Fire Inspector / Senior Fire Inspector (Ventura City Fire Department)

Fire Inspector / Senior Fire Inspector (Ventura City Fire Department)

Application submissions are managed exclusively on the City of Ventura career site and through paper applications turned into the Human Resources office in-person (501 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001). To ensure your application and materials are submitted in a timely and complete manner, please apply through https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Jobs . Submissions through other websites will not be accepted.

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Pay & Benefits

Fire Inspector - $72,679.98 - $88,343.22 Annually DOQ

Senior Fire Inspector - $79,904.24 - $97,123.73 Annually DOQ

Benefits include:

• Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options)
  
• City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance
  
• Life Insurance
  
• Vacation & Holiday Compensation
  
• Deferred Compensation
  
• CalPERS Retirement
  
• Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay
  

A New Opportunity and what you’ll do...

The City of Ventura has an exciting opportunity to join the Fire Department as a Fire Inspector / Senior Fire Inspector.

Our Fire Inspectors play a key role in maintaining a safe environment for residents, businesses, and visitors by ensuring compliance with fire and life safety regulations. If you’re passionate about public safety, enjoy working in the field, and take pride in protecting your community, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

As part of a dedicated and collaborative team, you’ll help uphold the City’s commitment to superior service and public safety-making a difference every day.

(There are currently 3 vacancies)

Depending on the assignment, incumbents may be required to work standby and report to work on a callback basis as needed within a designated timeframe, and may also be required to work weekend or evening shifts.

What You’ll Do

As a Fire Inspector / Senior Fire Inspector, you’ll perform a variety of technical inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with municipal, state, and federal fire prevention and hazardous materials codes. You’ll work closely with property owners, contractors, and other agencies to promote fire and life safety standards throughout the community. This is a non-sworn (civilian), non-safety position.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting inspections of new and existing buildings and occupancies to ensure fire code compliance.
  
• Investigating complaints and potential code violations, preparing reports, and issuing notices as needed.
  
• Coordinating with property owners and contractors to resolve code deficiencies.
  
• Participating in public education and outreach activities to promote fire prevention awareness.
  
• Assisting at emergency incidents by providing technical knowledge and post-fire analysis.
  
• Serving as a resource to Fire Department staff, other City departments, and the public.
  

Depending on the assignment, you may also oversee specialized programs such as hazardous materials inspections, weed abatement, or fire protection system testing .

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong knowledge of fire prevention principles, fire and building codes, and inspection practices.
  
• Demonstrate sound judgment and attention to detail when identifying and resolving code violations.
  
• Communicate effectively with contractors, property owners, and the public to ensure understanding and compliance.
  
• Be skilled in interpreting plans, reviewing permits, and applying technical standards in real-world situations.
  
• Thrive in a field-based environment and adapt to changing conditions and priorities.
  
• Exhibit professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public service.
  
• Work collaboratively with Fire Department personnel and other City departments to achieve shared goals.
  
• Stay calm and composed when dealing with challenging or confrontational situations.
  
• Be proactive in learning new regulations, inspection techniques, and technology tools.
  
• Take pride in promoting community safety and representing the City of Ventura with excellence.
  

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Fire Inspector is the entry-level in the Fire series, working under general supervision, to perform more routine duties related to the enforcement of regulatory codes through new construction and existing occupancy/parcel inspections, permit issuance, investigation of citizen complaints, code research and field investigations, and assisting citizens in obtaining compliance with codes. This is a flexibly staffed position and may advance to a Senior Fire Inspector, typically after 18 months.

Senior Fire Inspector is the journey-level class in the Fire series. Positions require prior education and/or experience demonstrating general competency in the areas of Fire Prevention and/or Hazardous Materials. This class is distinguished from the Fire Inspector by the greater complexity and variety of assignments received and greater independence with which incumbents are expected to work, including assignments which may include performing plan reviews and hazardous material inspections of limited scope and require direction of lower-level Fire Inspectors.

This position is flexibly staffed and may be filled at either level depending on the qualifications of the incumbent and the staffing needs of the City.

About the Ventura Fire Department

The Ventura Fire Department provides all-hazards emergency response out of six fire stations that serve an area of approximately 32 square miles. The Department is staffed with 93 sworn and 13 non-sworn personnel in three Divisions: Administration, Operations, and Fire Prevention. Last year, the Fire Department responded to over 18,000 fire, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and rescue calls. The department takes pride in its team-oriented working environment, and genuine commitment to serve the community.

To learn more about the Ventura Fire Department, visit: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/177/Fire-Department .

Experience and Qualifications for Success!

Fire Inspector: A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to the completion of high school and one year of experience interpreting and enforcing laws and regulations with a governmental agency, including research, investigation and preparation of reports for Municipal Code Enforcement or Fire Prevention is required. College course work in Fire or Construction Technology, Environmental Studies, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field is highly desirable .

Senior Fire Inspector: In addition to the requirements of a Fire Inspector, 18 months of experience equivalent to that of a Fire Inspector with the City of Ventura is required.

License/Certificates:

License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required.

Certificates:

• Completion of PC 832 is highly desirable prior to appointment and required within 12 months of appointment.
  
• Certification by the International Code Council (ICC) in Fire Prevention or Hazardous Materials is highly desirable .
  
• Successful completion of California State Fire Marshal Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, or Fire Prevention I series courses is highly desirable.
  

Apply Now!

Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline or first review date at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs .

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.
  
• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail. Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.
  

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted untilMonday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

• All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.
  

• Those candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process. Candidates will be notified of specifics after the examination process has been completed. Initial panel interviews may be conducted in-person or via video teleconference. Candidates will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.
  

The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.

THE SCHEDULE

The timeline dates are subject to change. Candidates will be notified as necessary.

• Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. - Application Deadline. Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be submitted by this date to be considered for the position.
  
• Week of November 3, 2025 - Candidates will be notified by email of their status by this date.
  
• Week of November 17, 2025 - Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email or phone if they are invited to the panel interview process.
  
• Department Selection Interviews will be scheduled promptly after the oral panel interviews have been completed. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email if they are invited to the panel interview process .
  
• December 2025 - Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the interview by this date.
  

To learn about our hiring process, visit our City’s Career Page - Hiring Process page for a detailed overview.

Learn More - Essential Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Fire Inspector/Senior Fire Inspector .

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact any of the Human Resources Recruitment Team at recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov or (805) 654-7802.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7802, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov .

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!

• 

• City of Ventura

• 805-654-7853

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