Fire and Life Safety Inspector/Educator

Job Title: Fire and Life Safety Inspector/Educator              

Department: Fire

Supervisor: Fire Marshall

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt

Grade: 28 (2025: $27.76 - 37.56/hr)

Union Code: NA

Revised:  11/2025

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Fire Marshal, is responsible for performing duties to assist in the administration of the International Building Code, International Fire Code, National Fire Codes and other related codes and ordinances adopted by the City of Brookings.  Promotes fire prevention and fire safety techniques. Instructs groups on the use of portable fire extinguishers and general fire prevention.   Promotes the Department’s operational readiness by developing pre-incident plans to help effectively manage emergencies and maximize protection for occupants, responding emergency personnel, property, and the environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree in Fire Science or related field required.
• Demonstrated familiarity of the Life Safety Code, International Fire Code, National Fire Codes, and other industry specific codes/standards.
• Five (5) years progressive experience in fire service operations, fire prevention, or fire code enforcement 
• Fire Inspector Certification within twenty-four (24) months of hire
• Certified South Dakota Fire Service Instructor or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire
• CPR certified or ability to obtain
• Valid South Dakota Drivers License or ability to obtain within one (1) month of hire
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position does not support visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field.

Major Duties (Essential Function)

• Inspection
  • Assist in implementation and administration of the Department’s Fire Inspection Program.
  • Provide facility inspections for the gathering of information pertinent to mapping structures and delineating hazardous materials.
  • Perform data entry and computerized mapping of facilities for firefighting purposes.
  • Assist in the enforcement of fire safety within the City of Brookings.  Provide on-site inspections of places of public assembly, educational, institutional, mercantile, business, industrial, manufacturing, storage, special-hazards structures and any other inspections to protect life and property safety.
• Technical 
  • Evaluate fire prevention and fire control policies by keeping abreast of new methods and conducting studies of departmental operations.
  • Interpret construction documents to assure fire code compliance.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of educational and public relations programs to keep the general public informed of fire hazards and Fire Department operations.  Promote public compliance of all fire codes.
  • Understand, evaluate and execute all areas of fire prevention, hazardous materials, pre-incident planning and related fire suppression activities.
  • Utilize inspection management software and GIS mapping tools to document inspections, track compliance trends, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Education
  • Collaborate with the Fire Marshal to plan and deliver public education campaigns, community outreach, and safety programs for schools, businesses, and civic groups.
  • Occasionally serve as a department representative at community events, safety fairs, and civic meetings to promote fire prevention awareness.
• Administrative
  • Prepare reports, correspondence, memos, records and forms as needed.
  • Establish and maintain a good liaison with other agencies, departments, and administration.
  • Cooperate with State, Federal, and local offices and other agencies in fire service matters.

Marginal Duties

• Attend training, seminars and workshops as deemed necessary.
• Perform all duties in compliance with safety standards and policies established by the City.
• Perform other job-related duties as deemed necessary and additional duties, tasks, or responsibilities as assigned.

Physical Demands/Work Environment (Essential Function)

• Work involves a mix of sitting, standing, walking, and occasional climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee must be able to use hands and arms to handle or operate objects and communicate effectively.
• The position requires sensory abilities including sight, hearing, and touch, with occasional exposure to odors. The employee must be able to lift and move up to 10 pounds regularly, 25 pounds frequently, and occasionally up to 100 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may occasionally work in wet or humid conditions, at heights, or in extreme heat. Exposure to moving equipment, fumes, chemicals, outdoor weather, or electrical hazards may occur. Noise levels are typically moderate.

Mental Complexity/Interpersonal Contacts (Essential Function)

• The employee must be able to read and interpret technical materials and regulations, prepare clear reports and correspondence, and effectively present information to varied audiences.
• The employee must be able to identify problems, collect and analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and interpret complex instructions or information involving both abstract and concrete variables.
• The employee interacts frequently with the public, business owners, contractors, and other City staff to explain fire and building codes, inspection results, and safety requirements. These interactions require professionalism, tact, and the ability to educate others while enforcing regulations.
• The position regularly collaborates with Fire Department personnel, other municipal departments, and external agencies to coordinate inspections, investigations, and compliance efforts. The employee must be able to manage conflict, build cooperative relationships, and communicate technical information clearly to individuals with varying levels of understanding.

Pre-employment Screening

• Pre-employment screening may include, but are not limited to, the following:  references, criminal background, credit history, drug and alcohol screening, medical history questionnaire, and pre-employment physical. 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job‐related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.