Fire Inspector I/II (Fire Prevention Specialist I/II)

About the Position

The City of Del Mar is recruiting for a skilled Fire Inspector I/II for the City of Del Mar Fire Department. The position serves the City Del Mar but will also assist and provide coverage inspection services to the City of Solana Beach under a joint fire management agreement. This position offers a unique opportunity to work alongside Fire Department leadership and prevention staff to contribute to the effective delivery of fire and emergency services. 

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys a balance of technical inspection work, public interaction, investigation, and problem-solving. The City is looking for a candidate with: strong communication and interpersonal skills; sound judgment; the ability to interpret and apply fire and life safety codes in a fair, consistent, and professional manner; comfort working independently in the field; and a natural ability to work as a team player and collaborator. If you are interested in protecting the community through fire prevention, life safety education, inspections, investigations, and collaborative problem-solving, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a meaningful impact while serving the Del Mar and Solana Beach communities.

• Fire Inspector I: $87,845 - $106,777

• Fire inspector II: $94,882 - $115,330

• Starting salary will be based on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.
  

About the Recruitment

The position is open until the needs of the City are met, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately and must submit an application and supplemental questionnaire. First review of applications will begin on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision performs specialized life safety and fire prevention plan reviews and inspections for fire protection systems, new construction sites, industrial, residential, commercial, institutional, and assembly occupancies to ensure compliance with Local, State, and Federal building and fire code regulations. Incumbents perform tests and certification of fire protection systems. Incumbents also conduct public fire safety education programs, presentations, demonstrations, and instruction. The Fire Inspector I/II (Fire Prevention Specialist I/II) is a full-time non-exempt position.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: 

Fire Inspector I (Fire Prevention Specialist I) is an entry level position requiring limited responsibilities and direct supervision. Incumbents at this level are expected to learn the office and field operations under the supervision of a senior staff member to eventually qualify for advancement to Level II.

Fire Inspector II (Fire Prevention Specialist II) is the journey level and requires prior fire prevention experience. Incumbents work with greater independence and a broader level of knowledge.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

Fire Inspector I (Fire Prevention Specialist I):

• Performs specialized and complex life safety and fire prevention plan reviews and inspections for fire protection systems, new construction sites, and industrial, residential, multi-family and mixed-used development projects, commercial, institutional, and assembly occupancies.
• Works with developers, architects, property owners, and engineers to develop Fuel Modification Zones and Landscaping, where required.
• Coordinates the City’s weed abatement program; works with vendors on issues; organizes agenda reports, agenda, tax lien list, and works with the County and Finance to collect the money owed.
• Responds to questions, requests, and inquiries from the public, contractors, architects, and engineers regarding fire and life safety codes and standards both in-person and over the telephone; provides primary coverage for front counter.
• Operates a variety of equipment and tools used in plan reviews and inspections, which includes computers, printers, digital cameras, engineering calculators, motor vehicles, fax machines, measuring tape, architect scales, and engineering scales.
• Meets with architects, engineers, contractors, business owners, homeowners, and other City personnel to discuss new development and violation cases
• Performs administrative staff work involving research, analysis, and policy drafting.
• Coordinates, attends and participates in public fire education, instruction, and demonstrations for professional and governmental agencies and the public, including local schools, community groups, hospital staff, and fire suppression personnel.
• Performs plan checks, evaluating engineering drawings, reviewing site plans and projects for adherence to municipal codes, fire codes and other fire-related ordinances.
• Performs site inspections for weed abatement and other minor violations; assesses fire hazards to determine action for compliance.
• Conducts wildfire risk assessments; administers defensible space and home hardening programs; develops and coordinates hazard abatement programs and related activities; oversees weed abatement and wildfire mitigation activities; prepares contracts for weed abatement and wildfire mitigation, and monitors contractor performance and expenditures within budget guidelines as necessary.
• Issues written warnings, writing notices of correction, documenting hazards, and recording activity in conjunction with the enforcement process.
• Receives, investigates and resolves complaints related to conditions hazardous to life or property; provides a variety of information related to city policies and fire department procedures; refers inquiries to individuals or outside agencies as appropriate.
• Performs office administration duties, which involve filing, logging, and tracking of various fire permits and plans, handling legal correspondence and preparing reports.
• Performs specialized and complex fire and life safety plan checks; stamps and approves for installation, fire sprinkler systems plans, building fire rated assemblies and fixed fire protection plans; interprets and applies code requirements.
• Inspects, performs certification field tests and approving fire protection systems in new construction, commercial, institutional, industrial, and assembly occupancies; visits hazardous sites to assess levels of hazard; responds to various requests from city, state, and governmental agencies in the enforcement of fire codes.
• Operates equipment used in advanced plan checking and inspections, which include engineering calculators, drafting tools, pressure devices and hydrocarbon analyzers.
• Attends meetings and predevelopment proposals with city personnel, architects, engineers, and developers regarding fire and life safety code application and interpretation.
• Attends professional classes to keep abreast of new code updates in the field of fire prevention and inspection.
• Writes letters of intent to cite; Issues citations when indicated. 
• As directed, respond to fire scenes to assist in the investigation of the cause and origin of fires and assist first responders at emergency incidents.
• Develops and disseminates fire safety and code compliance materials and otherwise assist with public safety programs. Assist in the development of technical guidelines, bulletins, and interpretations; and the development of technical procedures, training programs.
• Assists in the pursuance of legal remedies for non-compliance, including issuance of pre-citation notices, preparing legal complaints, and testifying in court.
• Performs other assigned duties of similar nature or level.

