Fire Inspector/Investigator

Job title: Fire Inspector/Investigator

About the Role The Fire Inspector/Investigator works under the Fire Marshal to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes, regulations, policies and procedures. The role involves inspecting facilities, investigating fires and code violations, and supporting fire prevention program operations. The position requires coordination with incident command, law enforcement, and the public, and on-call availability outside normal hours.

What You'll Do

• Investigate fires for origin and cause, coordinate with on scene incident command, create photographic or video records of the event, and provide detailed reports for fire scene investigations.
• Process and maintain evidence for criminal investigations in conjunction with law enforcement; maintain on call status outside of normal working hours on a designated scheduled rotation.
• Investigate complaints of alleged fire code violations and generate code violation files as needed; organize and maintain files related to compliance activities and present testimony in court as needed.
• Assist with implementation of the adopted wildland urban interface; conduct pre-application field visits and intake meetings; apply criteria and coordinate with local Fire Districts.
• Conduct inspections for compliance with sprinkler and fire alarm codes; inspections for new construction, tenant improvements, commercial occupancies, operational permits, annual fire and life safety inspections; assist with issuing stop work orders as needed.
• Assist in fire and life safety educational meetings and workshops; educate the public of fire and life safety codes; assist with fire prevention assemblies at schools.
• Examine and analyze plan specifications for compliance with current adopted codes for sprinkler, fire alarm, new construction/tenant improvement, and operational permits as required by code; advise patrons of code-related changes and interpret code language for lay audiences.
• Attend meetings and seminars on code and policy changes; review manufacturer literature and new products to stay current; provide investigation and enforcement support to Code Enforcement Officer as needed.

What We're Looking For

• Minimum Qualifications: High School diploma or GED; one year experience in fire suppression, investigation, or inspection and/or inspection or plans examination in a related field; valid Washington State Driver’s License or ability to obtain prior to employment; ICC Fire Inspector I certification or obtain within six months; IAAI Fire Investigation Technician certification or obtain within eighteen months; a criminal history and background check will be performed; must be on rotational on call and able to respond to a fire within 30 minutes of a call while on call.
• Knowledge of modern fire prevention principles, procedures, techniques; problem solving; proficient with Microsoft Office.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of current fire and building codes; an Associate or Bachelor degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, or Criminal Justice and technical training in fire prevention; two to three years of progressive work experience in fire or criminal investigation, fire inspection, or fire code compliance; certification by NAFI or IAAI; ICC Fire Inspector II and Fire Plans Examiner credentials with timeframes.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: 4,996.80 to 5,463.65 per month (DOE); Longevity Steps 5-8 5,714.72 to 6,545.79 per month.
• Benefits include participation in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, optional deferred compensation, medical and dental insurance, County contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, up to 11 paid holidays annually, additional floating holidays, and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave.