Fire Safety Inspector I or II

POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY (PFA)

Service Above Self

PFA helps protect 230 sq. miles in beautiful Northern Colorado and more than $58 billion worth of property. The jurisdiction includes Fort Collins, Timnath, Laporte, Bellvue, Horsetooth Reservoir, Redstone Canyon, and other areas within unincorporated Larimer and Weld counties. 

PFA provides:

• Wildfire and structure fire suppression
• Emergency medical care
• Hazmat mitigation
• Water, high angle, and other technical rescues
• Volunteer firefighter programs
• Fire investigations
• Inspection services
• Outreach and educational courses and programs

Inspectors are often out in the community and their homebase is PFA Headquarters, located in Old Town Fort Collins.

Learn more about the PFA Mission, Vision, and Principles | Poudre Fire Authority

Fire Inspector I or II (depending on experience)

Department: Fire Protection and Community Risk Reduction Division

• Salary: Fire Inspector I $63,888.00-$70,875.75
• Salary: Fire Inspector II $77,304.00-$85,759.25

PFA is hiring one position; the selected candidate will be hired as either a Fire Inspector I or a Fire Inspector II depending on experience.

CLOSING DATE:

First review of applications will be on 6/1/2026, then biweekly until filled. Candidates will be notified after each application review if they are moving forward to interviews.

BENEFITS:

PFA provides competitive benefits including Health, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts, 401(a). Defined Contribution Plan, available Roth and 457 Plans at employee cost, paid holidays and vacation.

A full guide is available with the job postings.

SCHEDULE

FLSA/Classification: Non-exempt / Classified

Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (on site). Occasional on-call shifts are required for either position.

Selection Process: Review and Screening of On-Line Applications

Review of Additional Documentation (If requested)

SUMMARY

Fire inspectors perform fire inspections and related duties under the general supervision of the Inspection Services Program Manager, and fire investigation duties under the general supervision of the Assistant Fire Marshal - Fire Investigations.

This position works as part of the larger Inspection Services team to support the Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Division’s (FPCRR) goals and objectives.

What you'll do: Fire inspection duties include but are not limited to new and existing occupancies, conditions or installations that require an operational permit, and complaint-driven inquiries to ensure fire code compliance. Under guidance, the inspectors routinely conduct research and interpret fire code requirements, supporting ICC codes, applicable NFPA standards, and other pertinent laws and regulations that apply to PFA’s jurisdiction.

Fire inspectors are responsible for building effective relationships with businesses, property management

representatives, servicing contractors, other regulatory partners, and both internal and external stakeholders.

This position may at times assist the Technical Services Program with inspections or final acceptance testing of new construction and fire protection systems related to new construction. This position will require ICC, IAAI, and Colorado certificates to be acquired and maintained as a job duty.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this

position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Maintains a customer-focused, solution-oriented, and professional approach in all interactions on behalf of the PFA in accordance with PFA’s Mission, Vision, and Principles (MVP) document.

• Performs assigned fire inspections for occupancies within PFA’s jurisdiction.

• Assists customers through an educational approach with understanding the requirements of the adopted Fire Code.

• Completes and issues fire inspection reports in a timely and professional manner.

• Utilizes PFA’s tracking systems to verify compliance of fire protection systems for facilities within their assigned inspection area.

• Communicates expectations of fire code compliance with customers directly, which at times may require the ability to effectively deescalate or resolve conflict.

• Upholds and supports directives from the Inspection Services Program Manager or the Assistant Fire Marshal when alternative code compliance approaches are required.

• Drafts reports or professional correspondence with customers, servicing contractors, design professionals, technical consultants, and when reporting to supervisors as it pertains to fire code compliance duties.

• Works closely with other Authority programs, departments, sworn and civilian personnel to communicate and coordinate service delivery.

• Communicates requirements to contractors who inspect, test, and maintain fire protection systems with respect to PFA’s minimum contractor qualifications or as directed.

• Reads, analyzes, and interprets complex and technical information as it relates to the installation or operation of equipment, devices, or operations for the purpose of determining fire code compliance.

• Works in partnership with City and County building departments, code enforcement, and law enforcement entities for enforcement duties.

• May assist the Inspection Services Program Manager or Assistant Fire Marshal to assemble information necessary to issue enforcement notices or when a summons to court is necessary.

• Assists the Technical Services Program team when additional inspectors are needed for large or complex buildings, to perform final acceptance testing of fire protection systems, such as fire alarm, fire sprinkler, fire pumps, kitchen suppression systems, alternative fire protection systems, or otherwise, to ensure job site safety and fire access is maintained.

• Conducts fire investigation duties as part of an assigned on-call response system which may occur after regular business hours.

• Responsible for ensuring a timely response to fire scenes when assigned to on-call status for fire investigation duties.

• Responsible for wearing a PFA-issued uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with policies and procedures for the hazards encountered, such as for fire inspections, construction sites, fire investigation scenes or otherwise.

• Operates assigned PFA vehicles throughout the jurisdiction in all weather conditions in a professional manner, in accordance with PFA policies and procedures, and is responsible for cleaning vehicles when needed.

• Responsible for acquiring and maintaining certificates or training as specified for the job duties or as directed by your supervisor. This may at times require in-person attendance and travel outside of the jurisdiction and/or outside of normal business hours.

• May assist with the development and implementation of programs or responsibilities that are in support of the Inspection Services Program team when assigned by the Inspection Services Program Manager, such as mobile food vendor (food truck) inspections, or similar programs.

• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, licenses, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the necessary functions of this position.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED

• Associates degree or higher in fire science, fire prevention, fire protection engineering, architecture, building sciences, occupational safety, or related field is desired.

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

• Experience in building construction, knowledge of fire protection systems, or occupational safety is desired.

• Experience in complimentary fire prevention duties such as firefighting, fire investigation, fire and life-safety education, fire systems plan review, or similar is desired.

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licenses/Certifications:

Required licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment with PFA.

• Valid driver’s license

Obtain within six months of hire:

• Heartsaver CPR certification

Obtain within one year of hire:

• International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector I
• Certified with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control (DFPC) as a Fire Inspector I
• IAAI-FIT fire investigation certification
• ICS 100 and 200 are desired

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Ability to properly utilize the International Fire and Building Codes and NFPA Standards when performing job functions.
• Collect, analyze, organize and present information effectively in written and oral formats.
• Ability to educate, enforce, and even empower a customer to comply with applicable codes and standards to create a safer environment.
• Proficient computer skills including data management systems and specific and customized software applications (i.e. records management and data analysis systems).
• Basic skill level using Microsoft Office Suite including, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Effective time management skills.
• Advanced customer service skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals, internally and externally, using appropriate problem-solving and team building skills.
• Effective conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

HOW TO APPLLY

Application and attached resume must be submitted through the PFA website at: www.poudre-fire.org/joining-pfa/civilian-job-postings