Fire Sprinkler Technician & Inspector

Location 1234 State Street,Portland, OR, 97201,United States Base Pay $20.00 - $52.00 / Hour Job Category Fire Sprinkler, Technician, Inspector Employee Type NonExempt - Full Time Required Degree High school Travel 50% Manage Others No Why This Role Exists Valley Fire Control is opening a Portland office. The office leader is already in place. We are hiring the technical team now. This is not a startup. VFC has been doing this work in the Pacific Northwest for over 70 years. The Portland office is an expansion of a well-established business, backed by the resources of Columbia Safety Services and our other operating offices in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We have a strong existing customer base across Oregon that we already service for kitchen suppression and portable extinguishers. Many of those customers want us to take on their sprinkler inspections, testing, and service work as well. The work is there. About the Role This is a field-based, hands-on role focused on the inspection, testing, and service of commercial fire sprinkler systems. This is not an installation role. We are looking for someone who knows sprinkler systems well enough to inspect them, identify deficiencies, perform complex repairs, and handle the harder service work that less experienced techs cannot. You will be given monthly assignments and expected to manage your day from there. You will represent VFC at every customer site you visit, coordinate with other technicians scheduled at those same sites for different service offerings (alarm, kitchen, extinguishers), and maintain the field-level relationship with each customer. Location: Portland, OR (Portland metro market) Residence: Greater Portland metro (including southern Washington — Ridgefield, Vancouver, etc.) or within a 2-hour radius of Albany, OR Reports To: General Manager Union Status: Non-union Company Vehicle: Brand new truck or van (your choice within reason), fuel covered Who You Are Self-directed — you take a monthly assignment list and execute it without needing daily oversight Experienced — you know sprinkler systems well and can work without someone looking over your shoulder Technically strong — you understand how systems actually work, including the harder service items Methodical — you take inspections seriously and document them accurately Customer-focused — you communicate clearly, professionally, and put the customer first Comfortable with upsell — you can identify opportunities and confidently recommend the right scope of work to existing customers Relationship-oriented — you understand that you are the customer’s primary VFC contact in the field, and you pass larger sales opportunities to the right people internally Team-oriented — willing to coordinate with other technicians on shared accounts and to coach apprentices Entrepreneurial — you look for ways to improve customer outcomes and grow the business, not just check boxes on a work order Aligned with our values: Customer Centricity, Effective Communication, Consistency, Initiative, and Trustworthiness Why This Role Works Established business in growth mode — 70+ years of history, now expanding into Portland Part of Columbia Safety Services — backed by five other operating offices across OR, WA, and ID Inspection and service focus — no install-heavy schedule Strong existing customer base ready to absorb new sprinkler service Real technical work — complex repairs, not just running tags Performance-based progression — fast track to Senior for the right candidate Brand new take-home company vehicle High trust, high ownership environment Vehicle, Commute & Market Transition You will be based out of our Albany, OR office for the first 3–6 months for training, onboarding, and customer ramp. After that, your work shifts to the Portland metro market. We want to be upfront about what this commute is — and what it isn’t: Vehicle and fuel covered. You will be provided a brand new company vehicle (truck or van, your choice within reason). Fuel is covered. The vehicle is yours to drive between home and work. There is no out-of-pocket cost to commute. Commute time is unpaid. We are not trying to disguise that. If a daily round-trip from the Portland metro to Albany does not work for your situation, this is not the right role. This is a transition. As the Portland office reaches operating scale, your work shifts north and the Albany commute goes away. Full-time, Monday–Friday Occasional after-hours or on-call work as needed First 3–6 months: daily commute to the Albany, OR office for training and customer ramp Long-term: primary work in the Portland metro area with occasional travel to Albany, Eugene, Medford, WA, and ID Work performed at commercial customer sites, including occupied buildings, mechanical rooms, riser rooms, and backflow vaults Confined space entry (backflow vaults) — training provided if not already certified Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, work at heights, and navigate active jobsites Requirements What You’ll Do Perform inspections and testing of fire sprinkler systems in accordance with NFPA 25 and applicable local codes Conduct annual, semi-annual, quarterly, and monthly ITM (inspection, testing, and maintenance) on wet, dry, preaction, deluge, and antifreeze systems Perform backflow assembly testing and required documentation (OHA submittals) Diagnose and complete complex repairs, including: Replacing dry valves and trim Repacking and servicing fire pumps 5-year internal pipe inspections and obstruction investigations System flushing Antifreeze replacement and testing Replacing sprinkler heads, gauges, switches, and related components Minor pipefitting and service-related modifications Execute monthly customer assignments, organizing your day and route to deliver work efficiently Coordinate with other VFC technicians scheduled at the same customer sites for different service offerings Maintain the field-level customer relationship — you are the face of VFC at every site you visit Identify deficiencies and clearly communicate required repairs, upgrades, or code-driven corrections Upsell existing customers on additional services, code-driven repairs, and system upgrades that genuinely benefit them Pass relationship leads to our sales team when work is outside your scope or warrants a formal proposal Document all