Fire Prevention Inspector

Job Overview

Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

Job Title: Fire Prevention Inspector I

Opening Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Closing Date: Monday, March 9, 2026, 5:00pm

The recruitment process for positions in the Department of Public Safety requires a comprehensive background investigation. Come join Sunnyvale’s Fire Prevention Division! We build community trust by delivering exceptional services. Our core values of public service are integrity, leadership, and respect.

• CalPERS retirement pension
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retiree medical benefit
• 11 paid holidays
• 30 hours
  * of floating holidays (prorated based on date of hire)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals
• Employee wellness programs

• Conduct inspections of buildings and property for compliance with fire codes, efficiency of fire protective equipment, adequacy of fire exits, and overall compliance with codes and regulations pertaining to fire and life safety; develop plans of correction as necessary.
• Investigate citizen complaints of violations of fire codes and regulations and take corrective action; respond to inquiries regarding fire and life safety codes and standards.
• Promote public relations through public education programs; speak to civic and professional organizations; meet with industrial and business representatives; make presentations and participate in promotional events.
• Assist with fire scene investigation to determine cause and origin; coordinate cleanup; participate in post-fire investigation and analysis; testify in legal proceedings when required; complete required documents.
• Prepare and maintain forms, records, technical letters, files, and reports; issue permits and corrective action correspondence.
• Review pre-fire plans and assist with the research, development, and revision of new codes, standards and policies.
• Stay current on the legal and technical developments in the fire prevention and investigation field; participate in professional meetings and associations.

Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, climbing, crawling, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping, and making repetitive hand movements. Work is performed in the office and at various sites throughout the community; both indoors and outdoors with or without weather protection, in restricted or confined spaces while wearing a respirator. The need to lift, drag, and push items weighing up to 50 pounds is required.

The field/ investigation setting may expose the incumbent to smoke residue, chemicals, hazardous materials, skin irritants, fumes, solvents, and air contaminants. Vision and hearing requirements apply. Some conditions may be accommodated for qualified individuals requiring such accommodations.

Fire Prevention Inspector I

• An Associate's degree or 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) from an accredited college or university in Fire Science/Technology or Fire Protection.
• OR
• An Associate's degree or 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) from an accredited college or university in Building Design, Construction, Chemistry, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field; AND completion of the following five classes from an accredited community college:
  Fire Protection Organization;
  Fire Prevention Technology;
  Fire Protection Equipment and Systems;
  Building Construction for Fire Protection; and Fire Behavior and Combustion.

• Applicable national, state and local laws, regulations, codes, standards, ordinances, and policies related to contemporary fire protection, building inspection, fire prevention and life safety principles, practices and techniques.
• Practices, procedures and equipment used in fire investigations, including fire cause determination and interviewing techniques.
• Methods and techniques of developing effective public education, public relations and community presentations.
• Reading building plans and maps; understanding mathematical principles for reading plans and maps.
• Effective communication techniques for…