Salary: $6,617.87 - $8,451.73 Monthly
Location : Torrance, CA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number:Department: FIRE
Opening Date: 09/09/2026
DESCRIPTION(ENVIRONMENTAL/CERTIFIED UNIFIED PROGRAM AGENCY (CUPA)/CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING SYSTEM (CERS)/CALIFORNIA ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PROGRAM (CALARP) AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXPERIENCE The City of Torrance is recruiting for Fire Prevention Specialist to be part of the
Torrance Fire Department/Community Risk Reduction Division Team!The PositionThe Fire Prevention Specialist is directly supervised by the Fire Prevention Supervisor/ Deputy Fire Marshal. The Fire Prevention Specialist conducts inspections, plan review, and performs inspections of hazardous processes, fire protection and extinguishing systems to ensure compliance with applicable codes, ordinances, and standards. This position performs progressively responsible activities of an administrative and technical nature related to environmental quality involving general compliance management (generally Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Material and Underground Storage Tank (UST) Management). The position maintains and coordinates records for permits and required testing and disposal of waste and hazardous materials; and reviews plans and conducts inspections of underground storage tanks based on regulatory compliance.
For more information about the duties of the position,
Note: Fire Prevention Specialists are required to work 10 hours a day, four (4) days a week (4/10 schedule).
The City offers ample opportunities for career growth throughout the organization with its 14 departments, which work together to provide quality service, enriching programs, and exciting events to keep the community safe and thriving. The City also proudly offers exceptional employee benefits and perks! Please click here for more information on Employee Benefits, Discounts, & Incentives! QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES Experience and EducationAny combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Experience:Two years of progressively responsible experience in fire prevention including conducting inspections, plan checking and testing of hazardous processes and fire protection and extinguishing systems.
Familiarity with safety requirements for hazardous material use, handling, storage, disposal or inspection is desirable for assignment to
Hazardous Materials.Familiarity with fire safety and disaster preparedness or emergency management and public speaking and training/instructional techniques is desirable for assignment to
Public Education.
Education:For UPA (Unified Program Agencies) staff who have experience in conducting and/or overseeing inspections and enforcement activities prior to July 1, 2024, the following education requirements apply in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 27, Div 1, Article 5, Section 15260 (b):Equivalent to the completion of high school supplemented by college-level coursework and/or specialized training in Fire Prevention, Fire Science, or Fire Technology.
For UPA staff who do not have experience conducting and/or overseeing inspections and enforcement activities prior to July 1, 2024, the following education requirements apply in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 27, Div 1, Article 5, Section 15260 (a)(1-3):Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or degree with major course work from one or more of the following disciplines: Biology or microbiology; Chemistry or chemical engineering; Physics or physical science; Environmental science; Geology or soil science; Environmental health; Environmental or sanitary engineering; Toxicology; Industrial hygiene; Hazardous materials management; or Fire science or fire technology.
- OR -Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist.
- OR -Thirty (30) semester units or forty-six (46) quarter units in the disciplines listed in italics from an accredited college or university, or other institution. One year of qualifying experience in hazardous materials management regulation, analysis, or research; environmental research, monitoring, surveillance or enforcement; or resource recovery may be substituted for a maximum of 15 semester units or 23 quarter units.
License and/or Certificates The following licenses and/or certifications must be in possession and maintained throughout employment:
Valid California Class C Drivers' License; and
(Incumbents must obtain the following certifications by end of probation)California Penal Code 832 certificate;
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) certificate;
International Code Council (ICC) Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector certificate;
American Red Cross First Aid, American Red Cross or American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate;
Fire Investigator certificate from California State Fire Marshal (CSFM).
The following certifications are
desirable:
Certified Stormwater Inspector - Municipal certificate;
ICC Fire Inspector I or II;
ICC Fire Plans Examiner;
CSFM Fire Inspector I or II;
CSF Fire Plans Examiner
CSFM Community Risk Educator.
Successful candidates will possess the following:
- Knowledge of laws, codes and ordinances pertaining to fire and environmental safety enforcement;
- Principles and techniques of fire and environmental inspection work;
- Knowledge of cause of origin/arson investigation;
- Enforce regulations tactfully;
- Maintain good working relationships with City staff and businesses within the City; and
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
HOW TO APPLY & EXAM PROCESS Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at
www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Review of applications and the examination process will occur on an as needed basis.Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department's needs will be invited to participate in the examination process, which will consist of the following:First review of applications will be those received by
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Performance Exam: 40% (Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2026)
Panel Interview: 60% (Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2026)
SPECIAL NOTES Visit to find out more information about our community.
The City of Torrance Conflict of Interest Code requires that employees in this classification file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement. Information about this requirement may be obtained from the City Clerk's office.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements
must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 before the test date.
As a condition of employment, candidates must pass a background check(including personal history questionnaire, background interview, Live Scan, reference check, official transcript submittal and polygraph).
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
The City of Torrance offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. Benefits may include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefits amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
To view the current benefits for Engineers and Torrance Fiscal Employees bargaining unit, visit::
For additional information about the City's benefits, visit:
RETIREMENT BENEFITS - The City contracts with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits. Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.
01
The following supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes are encouraged but will NOT be used in lieu of the application or supplemental questions. Please read each question carefully and provide a thorough and complete response. Do NOT state "see resume" or "see application" to respond to any of the following questions. Failure to respond to all questions will be considered an incomplete application and may not be considered for further processing. Do you understand the foregoing?
02
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe IN DETAIL my qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application. In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL JOBS, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any volunteer experience during my entire work history.I UNDERSTAND that when providing my work history, ALL DATES should be UPDATED, starting with my most recent job.I UNDERSTAND that answers that I provide to the supplemental questions should be reflected in the Work Experience Section of my application.I UNDERSTAND that if I am currently employed by the City of Torrance, I MUST provide my appropriate job classification/title and provide a description of my duties in the Work Experience Section of my application.I have read these statements in their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.
03
What is your highest level of education completed?
- High School Diploma or GED
- Some College Coursework
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or above
- None
04
Have you taken college-level coursework and/or specialized training in fire science and/or environmental science?
05
If you have taken college coursework, provide the name of the institution attended and the title of the course(s). (Type N/A if not applicable)
06
Do you have two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in Fire Prevention/Community Risk Reduction in the following areas (check all that apply)?
- Fire prevention inspections
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- Inspecting of hazardous processes
- Plan checking/review
- Fire protection and extinguishing systems
- None
07
Explain in detail your experience in Fire Prevention/Community Risk Reduction based on the areas you checked on item #6. (Type N/A if not applicable)
08
Provide in detail your experience and training in Fire Prevention/Community Risk Reduction and Haz Mat environmental enforcement. (Type N/A
