Fire Prevention Inspector I/II (Internal Opportunity)

Salary : $87,216.00 - $131,124.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 27-025
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 10/15/2026
Closing Date: 10/29/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position

The current vacancy is for Fire Prevention Inspector I/II in the Fire Department. This is a full-time and fully benefitted position with a 12-month probationary period as per the This recruitment is open to current City of Santa Cruz regular and temporary employees. As an internal recruitment, the list established from this recruitment is valid only for the current vacancy listed above.

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Fire Marshal, performs fire prevention inspections to enforce laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to the control and prevention of fires; reviews plans and specifications on new buildings and fire protection systems; fire investigations; participates in public relations and education programs; and performs related duties as required.
Recruitment #27-025

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 10/29/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
  1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 11/02/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 11/09/26.
• Week of 11/16/26: Qualified candidates who have successfully passed the application process will be invited to participate in an oral examination tentatively scheduled for 11/17 and 11/18/26. This oral examination will consist of two components:

1. 1. Scenario-Based Exercise: Candidates will independently prepare and present a response to a realistic job-related scenario as though serving in the role of Fire Prevention Inspector I/II. The exercise will be completed the day of the oral examination. There will be no take-home assignment or presentation materials required. Instructions will be provided to candidates at their oral examination appointment.
   2. Structured Oral Interview: Candidates will participate in a structured interview conducted by a panel of subject matter experts.

• Responses to the scenario-based exercise and structured oral interview will be evaluated by the panel and combined into one overall oral examination score. Candidates receiving a passing score of 70% or higher on the oral examination will be placed on the eligible list in ranked order. Candidates with failing scores lower than 70% will not be placed on the eligible list.

• Chief's interview: The highest-ranked candidates may be invited to participate in a Chief's interview with the Fire Chief, Division Chief of Prevention, and Deputy Fire Marshal.

Basic Function
Under the general supervision of the Deputy Fire Marshal, performs fire prevention inspections to enforce laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to the control and prevention of fires; reviews plans and specifications on new buildings and fire protection systems; fire investigations; participates in public relations and education programs; and performs related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Positions in this classification are alternately staffed at either the Fire Prevention Inspector I or II level, depending on the qualifications of the individual appointed. At the higher level of Fire Inspector II, the incumbent is expected to have the education and experience necessary to conduct inspections and make recommendations regarding fire safety. An incumbent hired at the Fire Prevention Inspector I level will be provided training in the basic skills of fire prevention inspection and the appropriate laws, ordinances and regulations, and will be promoted to the II level when he or she has successfully completed the 12+month probationary period, demonstrated the ability to perform inspection work without direct supervision, and can meet the necessary minimum qualifications for level II.

Typical Duties

May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below):

• Conducts fire prevention occupancy inspections in all types of commercial and residential buildings.
• Inspects the storage and handling of reactive materials, explosives, and flammable liquids.
• Inspects and tests fire alarms, sprinkler systems, heat and smoke detection devices and other fire protection and control devices.
• Conducts inspections and makes fire safety recommendations for schools, hospitals, rest homes, and other institutions; conducts fire prevention surveys and enforces fire safety regulations.
• Reviews plans of proposed buildings and fire protection systems for adherence to fire and life safety regulations.
• Checks complaints in regard to violations.
• Assists engine company personnel in the interpretation and enforcement of fire prevention codes.
• Conducts public relations and educational programs on fire safety.
• Prepares reports, completes forms, and maintains various records related to inspection and prevention duties.
• Answers questions and provides direction to contractors, owners, administrators, and other members of the public when fire prevention corrections are necessary.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

In addition to the above duties, the Fire Prevention Inspector II:

• Assists with the training of the Fire Prevention Inspector I
• Conducts Fire Investigations: responds to fires and directs or conducts the investigations of cause and origin for evidence of arson; prepares reports on findings; serves as liaison to the district attorney's office regarding criminal actions; appears in court as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when assessing emergency situations, performing inspections and reading documents. This position requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and acute hearing to communicate in both emergency and non-emergency situations. This position requires the ability to smell in order to detect odors, such as smoke, gases and other odors that could indicate harmful or dangerous environments. The need to lift, carry, drag and push tools, equipment, supplies, as required, to perform inspections and investigations. Additionally, the incumbent in this position may be exposed to a variety of working conditions, including wet, heat and cold and may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. This position may be exposed to loud noises such as helicopters, fire engines and chainsaws. The nature of the work may require the incumbent to climb ladders, work in confined spaces and wear a breathing apparatus. The incumbent may be required to respond to after hour emergency calls. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that provides the above knowledge, skills and abilities combined with any required licenses and certificates is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is to possess the following:

Education and Experience:
Fire Prevention Inspector I:

• High school graduation or tested equivalent; and
• One year experience in any related inspection field OR 6 units in college-level courses in Fire Technology.
• Completion of California State Fire Training Fire Prevention 1A or Prevention 1 or Fire Inspector 1A course; or equivalent within six (6)months of appointment.

Fire Prevention Inspector II:
In addition to the qualifications for Fire Prevention Inspector I:

• One year experience as a paid full-time Fire Inspector; or sworn Public Safety position with investigation and enforcement duties; and
• Completion of California State Fire Marshall "Fire Prevention Officer" or "Fire Inspector I" certification within one (1) year of appointment.

Fire Prevention Inspector I:
Knowledge:

• Basic methods and practices used in inspections for fire control and prevention;
• Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and business correspondent format.

Fire Prevention Inspector II:
Knowledge:
In addition to the qualifications for Fire Prevention Inspector I:

• Applicable federal, state and local fire prevention codes and laws.
• Fire protection devices and systems.
• Fire Department policies and procedures.

Fire Prevention Inspector I and II:
Abilities:

• Learn the laws, ordinances and regulations regarding fire prevention.
• Develop a working knowledge of fire protection devices and systems.
• Learn and apply departmental policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of business.
• Willingness to work irregular hours and perform callback work as required.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Make effective oral presentations.
• Maintain accurate and clear records and prepare reports.
• Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and draw logical conclusions.
• Understand, interpret, and appropriately apply applicable codes and laws.
• Apply technical knowledge and follow proper inspection techniques.
• Communicate requirements, policies and decisions to the public in a courteous and effective manner.
• Physical ability (as determined by a pre-employment physical exam) to bend, stoop, crawl, climb and lift, as required, to perform inspections.
• Tactfully and effectively interact with people of ethnic and cultural diversity.
• Use basic word processing methods, techniques and programs.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
On-Call Fire Investigator Response Time

• Must be able to respond within 60-minutes to the main fire station when on call for fire investigation.

DESIRABLE JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS
Fire Prevention Inspector I:

• AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Some construction trade experience
• California State Fire Marshal "Fire Prevention Officer" or "Fire Inspector I" certification or courses toward that certification
• California State Fire Marshal "Fire Investigator I" certification or courses toward that certification
• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate or State of California Paramedic license.

Fire Prevention Inspector II:
In addition to the qualifications for Fire Prevention Inspector I:

• California State Fire Marshal "Fire Investigator II" certification or courses toward that certification
• California State Fire Marshal "Fire Prevention Specialist" or "Fire Inspector II" certification or courses toward that certification
• California State Fire Marshal "Plan Examiner (2015)" certification or courses toward that certification
• Knowledge of hazardous materials
• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate or State of California Paramedic license.

Licenses

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record.

SALARY - The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website See the on the City website for further details on pay rates and practices.

LEAVE

40 hr Employee

Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Sick - 8 ho