as to the status of the project reviews, and consistently cites code authority for all proposals, plans, specifications and other submittal documents deemed to violate applicable codes. Initiates or recommends changes that promote innovative solutions to meet customer needs.

• Consults with, makes recommendations, and provides technical assistance to professional engineers, architects, building and fire officials, campus administrators and their designated representatives, construction contractors, OSFM plan review and construction observation staff and state and local officials regarding planning concepts, design, building regulations, etc. Prepares written reports and/or correspondence in a professional, clear, concise, legible manner, consistently citing justification and/or code authority where appropriate.

• Ensures compliance with the documentation requirements of OSFM. Responds to fire scenes as appropriate. May perform fire cause and origin investigations and limited arson investigations, if/as directed by OSFM officials or the Lead DCFM.

• Helps manage the institution's response to unplanned fire events and other emergencies. Conducts appropriate follow-up on these events to determine causes and impacts and identify prevention opportunities.

• In a local or regional disaster, may serve as a member UCSF's Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This is part of the UCSF Emergency Management program, and EH&S is identified as one of several essential service units that may be mobilized to support the campus EOG

• Develops and maintains an effective fire and life safety program for UCSF facilities and operations.  Reviews existing facilities and identifies deficiencies with respect to their fire and life safety features and other code requirements. Prioritizes defic...