Fire Inspector IV

Fairfax County Government
$70,711.26 - $117,851.76 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, child care, retirement plan
United States, Virginia, Fairfax
Apr 12, 2025
Job Announcement Under general direction, plans, coordinates, and supervises all inspection activities for all units assigned to a large regional area of the county (e.g., north county or south county) or functional area. Supervises staff in the conduct of a variety of difficult and specialized building and fire protection equipment and systems inspections involving the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. Provides technical advisory services to subordinate Fire Inspectors, the general public, owners, and developers regarding resolution of inspection issues. Investigates and resolves complaints and inquiries concerning alleged code violations. Supervises and facilitates negotiation of equitable solutions to complex problems between enforcement officials and responsible parties. Performs related work as required. Illustrative Duties (The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description). Directs staff in the intake and review of work and inspection assignments; Analyzes workflow and redirects staff to meet customer demand for various services; Acts on complaints and conducts or oversees complex inspections or investigations involving multiple parties and/or violations; Coordinates inspections and investigations with other departmental officials, county and state agencies, consultants, or boards; Organizes and leads meetings; Acts as liaison, negotiator, and facilitator between complainants, property owners, the County Attorney, and other county staff in determining equitable solutions of complaints; Ensures all issues relative to an inspection or complaint are addressed by staff and resolved in a timely, appropriate fashion; Reviews and analyzes technical inspection and complaint reports submitted by subordinate Fire Inspectors to ensure accuracy and completeness of the reports; Guides and assists staff in the determining adherence to departmental policy, appropriate codes, ordinances, and regulations; Identifies sensitive or workflow issues that should be brought to the attention of the Fire Prevention Division senior leadership; Acts as liaison between individuals, groups, associations of property owners, and developers in determining equitable solutions to the more difficult situations and disputes handled by the branch; Assists with criminal and civil court prosecutions and pursues legal procedures allowed to obtain compliance under applicable county codes and ordinances; Coordinates case preparation, including collection of evidence and the presentation of testimony as an expert witness; Prepares reports concerning complaint resolution procedures, policies, and status; Supervises processing and delivery of permits and associated inspections; Ensures actions taken by subordinates comply with applicable codes, ordinances, and related policies; Uses appropriate information and records management systems to produce ad-hoc reports concerning unit and branch productivity; Uses information to recommend staffing changes or temporary realignment of resources to address workflow issues; Provides daily supervision and formal evaluation of Fire Inspectors I, II and III assigned to their functional team; Responds to on-call duties outside of normal business hours and is subject working emergency overtime. Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities (The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.) Thorough knowledge of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and other pertinent model codes and standards; Thorough knowledge of fire protection equipment and systems with demonstrated proficiency evaluating and interpreting the system and data; Thorough knowledge of fire chemistry and behavior, fire prevention fundamentals, general fire safety, physical properties of flammable and combustible solids, liquids, and gases, and fundamentals of fire suppression; Thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of model codes and standards; Knowledge of the materials and practices used in building construction; Ability to proficiently read and interpret plans, specifications, and engineering drawings; Ability to identify situations that may impact the health, welfare, or safety of the public and take appropriate remedial actions; Ability to conduct difficult or involved inspections of buildings and facilities to ensure code compliance; Ability to work with people and obtain cooperation, even in difficult situations; Ability to prepare clear and factual reports; Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions; Ability to supervise subordinates and provide constructive feedback and coaching. Employment Standards MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") Associate Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering Technology or related field plus one-year commensurate experience as a Fire Inspector III. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and referenced standards. Experience with review of building and tenant drawings for construction type, structural fire resistance, means of egress, and fire protection system requirements. Experience, including laboratory and classroom experience, with fire protection systems, water distribution systems, building construction materials, processes and techniques, fire alarm systems, (including circuits and devices), codes, and standards. Supervisory and/or management experience. Certification in National Fire Academy "Fire Inspection Principles I". Certification in National Fire Academy "Plans Review for Fire and Life Safety". Certification from Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course "Fire Protection Systems Inspection". Certification from Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course "Plans Review - Commercial". CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: Driver's license Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA 1031) - Virginia Department of Fire Programs Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Academy (CORE Module) THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE OBTAINED WITHIN TWO YEARS OF APPOINTMENT: Certification in National Fire Academy Fire Inspection Principles I; Certification in National Fire Academy Plans Review for Fire and Life Safety; Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course Fire Protection Systems Inspection; Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course Plans Review-Commercial. NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, sanctions screening, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to climb stairs, climb a ladder, walk for long distances, drive, bend over and squat down. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations. SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise. The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity. Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. #LI-SP1