Fire Inspector I

Description

WHAT WE OFFER

Fire Inspectors are represented by the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association (VCPFA) and are eligible for overtime compensation. The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• General Salary Increases - 4 % effective August 31, 2025, 3.5 % effective August 30, 2026, 3.5 % effective August 29, 2027.
• Market-Based Adjustments - 1 % effective September 14, 2025, 1.5 % effective September 13, 2026 , 1.5 % effective September 12, 2027 .
• One-Time Payment -New regular, full-time employees may be eligible for $1,000 effective the pay period beginning September 28, 2025.
• Uniform Allowance - $1,700 upon hire and $1,000 yearly.
• Merit Increases - New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase (does not included OT hours).
• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Bilingual Incentive - Based on agency need,proficiency levels by exam are $.40 per hour.
• Combined Leave (Holiday and Vacation) - New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 22 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 32 days a year and 511 hours of vacation hours banked. Combined Leave includes hours for 13 designated holidays each year.
• Annual Leave Accrual - A candidate selected for this position will earn 95 hours per year (3.68 hours/biweekly).
• Advance Sick Leave Credit - New regular, full-time employees shall receive an advance sick leave credit of thirteen (13) biweekly pay periods as sick leave accrual as of the date of hire.
• Annual Leave Redemption - Eligible for annual leave redemption subject to MOA requirements.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a one and one-half percent (1.5%) match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans - Full time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $14,742 annually ($567 per biweekly pay period) to offset the purchase of medical, dental, and/or vision insurance for you and your dependents.
  • $602 per biweekly pay period effective December 7, 2025,
  • $637 per biweekly pay period effective December 6, 2025.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental and vision care and/or dependent care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined pension plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERs.
• Social Security - New employees participate in Social Security through payroll tax contributions of 6.2% (2025).
• Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program.
• Details of the benefits package is provided in the job specification under the BENEFITS tab or click here: https://hr.ventura.org/benefits
• Details of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for VCPFA can be found by clicking here: MOA 2024-2028

THE POSITION

The Ventura County Fire Department is recruiting for a Fire Inspector I. Under immediate supervision, a Fire Inspector I will perform a variety of technical duties in the field and office which include plan and permit reviews, and inspections of residential, commercial and/or industrial facilities, and fire suppression equipment for compliance with laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the control and prevention of fires.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future regular, temporary, fixed-term, intermittent, and extra-help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy for Fire Inspector I.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

OPENING DATE: Friday, May 30, 2025
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it.
FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: Week of June 30, 2025

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs fire prevention inspections, enforcing applicable laws, codes and/or ordinances;
• Assigned to the Fire District's public service counter and serves as the customer's initial contact;
• Performs a variety of construction reviews, fire code permit review and issuance, calculates permit and plan check fees;
• Maintains accurate computer records, receives inspection requests and violation complaints;
• Conducts preliminary reviews and processing of incoming submittals;
• Checks residential and commercial site plans for compliance with standards and specific conditions for approval;
• Interacts with contractors, the public, management and field inspection staff;
• Answers telephones and assists callers with application, permit and technical questions and concerns;
• Recommends necessary planning or building modifications to ensure fire safety on less technical projects;
• Assists in preparation of various studies, reports and statistical compilations;
• Maintains the database by creating, uploading, and updating file records;
• Creates letters, permits and correction notices with correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Some working knowledge of: modern office methods, practices and procedures including business correspondence requiring both speed and accuracy; mathematical computations; modern fire suppression and prevention methods and theories; principles of combustion and fire behavior; principles and application of building construction in fire service, ordinances, policies, rules, and regulations that govern the operation of a Fire District; CA State Fire Marshal's regulations and prevailing practices in fire prevention, International Fire Code, and International Building Code.

