Certified Fire and Life Safety Inspector

Department: Emergency Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Make a meaningful impact in your community by joining our Emergency Services team as a Certified Fire Safety Inspector. In this vital role, you’ll help protect lives and property by ensuring fire safety standards are met, using your attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to interpret technical data, reports, and code manuals.

This position offers a starting pay of $31.16 per hour with benefits beginning within 60 days of hire. Qualified candidates must hold a current Florida State Certified Fire Safety Inspector Certificate (issued by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training) and have at least one year of fire safety inspection experience . Apply today to build a rewarding career dedicated to public safety.

About the Position

In this role, you will...

• Conduct fire and life safety code enforcement, including acceptance testing of fire protection systems and Certificate of Occupancy inspections, under national, state, and local codes.

• Survey commercial structures to identify hazardous materials and relay information for pre-incident planning.

• Ensure proper handling, storage, and processing of flammable, combustible, and hazardous materials.

• Inspect and test new and existing fire protection systems for compliance with applicable codes and standards.

• Collaborate with other County enforcement divisions on Certificate of Occupancy releases and inspections.

• Provide inspection and compliance support to areas outside the Fire Department's jurisdiction in coordination with the County Building & Standards.

• Maintain accurate records, reports, and data for occupancy files and coordinate information with relevant departments and agencies.

• Respond to public inquiries and complaints, and conduct fire safety awareness programs within the business community.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.

• Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency. ​

About You

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

• High School Diploma or its equivalent -and- One year of Fire Safety Inspector experience.

• Current Florida Fire Safety Inspector Certificate as issued by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

• Valid Florida Driver’s License at the time of hire.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

• Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or Fire Administration -or- related year-for-year experience with advanced classes in Fire Science, Hazardous Materials, or Inspections.

• One year ( minimum ) of commercial construction or building experience.

Physical Demands: Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.

Per department policy, Employees in this role must adhere to the following:

• Beards, goatees, and flies are prohibited.

• Mustaches shall be well-groomed and neatly trimmed. The lower lip shall be clearly visible with the mouth closed. Mustaches may not extend below or beyond ½ inch from the corner of the mouth.

CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as part of the hiring process.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay: $31.16/hr

Note: Employees who develop the skills and meet the minimum qualifications for the next level are encouraged to apply for promotional opportunities. Advancement is not automatic, and position reclassifications are determined based on organizational needs and budget considerations - not solely on individual qualifications.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents . You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options:

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call View phone number on aiapply.co.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.