Fire Inspector

Fire/Life Safety Inspector

Salary/Step Placement: The salary range listed for this position reflects the full range of the applicable salary step schedule. The starting salary and step placement for the selected candidate will be determined based on verification of the candidate's current salary step, relevant experience, education, certifications, qualifications, and other applicable factors. Placement within the salary range is not guaranteed and may vary based on the selected candidate's verified qualifications.

Purpose of this position is to protect life and property through skilled fire/life safety inspection, code enforcement, fire prevention, and related public safety activities. This class works under general supervision and exercises independent judgment in conducting inspections, documenting violations, interpreting applicable fire/life safety requirements, and working with property owners and the public. Employees assigned to this class must utilize special skills and training to enforce all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and may be required to respond to emergencies and perform tasks as needed.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Conducts fire/life safety inspections of properties on a yearly basis to identify fire hazards and ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal fire regulations.
• Inspects and tests fire/life safety and suppression systems and takes appropriate action when hazardous conditions present an immediate danger to life.
• Documents inspection findings; reviews findings with property owners and supervisors; and prepares notices of violation and related enforcement documentation.
• Appears before the City Code Enforcement Board, Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals, and courts of law as required to support enforcement of fire regulations.
• Reviews construction drawings and specifications to identify and correct fire/life safety concerns.
• Assists with investigations involving the origin, cause, and circumstances of fires.
• Responds to and resolves fire/life safety complaints from the public.
• Performs standby fire watches at places of public assembly and special events to ensure fire/life safety systems are operational and applicable requirements are followed.
• Participates in required training to maintain state and local fire inspector certifications and current knowledge of fire prevention practices.
• Provides fire safety and injury-prevention education to groups and individuals as assigned.
• May respond to emergencies, assist in rescues, and provide basic life support emergency care when appropriately certified and assigned.
• Investigate fire scenes in order to determine cause and origin, prepare and submit detailed records, and reports demonstrating results, take photographs of evidence.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Statutory Compliance, or Certificate of Training.
• Current State of Florida Fire Safety Inspector I Certification.
• Valid State of Florida driver license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must possess or ability to obtain Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals certification as a Fire Inspector as a condition of successfully completing the probationary period.
• Must maintain all required licenses and certifications as a condition of employment.
• Current State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Preferred Education and Experience Requirements:

• Current State of Florida Paramedic certification preferred.
• Fire plans examiner certified through Broward County Board of Rules and Appeal.
• Additional fire prevention, plans review, public education, or fire investigation training and experience preferred.
• Three (3) years experience performing fire/life safety inspections, fire prevention, code enforcement, fire investigation, plans review, or closely related work

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Work Environment and Work Hours

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable fire prevention, fire/life safety, and code enforcement principles, practices, regulations, and inspection procedures.
• Knowledge of fire protection and life safety systems, including alarms, suppression systems, emergency lighting, fire pumps, and related equipment.
• Ability to inspect properties and systems, recognize hazardous conditions, document findings, and communicate corrective actions.
• Ability to read and review construction drawings and specifications for fire/life safety concerns.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports, notices of violation, and other inspection records.
• Ability to communicate effectively with property owners, contractors, City officials, regulatory agencies, and members of the public.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, work independently, and apply applicable codes and regulations consistently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, vendors, and the general public.

Physical Demands: Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs very heavy and strenuous physical work requiring strength, stamina, agility, and coordination. Duties may require prolonged standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling persons and equipment while wearing full personal protective equipment and SCBA.

Work Environment: Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• Work is performed in fire stations, emergency vehicles, training environments, community settings, and emergency scenes. The employee may be exposed to fire, heat, smoke, hazardous materials, infectious materials, extreme weather, noise, confined spaces, unstable structures, traffic, water hazards, and other hazardous or potentially life-threatening conditions.

Work Hours: Generally Monday-Friday during normal business hours. May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, special events, declared emergencies, or other hours necessary to meet the operational needs of the City.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: The City of Deerfield Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Essential Safety Functions: It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses. Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

Emergency Management Responsibilities: Note: During emergency conditions, all City employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. City employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as hurricane, or other emergency situations and are expected to perform emergency service duties as assigned.

Benefits

City of Deerfield Beach 2026 Benefits Summary Holiday Leave Twelve (12) days shall be the days observed by all City employees as holidays and the one (1) personal leave day shall be taken at the employee's discretion with permission of the Department Director or their designee (once each calendar year)

New Year's Day - Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Veteran's Day

President's Day - Thanksgiving Day

Memorial Day - Day Following Thanksgiving Day

Juneteenth - Christmas

Independence Day - Day preceding or following Christmas Day as designated by the City Manager

Vacation Leave Employees start to accrue vacation leave effective at the start of the first full month of employment based on the following schedule:

Service Time - Leave Accumulated Annually Hours - Maximum Accrual Hours

0 - 48 months - 96 hours per year - 192

49 - 108 months - 112 hours per year - 224

109 - 168 months - 136 hours per year - 272

169 months and over - 176 hours per year - 352

Sick Leave Employees start to accrue sick leave effective at the start of the first full month of employment. Employees sick days shall