Salary : $73,334.40 - $108,477.24 Annually
Location : City of Escondido, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 03840
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Summary
Fire Prevention Specialist I: $6,111 - $8,189
Fire Prevention Specialist II: $6,745 - $9,039
Under supervision (Fire Prevention Specialist I) or general supervision (Fire Prevention Specialist II) in a civilian capacity, performs a variety of technical work including technical plan checks and inspections for fire prevention purposes; enforces City and State fire and safety laws and codes; conducts fire safety inspections for a variety of facilities and construction sites; assists in coordinating public fire education programs; maintains a variety of records, files, and related documents; performs related work as required.
Under supervision (Fire Prevention Specialist I) or general supervision (Fire Prevention Specialist II), performs a variety of technical work including fire safety inspections for residential, commercial, industrial properties, constructions sites, and places of assembly to determine compliance with fire prevention codes and ordinances; as directed, respond to fire scenes to assist with or conduct the investigation of the origin and cause of fires and assist first responders at emergency incidents; performs technical plan checks and inspections for fire prevention purposes; enforces City and State fire and safety laws and codes; assists in coordinating public fire education programs; maintains a variety of records, files, and related documents; performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Fire Prevention Specialist I: This is the entry-level class in the Fire Prevention Specialist series. This class is distinguished from the Fire Prevention Specialist II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Assignments are generally limited in scope, contain fairly routine tasks, and are performed within a procedural framework established by higher-level employees. Employees at the "I" level are expected to learn the full scope of duties. As experience is acquired, incumbents perform with less immediate supervision and continue to learn the full scope of duties and responsibilities. Advancement to the "II" level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions, possession of required licenses and certifications, completing the progression criteria established by the Department, and upon review and approval of the Fire Chief.
Fire Prevention Specialist II: This is the full journey-level class in the Fire Prevention Specialist series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Fire Prevention Specialist I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by progression from the Fire Prevention Specialist I level when experience and required licenses and certifications are obtained and progression criteria met, or when filled from the outside, require prior directly related experience and possession of required licenses and certifications.
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Conducts fire safety inspections for residential, educational facilities, commercial, industrial properties, construction sites, and places of assembly to determine compliance with fire prevention codes and ordinances.
Responds to fire scenes to assist with or conduct the investigation of the origin and cause of fires and assist first responders at emergency incidents; coordinates cleanup activities.
Performs technical plan checks to determine compliance with fire and building codes as required, but not limited to checking underground fire mains, fire alarm and fire suppression systems.
Makes recommendations concerning fire safety for public assemblies.
Prepares inspection records and technical letters pertaining to recommendations and violations.
Makes special miscellaneous inspections (i.e., flammable liquid tanks, fire detection, fire protection and alarm systems, blasting operations, vapor recovery systems, etc.) and issues permits (burning, blasting, pyrotechnics, etc.) as required.
May monitor commercial and industrial use of hazardous substances through permits and inspections, and make recommendations for handling, storage and disposal.
Investigates and responds to complaints and requests for information from the public.
May assume inspection duties in the absence of other prevention officers.
Gives public presentations on fire safety and fire prevention topics.
May interview juveniles regarding fire safety.
Attends meetings.
Performs related work as required.
Provides vacation and temporary relief as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Modern fire prevention and fire inspection principles, procedures and methods.
Applicable codes and regulations, including health and safety codes, building codes, Title 19, Title 24, and City fire prevention codes, or ability to acquire such knowledge.
Fire protection and safety standards.
Principles and techniques of fire inspection work.
Basic map reading.
Mathematical principles for purposes of reading plans and maps.
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers.
Computer software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, as necessary.
Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing techniques.
Principles of business letter writing, record keeping and basic report preparation.
Methods and techniques of public relations.
Effective communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Effective English usage, to include proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Ability to:
Modern fire prevention and fire inspection principles, procedures and methods.
Applicable codes and regulations, including health and safety codes, building codes, Title 19, Title 24, and City fire prevention codes, or ability to acquire such knowledge.
Fire protection and safety standards.
Principles and techniques of fire inspection work.
Basic map reading.
Mathematical principles for purposes of reading plans and maps.
Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers.
Computer software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases, as necessary.
Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing techniques.
Principles of business letter writing, record keeping and basic report preparation.
Methods and techniques of public relations.
Effective communication skills and techniques required for gathering, evaluating and transmitting information.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Effective English usage, to include proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Minimum Requirements
Fire Prevention Specialist I/II
Education:
Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by college level courses in fire science. An Associate Degree in Fire Science is desirable.
Fire Prevention Specialist I
Experience:
One year (full-time equivalent) of experience in fire service, building trades, code enforcement, or related field. Previous experience with plan checking is desirable.
License, Certifications and Other Requirements:
Possession of the following upon hire:
A valid Class C California Driver's License.
Fire Prevention 1A, 1B, and 1C, or Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.
PC 832 certificate within 12 months of employment.
Fire Prevention 2A, 2B and 2C, or Fire Inspector 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D is desirable.
Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, and 1C or Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B is desirable.
Fire Prevention Specialist II
Experience:
Two years (full-time equivalent) of experience comparable to a Fire Prevention Specialist I with the City of Escondido.
License, Certifications and Other Requirements:
Possession of the following upon hire/promotion:
A valid Class C California Driver's License.
Fire Prevention 1A, 1B, and 1C, or Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.
PC 832 certificate.
Fire Prevention 2A, 2B and 2C, or Fire Inspector 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D
Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, and 1C OR Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B.Plan Examiner 1A:
Building Plan Review, Plan Examiner 1B: Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems Plan Review,
and Plan Examiner 1C: Hazards and Special Operations Plan Review are highly desirable
Statues and Regulations Certification is desirable
Fire Investigation 2A and 2B is desirable
Fire Prevention Specialist I/II incumbents must be willing to work standby and overtime as required, and are required to wear department-approved uniform. During emergencies incumbents will be required to wear protective equipment. Incumbents may be required to wear a respirator under certain circumstances and in specific environments. Safety regulations prohibit incumbents from wearing beards or other facial hair which prevents a proper respirator fit. Employee must live within 60 minutes driving time from Fire Station #1 (required for fire investigation duty coverage).
Supplemental Information
NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace.
All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.
Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
