Fire Inspector

City of Ankeny, IA

$84K — $113K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent (associate or bachelor's degree preferred)
  • Knowledge of fire prevention principles and practices
  • Understanding of applicable fire codes (e.g., IFC, NFPA standards)
  • Ability to interpret building plans and specifications
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Proficient in report writing and record-keeping systems
  • Valid Iowa Driver's License or equivalent and ICC Fire Inspector certifications

Responsibilities

  • Conduct routine fire and life safety inspections of buildings
  • Enforce applicable fire codes, ordinances, and standards
  • Identify fire hazards and require corrective actions
  • Review building plans for fire code compliance
  • Investigate fire and life safety complaints
  • Maintain accurate inspection records and reports
  • Issue notices of violation or orders to correct hazards

Benefits

  • Vacation and Sick Leave
  • Personal Leave
  • Nine Paid Holidays
  • Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
  • Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
  • Defined Benefits Pension Plan Through IPERS
Full Job Description
Salary : $84,616.48 - $113,557.60 Annually
Location : 120 NW Ash Dr, Ankeny
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00719
Department: Fire Department
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 4:00 PM Central

Function

The City of Ankeny is accepting applications for a full-time position as a Fire Inspector in the Fire Department. Under the general supervision of the Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction, the Fire Inspector is a uniformed member performing fire prevention, inspection, and code enforcement activities to ensure compliance with applicable fire codes, life safety regulations, and local ordinances. This position plays a key role in fire prevention through inspections, public education, and enforcement activities.

Starting salary is $40.68 - $47.09 per hour depending on relevant work experience, with an excellent benefit package.
The City of Ankeny offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Vacation and Sick Leave
Personal Leave
Nine (9) Paid Holidays
Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance
Parental Leave
Wellness Programs and Incentives
Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
Defined Benefits Pension Plan Through IPERS
Deferred Compensation Plan
Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options
Longevity Pay

Applications must be received by Friday, August 7, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Interested individuals should apply online at and attach a resume and cover letter detailing experience. Pre-employment physical, drug screen, physical capacity profile, and background check required.

To advance in the hiring process, you must pass a civil service exam to be administered to all qualified applicants. Additional information will be emailed on Monday, August 10, 2026. Please check your email (and junk email) for testing information. Contact HR if you do not receive the testing information on 08/10/26.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Conduct routine and complaint-based fire and life safety inspections of buildings and occupancies
  • Enforce applicable fire codes, ordinances, and standards
  • Identify fire hazards and require corrective actions to ensure compliance
  • Review building plans and construction documents for fire code compliance (as assigned)
  • Investigate fire and life safety complaints
  • Maintain accurate inspection records, reports, and documentation
  • Issue notices of violation, citations, or orders to correct hazards
  • Coordinate with building officials, code enforcement, and other agencies
  • Conduct follow-up inspections to verify compliance
  • Participate in pre-incident planning and data collection

Entry Requirements and Skills

  • High school diploma or equivalent (associate or bachelor's degree preferred)
  • Knowledge of fire prevention principles and practices
  • Understanding of applicable fire codes (e.g., IFC, NFPA standards)
  • Ability to interpret building plans and specifications
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and enforce regulations tactfully
  • Proficiency in report writing and record-keeping systems
  • Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
Required Special Qualifications:
  • Valid Iowa Drivers' License or equivalent (transfer to Iowa within 60 days of hire date)
  • International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector I (within 9 months of hire date)
  • International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector II (within 18 months of hire date)
  • FEMA ICS 100, 700, and 800


Facility and Work Area: Ankeny Fire/EMS Response District and Ankeny Fire/EMS Stations
The City of Ankeny offers a comprehensive benefits package for regular fulltime employees. The benefits available include vacation, personal days, sick leave, life insurance and AD&D, health and dental insurance, vision insurance, long term disability, retirement, and flexible spending accounts. Other voluntary insurance products are also offered.

Non-Union Fulltime Employees:
Vacation:
80 hours per year-at hire
120 hours per year-after 5 years of service
160 hours per year-after 10 years of service
200 hours per year-after 15 years of service
240 hours per year-after 25 years of service

Personal:
Each year on July 1, fulltime employees shall receive 32 hours. The personal leave must be used on or before June 30th of the following year.
Hired between July 1 - October 1 - 32 hours
After October 1 - before January 1 - 24 hours
After January 1 - before April 1 - 16 hours

Sick:
8 hours per month after the first 30 days.
1600 hours maximum accumulation

Holidays: 9 paid holidays
  1. New Year's Day
  2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  3. Memorial Day
  4. Indepedence Day
  5. Labor Day
  6. Thanksgiving Day
  7. The Friday following Thanksgiving
  8. Christmas Eve Day
  9. Christmas Day

For more detailed overview of all the City of Ankeny benefits,
01

Do you possess a high school diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Please choose what best describes your college education:
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • None

03

What field is your degree in? If no degree, enter none.
04

Do you possess a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

05

Do you have knowledge of fire prevention principles and practices?
  • Yes
  • No

06

If you answered yes, please describe how you acquired your knowledge of fire prevention and practices.
07

Do you understand applicable fire codes (e.g., IFC, NFPA Standards)
  • Yes
  • No

08

If you answered yes, describe your experience working with applicable fire codes.
09

Do you possess the International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector I certificate?
  • Yes
  • No

10

Do you possess the International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector II certificate?
  • Yes
  • No

11

Click all FEMA certificates you currently possess.
  • FEMA ICS 100
  • FEMA ICS 700
  • FEMA ICS 800
  • None

Required Question

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