inspections, tests, and service work accurately using company software (iPad-based) Submit required reports to AHJs and customers in a timely manner Train and support junior technicians and apprentices Represent Valley Fire Control professionally in every customer interaction This is not an installation role. Scope is focused on inspection, testing, and service/repair work, with occasional minor pipefitting tied to repairs. Minimum Qualifications 5+ years of experience working on commercial fire sprinkler systems (inspection, testing, and service) Demonstrated experience performing complex repairs, including dry valve replacement, fire pump service, 5-year internal pipe inspections, system flushing, and antifreeze replacement Working knowledge of NFPA 25 and NFPA 13 Oregon Backflow Assembly Tester (OR BAT) certification, OR ability to obtain within 4 months of hire Residence in the greater Portland metro area (including southern Washington) or within a 2-hour radius of Albany, OR Ability to commute daily to the Albany, OR office for the first 3–6 months of employment Valid driver’s license and clean driving record Strong computer and mobile device skills (iPad, Microsoft Office, cloud-based apps) Fluent in spoken and written English Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug screen Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, work at heights, and navigate active jobsites Preferred Qualifications NICET certification in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems (Level II or III preferred) City of Portland fire sprinkler technician license Washington Sprinkler Fitter Certificate of Competency (L&I) Washington Sprinkler ITT (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance) Certificate of Competency Confined space training and experience (for backflow vault work) Experience with the following types of systems and components: Wet and dry pipe systems Preaction and deluge systems Antifreeze systems (including transition to alternative methods per NFPA) Fire pumps (electric and diesel) Standpipe systems Backflow assemblies (RPDA, DCDA, DCVA) Prior experience communicating with AHJs and submitting required reports Cross-training in other life safety scopes (alarm, kitchen suppression, extinguishers) Bilingual (Spanish or other languages) Summary About Valley Fire Control Valley Fire Control has been protecting Pacific Northwest businesses for over 70 years. We design, install, inspect, and service fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, kitchen suppression systems, portable extinguishers, and related life safety equipment. VFC is part of Columbia Safety Services, a fire and life safety holding company with five other operating offices across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We respect the trades, run a disciplined operation, and care about doing the work right. If you want to join a team that takes the work seriously and treats people well, this is a good place to land. Compensation This role follows a structured, development-based pay scale. Compensation is tied to demonstrated capability, licensing, and certifications — not tenure alone. Progression to Senior Technician is performance-based and can move quickly for the right candidate. Hourly Rate Apprentice / Trainee Sprinkler Technician: $20.00 – $27.00 per hour Entry-level pathway for candidates building toward full technician status. Typical attributes: High school diploma or GED required; trade school, associate’s, or apprenticeship completion preferred 0–4 years of experience in fire sprinkler, mechanical, or related piping trades Basic familiarity with NFPA 25 inspection requirements Demonstrated ability with hand tools, threading/grooving, basic pipefitting, and assisting on inspections and service calls Working toward NICET Water-Based ITM certification and/or OR Backflow Assembly Tester certification Fire Sprinkler Technician / Inspector: $45.00 per hour Able to independently perform inspections, testing, and service calls on commercial sprinkler systems, including diagnosing system issues and completing routine repairs without supervision. Required qualifications: 5+ years of commercial fire sprinkler experience (inspection, testing, and service) Oregon Backflow Assembly Tester certification (or obtained within 4 months of hire) Working knowledge of NFPA 25 and NFPA 13 Demonstrated ability to complete complex repairs (dry valve replacement, fire pump service, 5-year internal inspections, antifreeze replacement, system flushing) Proficiency completing and submitting inspection reports and AHJ documentation Preferred at this tier: NICET I or II in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems City of Portland fire sprinkler technician license Confined space training Senior Fire Sprinkler Technician / Inspector: $52.00 per hour Senior Technicians demonstrate advanced technical expertise, can run the most complex jobs without support, and serve as field leaders for the sprinkler division. Strong Fire Sprinkler Technicians can progress to Senior quickly as they complete the requirements below. Requirements (in addition to Fire Sprinkler Technician qualifications): NICET III in Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems (or NICET II with documented equivalent experience) One of the following: City of Portland fire sprinkler technician license ASSE backflow tester certification Washington Sprinkler Fitter Certificate of Competency Washington Sprinkler ITT Certificate of Competency Confined space training and demonstrated ability to perform backflow vault work safely Proven ability to lead inspections on complex properties (high-rise, healthcare, large-footprint industrial, or properties with multiple system types) Demonstrated ability to mentor and train junior technicians and apprentices Track record of clean inspection reports with no customer-impacting issues during testing Medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee-only medical heavily subsidized) 401(k) with company match Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays Company-paid life and disability insurance Brand new company vehicle (truck or van, your choice within reason) — fuel, maintenance, and insurance covered for business use iPad, laptop, and tools provided Paid training, certifications, and continuing education (NICET, backflow, confined space, etc.) #J-18808-Ljbffr