Some working ability to: operate office equipment such as computers and software applications; establish and maintain effective working relationships and provide courteous service with fire personnel, other agencies, city/county officials, contractors and the public; compile data and prepare correspondence; comprehend and follow oral and written instructions including departmental policies, regulations and instruction in established fire prevention procedures; communicate effectively in an oral and written manner; analyze fire prevention problems and adopt an effective course of action; maintain knowledge and gain additional training in fire prevention activities; prepare/preserve evidence for court cases; and assist in logistical support functions during emergency incidents.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE:

Any combination education, training, and experience which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities ( KSAs) stated above. The required KSAs can be obtained by:

OPTION A: One (1) year full-time paid experience as a fire inspector with a city, county, state or federal fire organization; OR

OPTION B: One (1) year full-time paid experience in a related inspection field such as building inspector, code enforcement officer or other similar position with responsibilities for inspection and code enforcement within a private, city, county, state or federal organization; AND; satisfactory completion of a minimum of two (2) core classes (three (3) units each) listed below from the Fire Technology/Science curricula from an accredited institution.

• Fire Protection Organizations
• Fire Prevention Technology
• Fire Behavior and Principles of Combustion
• Fire Protection Equipment and Systems
• Building Construction for Fire Protection; OR

OPTION C: Satisfactory completion of the five (5) core classes (three (3) units each) from the Fire Technology/Science curricula from an accredited institution.
The following related courses shall be completed as part of the required 15 semester units:

• Fire Protection Organizations
• Fire Prevention Technology
• Fire Behavior and Principles of Combustion
• Fire Protection Equipment and Systems
• Building Construction for Fire Protection; OR

OPTION D: A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college in fire science, engineering, architecture, construction technology, building inspection, fire prevention or closely related field.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :
Possession of a valid California driver license.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Completion of the California State Fire Training Fire Inspector courses 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D OR Fire Prevention Officer courses 1A, 1B, and 1C.
• Completion of National Fire Academy "Fire Inspection Principles" course.
• Possession of International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector I or II Certification.
• Possession of the California State Fire Training Fire Inspector 1 or 2 Certification.
• An associate's or higher degree from an accredited college in fire science, engineering, architecture, construction technology, building inspection, fire prevention or closely related field.
• Possession of certificate in Fire Technology from an accredited institution.
• Some knowledge of construction materials, building trades and ability to read building plans.
• Experience in plan review and inspection of fire protection and life safety systems.
• Demonstrated computer skills which include common office software (Word, and Excel).
• Bilingual (Spanish).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Verification of college degree or college-level coursework is required. Transcripts or grade reports from an accredited college or university which reflect the date your degree was conferred and passing grades in the required subject areas must be attached to your online application OR submitted to Human Resources Attn: Jeff Weaver, by email at JoinVCFD@ventura.org or delivered to 2400 Conejo Spectrum St., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 at the time of submitting your application or no later than three (3) business days of the recruitment closing date . If transcripts or grade reports are not submitted, your application will be screened out and you will not be allowed to continue in the process. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency.
You must submit the above documentation with your application, a hard copy with a paper application or a scanned PDF copy as an attachment for an online application. If you submit a hard copy with a paper application, be sure it's a copy. Whatever you submit will not be returned to you. To attach a PDF scanned copy to an online application, use the Add Attachment(s) link in the Attachments section at the bottom of the page where you can edit the various sections of your application.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Inspections assignments are often done on buildings under construction and may include working inside or outside, in all weather conditions under varying physical conditions. Applicants must have the ability to climb ladders, climb stairs, work in high places, and work in closely confined spaces. Applicants will use a wide range of motion from pushing and pulling heavy objects to inspecting objects above shoulder level and overhead. Must be able to lift, push/pull and carry up to 40 lbs.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply online refer to web site: www.ventura.org/jobs . If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to o ur address: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire, if applicable, to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

INFORMATION FOR TRANSFER CANDIDATES
NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. The questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION SCREENING - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION - A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Responses such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation.

ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating examinees' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation, which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record, is required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Jeff Weaver by email to jeff.weaver @ventura.org .

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

VENTURA COUNTY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION

(VCPFA)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: FFF, FGF

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• County of Ventura

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