Fire Inspector

Job Overview

Join to apply for the Fire Inspector role at Snohomish County, WA. The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office, housed within Planning and Development Services, provides safe, livable environments through inspection, investigation and education. The office focuses on fire investigations, plan review and inspections for new construction and development as well as annual fire and life safety inspections for the renewal of certificates of occupancy for existing commercial businesses within unincorporated Snohomish County.

• Conduct annual on-site fire inspections of complex residential and commercial buildings in compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and standards; check occupancy permits, fire extinguishers, electrical hazards, housekeeping and gas storage.
• Investigate complaints of alleged fire code violations; identify violations and recommend solutions; provide information on county codes, standards and regulations.
• Give written and verbal warnings of code violations; send corrective notices, orders and restraining orders as necessary; prepare affidavits and secure enforcement assistance.
• Conduct special on-site inspections of propane and fuel tanks, short term assembly applications and permit approval.
• Research fire codes and NFPA literature for fire protection requirements and determine acceptable alternatives; communicate findings.
• Prepare and mail occupancy permit renewals when violations are remedied.
• Maintain written and electronic inspection records; prepare required complex reports and briefings; present evidence at hearings, appeals board and court trials.
• Analyze data to determine common violations and develop public education programs and materials to promote voluntary compliance.
• Participate in joint investigations with other agencies such as fire district officials, fire departments and state agencies.
• Identify and recommend modifications to office policies, regulations and fire codes.
• Perform ATC-20 and ATC-45 rapid assessments of structures to ensure safe occupation.
• Communicate effectively with public, builders, stakeholders and other agencies.

• Perform related duties as required.

• A valid Washington State Driver's License is required.
• Certification as a Fire Inspector by the International Code Council (ICC) or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is required.
• Must pass job-related tests.
• Preferred: 3 years of experience in fire inspection or related fields.
• Experience with fire inspection is preferred.

• Building codes, National Fire Protection Association storage standards, International Fire Code.
• Potential fire hazards.
• Investigative methods and techniques.
• Computer skills and electronic data management.
• Modern complex fire suppression and alarm systems, construction methods, and stages of construction.
• Customer service methodology, conflict management and effective communication.
• Disaster preparedness and rapid assessment structural evaluation.
• Continuous process improvement.

• Enforce laws, codes, ordinances and regulations with firmness, tact and equity.
• Independently identify and define related deficiencies or hazards and recommend effective remedial measures.
• Maintain necessary written and electronic records and prepare required detailed reports.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, peers, associates and the general public.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Learn and apply new techniques and procedures.
• Make decisions under pressure.
• Read, interpret and apply zoning rules, regulations, laws and procedures.
• Organize field work load and data management to set and meet priorities and time schedules.
• Present public education programs.
• Operate computer terminals and applied software packages.

• Retirement:
  County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Medical benefits:
  The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plans with low deductibles. The County’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Flexible work…