In addition to the duties outlined above, Fire Inspector II (Fire Prevention Specialist II) also performs the following:

• As directed, respond to fire scenes to conduct the investigation of the cause and origin of fires and assist first responders at emergency incidents.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of fire prevention and fire code enforcement
• Applicable Federal, State, and Local codes, amendments, laws, regulations, and ordinances
• Hydraulic calculation methods used to check water and fire protection system installations
• Building construction principles
• Community Risk Reduction (CRR) principles and public education methods. 
• Wildfire-Urban Interface (WUI) regulations, defensible space, fuel modification, vegetation management, and ignition-resistant construction. 
• Fire protection and alarm systems and equipment.
• Flan review application process, code requirements of the jurisdiction, and policies and procedures of the jurisdiction.
• Standards used in the storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials, explosives, highly flammable materials, and other toxins used in industrial settings
• Hazardous materials, chemical chain reactions, and fire behavior
• Fire hazards and related prevention and abatement methods
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices
• Public relations principles
• Construction development procedures
• Safe driving principles and practices
• Basic computer applications.
• Fire Investigation procedures

Ability to:

• Use a computer and related software applications 
• Read, interpret and explain building plans, fire protection system plans, fire building codes, and technical reports.
• Perform life safety and prevention inspections
• Draft and draw functional graphics and diagrams
• Interpret and apply applicable codes, amendments, laws, regulations, and ordinances
• Perform research and analysis
• Provide necessary oversight for fire prevention inspection and education programs of the department.
• Conduct WUI inspections and evaluate wildfire mitigation measures. 
• Coordinate public educational events
• Communicate interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Manage time effectively in order to meet the demands of the job
• Work well under pressure
• Set goals in order to achieve results and complete tasks in an efficient and timely manner
• Work flexible hours which may include weekend and/or holidays
• Speak to the community and present risk reduction and fire prevention information.

Education, Experience and Training:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Level I: At least one (1) year of experience in plan checking or review, related construction activities, or engineering technician work involving plans and drawings; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. High School Diploma, or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.), and coursework in Fire Prevention. AA degree in Fire Science is preferred but not required.
• Level II: At least two (2) years of experience in plan checking or review, related construction activities, or engineering technician work involving plans and drawings; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. High School Diploma, or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.), and coursework in Fire Prevention. AA degree in Fire Science is preferred but not required.

Licenses; Certifications; Special Requirements: 

• Level I: 

• Valid California Driver’s License
• P.C.832 Powers of Arrest
• California State Fire Marshal’s courses: Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, or Fire Prevention 1A, 1B, 1C
• California State Fire Marshal’s courses: Plans Examiner 1A, 1B, 1C.
• International Code Council Fire Inspector I certification within one year of appointment.

• Level II: 

• Valid California Driver’s License
• P.C.832 Powers of Arrest
• California State Fire Marshal’s courses: Fire Inspector 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, or Fire Prevention 2A, 2B, 2C
• California State Fire Marshal’s courses: Plans Examiner 1A,1B,1C
• Fire Investigator 1A,1B and 1C or Fire Investigation 1A and 1B
• International Code Council Fire Inspector II certification within one year of appointment.
• State Fire Inspector II or Fire Protection Specialist desirable but not required.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Physical: Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment. 

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. 

Mental Demands: While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; and interact with City staff, other organizations and the public. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, dusts, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and travel. May be subject to hazardous physical conditions (mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc.), atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation), hazardous materials (chemical, blood, and other body fluids, etc.), inadequate lighting, workspace restricts movement, intense noise, and travel. Must be able to use personal protective clothing required for fire investigations. 

Notes:

• The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.
• Provisions of the California Government Code and Emergency Services Act declare all public employees to be disaster service workers. As disaster service workers, all public employees (except legally employed aliens), are subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
• This is a safety-sensitive position and incumbents are subject to pre-placement drug testing.
• The employee may be required to work in environments where respiratory hazards are present. The employee must wear approved respiratory protection as assigned and comply with the agency’s Respiratory Protection Program.
• Incumbents may be asked to travel on City business, using their own vehicle or a City vehicle, and are required to be in the Department of Motor Vehicles Pull Notice Program.