Job Description

Posting number: 2026-04856

Department: Fire Services

Division: Fire Marshal's Office

Job classification: Fire Inspector, Sr

Posting type: Open

Categories: Building & Safety, Code Enforcement, Public Safety, Professional, Fire & EMS, Safety, Construction Maintenance, Construction Trades

Summary

Enforces fire codes, performs fire inspections, investigates and determines the origin and cause of fires, conducts plan reviews for code compliance and issues permits. This class is distinguished from the Fire Inspector class by the ability to perform the full range of technical inspection and/or fire investigation duties as assigned with only occasional instruction and assistance. Some positions in this classification may be responsible for leading Fire Inspectors.

Examples of duties

1. Leads the activities of assigned Fire Inspectors, including training and scheduling.
2. Investigates fires for origin and cause, which includes evidence collection and preservation, analysis of evidence, photographing and sketching the scene; prepare detailed reports; provide court testimony; interview witnesses and develop leads.
3. Inspects and resolve problems with industrial, commercial and residential, new and existing construction and special events for compliance with all applicable fire safety codes; resolve life safety issues and maintain documentation.
4. Conducts tests of alarms, sprinklers, and other fire protection systems and equipment to ensure proper installation, operation and compliance with codes; confirm water flows on automatic extinguishing systems.
5. Researches and analyze hazardous and non-hazardous materials for fire and health limits, proper storage, use and dispensing applications, and resolve problems encountered.
6. Prepares inspection, plan review, and legal reports and enter this information into computerized databases.
7. Assists in developing and interpreting fire codes and in responding to code questions from the city staff and the general public.
8. Investigates complaints involving fire safety issues or hazardous conditions.
9. Acts as a liaison between the Police Department and County Attorney's office for case filing and preparation.
10. Provides quality customer service while functioning in a regulatory capacity.
11. Reviews and interpret construction documents and reports for commercial, industrial and residential projects to ensure compliance with the Fire Codes, ordinances, standards, and amendments.
12. Advises architects, engineers, contractors, the general public, and staff on code changes, interpretations, new methods and materials; negotiate solutions to code conformance problems and fire and life safety issues.
13. Performs engineering calculations to analyze fire protection systems for hydraulic and electrical system compliance with adopted standards.
14. Identifies inadequacies found on construction plans, reports and calculations, and require corrections.
15. Prepares and deliver fire safety presentations, and assist in presentations and activities for the public.
16. Conducts training sessions as needed.
17. Participates as a committee member in various local, state and other professional organizations to discuss code related issues and attend meetings relating to plan review, fire and building safety, construction, and fire investigation.
18. Operates city vehicles.
19. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Associate Degree in Fire Science, Fire Technology, or a related field and two years of experience in fire prevention/fire investigations or the fire science field, including experience leading others or project teams.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of fire prevention and fire inspection
• Fire codes, building codes, and related codes and their interpretation and intent
• Laws and legal procedures pertaining to arson investigations
• Investigative techniques and principles for determining fire causes and their origins
• Fire detection and extinguishing systems
• Hazardous materials, proper storage, use, application and response to fire
• Fire chemistry, fire behavior and fire ground operations
• Elements and requirements of a legal report
• Fire protection engineering relating to hydraulics and fire detection systems
• Field inspection methods and techniques
• Hydraulics as applied to sprinkler systems and fire prevention
• Functions and operations of the State Registrar of Contractors and the State Board of Technical Registration

Ability to:

• Operate a computer, photography and video equipment, hand tools, and hazardous materials testing equipment and computer
• Analyze, interpret, and explain technical fire and building codes, ordinances, plans and specifications as they apply to specific situations
• Prepare fire investigative evidence and documentation for legal proceedings
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Analyze computerized data and operate computerized date entry and retrieval systems
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public
• Operate city vehicles

Special Requirements

• International Code Council Certification (Fire Inspector II level) within one year of start date.
• Must obtain IAAI-Fire Investigation Technician or Certified Fire Investigator within one year of start date.
• International Code Council Certification-Fire Plans Examiner (Preferred).
• Valid Arizona driver's license.
• This position is classified as safety-sensitive which requires candidates to successfully undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment. They will be subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout their period of employment in accordance with the City of Glendale Substance Abuse policy. A post-offer physical assessment is required. The City of Glendale will incur the cost of all required testing.
• May be subject to call back, stand-by duty, and evening, weekend and rotating shifts.

Success Factor Classification Level - Foundational

To view the success factor definitions please click here. (If needed, click here to download PDF reader).

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Supplemental information

Investigations or inspections involve walking on weakened surfaces, climbing ladders and scaffolding, crawling, lifting and moving heavy objects up to 50 pounds and the potential of wall or roof collapse and the falling of roof mounted equipment. Enters, exits, and operates city vehicles. Exposure to hazardous materials or hot environments when investigating fire scenes. Risks are identified, evaluated, and proper safety precautions applied. Investigations and inspections involve managing potentially angry, abusive, or irrational people.