Salary : $60,894.29 - $106,565.06 Annually
Location : PUBLIC SAFETY HQ, 12099 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY, FAIRFAX (EJ28), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 26-01187
Department: Fire & Rescue
Opening Date: 08/01/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S21
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

The primary function of this position is to enforce the fire prevention code through inspections of new and existing buildings and regulated properties. Duties include:

• Inspecting job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems.
• Witnessing required contractor conducted performance tests.
• Inspecting new and existing structures and permitted worksites to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments.
• Investigating and troubleshooting problems related to building fire protection equipment and systems. Investigating complaints against builders or property owners, for validity, and recommending corrective action when necessary.
• Receiving and responding to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment, installation status, permitting requirements, codes, and standards.
• Entering all inspection results into a portable computer terminal or maintaining complete records of inspections and test results.
• Identifying regulation sections being violated, issuing written code violation notices, and taking necessary action to ensure violations are corrected.
• Reading and interpreting approved building plans and specifications.
• Reviewing requests for inspections and coordinating with other county agencies and departments.
• Interpreting applicable codes and standards.
• Attending meetings, conferences, and training.
• Preparing reports and composing correspondence.
• Responding to on-call duties outside of normal business hours.

Note: If applicants do not meet the Fire Inspector II certification requirements, vacancies may be underfilled at the level of Fire Inspector I (Pay Grade S17) for up to one year pending requirement completion. See the Underfill requirements listed in the Employment Standards below.
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).

• Inspects job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems; Witnesses required performance tests conducted by the installing contractor;
• Inspects buildings, structures, and other permitted work to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments;
• Investigates and troubleshoots problems related to fire protection equipment and systems as they occur in buildings;
• Inspects new construction to ensure construction is in compliance with the VSFPC, VUSBC, and other applicable codes and ensures construction is completed in accordance with approved plans;
• Investigates complaints against builders or property owners, evaluates their validity, and recommends corrective action when necessary;
• Receives and responds to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment and system requirements, installation status, permitting requirements, code, standards, or fire inspections, etc.;
• Enters results of each inspection into a portable computer terminal or maintains complete records of inspections and test results of performance testing of fire protection equipment and systems;
• Identifies the sections of the regulations being violated, when an investigation or inspection uncovers code violations or work that is not approved, and issues written code violation notices to developer, owner(s), or appropriate persons and takes necessary action to ensure violations are corrected with concurrence of the supervisor;
• Reads and interprets approved building plans and specifications;
• Reviews requests for inspections and coordinates inspections with other county agencies (i.e., DPWES, LDS, other sections of the Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Zoning, or Health Department);
• Interprets applicable codes and model standards;
• Attends meetings, conferences, and training;
• Prepares reports and composes correspondence;
• 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.)

• Knowledge of fire protection equipment and systems;
• 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;
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of model codes and standards;
• Knowledge of the materials and practices used in building construction;
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, and engineering drawings;
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as fee calculations, proportions, percentages, area and circumference;
• Ability to identify situations that may impact the health, welfare, or safety of the public and take appropriate remedial actions;
• Ability to conduct 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.

Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to a high school graduation or a GED, issued by a state department of education, plus one year of commensurate experience as aand three years of work experience or knowledge in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, sanctions screening and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license is required for all positions in this class;
Certification in Civilian Entry from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs or successful completion of Firefighter I and II;
Certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness from FEMA IS-5.A - An Introduction to Hazardous Materials;
Certification as a Fire Inspector I/II (NFPA 1031) from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs;
Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Academy (CORE Module).

THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE OBTAINED WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT:
Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course Fire Protection Systems Inspection;

Applicants hired at the Fire Inspector I will be non-competitively promoted to the Fire Inspector II level upon successful completion of an underfill agreement.

Note: Underfill candidates must be able to meet the minimum qualifications of the Fire Inspector II within one year of the job announcement's closing date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course "Fire Protection Systems Inspection".
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to lift to 30 lbs. Must be able to speak articulately in person and on the telephone. Ability to work long periods at a desk. Fully participate, as required as a civilian member of an emergency organization. Ability to climb stairs, climb a ladder, walk for long distances, drive, bend over, stoop. All duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

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Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate which of the following license(s) you possess in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you are not licensed but eligible for licensure please check that response.

• Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license
• Certification in Civilian Entry from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs or successful completion of Firefighter I and II
• Certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness from FEMA IS-5.A - An Introduction to Hazardous Materials
• Certification as a Fire Inspector I (NFPA 1031) from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs
• Certification as a Fire Inspector II (NFPA 1031) from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs
• Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Building Code Academy (CORE Module).
• Certification from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Course Fire Protection Systems Inspection
• None of the above

04

Do you have at least one year of commensurate work experience as a Fire Inspector I?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of full-time equivalent general work experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

06

How many years of full-time equivalent work experience or knowledge do you have in one of the following areas: fire protection, firefighting, or the electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical trades?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

Required Question