Deputy Fire Inspector - Code Specialist

Salary: $37.90 - $43.20 Hourly
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17364
Department: Fire Marshal's Office
Opening Date: 10/15/2026
Closing Date: 11/13/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
Position Overview:
The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office is seeking a highly knowledgeable and motivated Deputy Fire Inspector - Advanced who possesses extensive knowledge and expertise in fire code compliance and plan review processes, with advanced proficiency in the International Fire Code (IFC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards. This role is integral to safeguarding life safety in Harris County by conducting detailed plan reviews, evaluating alternative design proposals, and serving as a subject matter expert on fire code issues. The Specialist will also collaborate with developers, design professionals, and internal partners, and maintain strong relationships with state and national code development organizations. Conduct technical reviews of building and site development plans for compliance with the IFC, NFPA standards, and Harris County amendments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate and provide recommendations on alternative methods, code modifications, and code interpretations submitted for review.
• Support the application of fire and life safety codes through code interpretation during plan reviews and inspections, working with recognized partners such as ICC and NFPA as needed.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, developers, and permitting staff to resolve complex code compliance issues.
• Serve as a liaison between the Fire Marshal's Office and other Harris County departments, including Engineering, to coordinate on matters related to the Harris County Fire Code.
• Maintain active communication and networking with ICC, NFPA, and local stakeholders involved in code discussions.
• Participate in code amendment processes, code update initiatives, and process development.
• Utilize a variety of computer applications and databases to manage reviews, track issues, and document code determinations.
• Respond to code-related inquiries from the public and stakeholders in a professional and timely manner

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform as a member of an Incident Management Team during emergency or disaster situations.
• Maintain situational awareness of all HCFMO activities.
• Serve on committees, boards, or other teams as assigned by the Fire Marshal or designee.
• Perform assigned tasks safely, and document and report initial accidents, injuries, or health exposures in accordance with accepted safety practices and HCFMO policy.
• The duties listed above are not meant to limit the assignment of work, nor should they be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally performed, or as a list of all duties that may be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Requirements
Possess any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

Experience and Experience:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution.
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Fire Inspector Basic Certification

AND

• Minimum of (1) one year of experience in fire code enforcement, plan review, or related regulatory enforcement

AND

• At the date of hire, possess a valid driver's license, State of Texas Class C.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Have a mastery-level knowledge of recognized standards, codes, and laws for fire inspections and identification of fire and life safety hazards, including LGC 352.016.
• Strong knowledge of fire safety codes, regulations, and standards.
• Excellent observational and analytical skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with computer applications and inspection tools.
• Knowledge in various areas relevant to the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office.
• Knowledge of Incident Management, such as the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Knowledge of plan examination and the ability to obtain TCFP certification as a plan examiner within one year

Automatic Disqualification:

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
• Open arrest for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor).
• Family Violence conviction.

Additional Position Requirements:

• All applicants selected to advance will be required to complete the TCOLE Personal History Statement and Background Investigation Authorization forms before moving forward.
• Candidates who possess a TCOLE Basic Peace Officer License or higher will be subject to additional position requirements.

NOTICE: Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences

• Five (5) years of experience in fire code enforcement, plan review, or related regulatory enforcement.
• Extensive working knowledge of the International Fire Code (IFC) and relevant NFPA codes and standards.
• NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (or ability to obtain within (1) one year of employment)
• Texas Fire Commission Plans Examiner (or ability to obtain within (1) one year of employment)
• ICC Fire Plans Examiner certification (or ability to obtain within (1) one year of employment)
• Strong working knowledge of digital tools, including plan review platforms, electronic permitting systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with regulatory agencies and professional organizations.

General Information
All FMO personnel are expected to maintain high standards of excellence when representing the department in any county-related activity.

No personnel shall act or behave, privately or in an official capacity, in such a manner as to bring discredit upon themselves or the Department. Personnel shall obey all federal, state, and local laws.

Staff members are expected to conduct themselves as professionals.
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time

• 40-Hours per Week | On - Call schedule
  
  • May include nights, weekends & holidays

Salary:

• $37.90 - $43.20 Hourly
• Commensurate with Experience
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
  • Plus, benefits

Physical Demands:

• Work requires the employee to maintain the necessary physical abilities to perform required job functions.
• Work requires seeing, standing, walking, sitting, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, talking, hearing, pushing, pulling, and lifting and carrying weights as shown in the work classification.
• Work Classification: Light Work - exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force.

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01

Are you a current HCFMO employee?

• Yes
• No

02

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed?

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Associates degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher
• None of the above

03

Which of the following best describes your years of experience in fire code enforcement, plan review, or related regulatory enforcement?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented on your application's employment history)

• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) to four (4) years
• Five (5) to nine (9) years
• Ten (10) years or more
• I do not have this experience.

04

Which certifications do you possess? Check all that apply.

• Current Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Certification as a Basic Peace Officer or higher.
• Current Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Certification as a Fire Inspector I and II (Basic)
• Current Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Certification as a Fire Service Instructor.
• Current Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Certification as a Fire Investigator.
• Current International Code Council (ICC) Certification(s).
• Current National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Certification(s).
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Plans Examiner Certification
• NIMS IS-700, IS-800, IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400
• N/A

05

This position requires a valid State of Texas Class C license.Do you have a valid State of Texas Class C license?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date.
• No, I'm not interested

Required Question