Job Posting
Fire Inspector III
Grade: 17
Pay Scale: $38,124 – 57,186
Closing Date: June 30, 2015
Fire Inspector III
Primary Reason Why Classification Exists
To perform highly responsible fire inspection and prevention duties including fire education;
inspection of various structures, incident investigation and interpretation of federal, state and
local fire codes, laws and regulations; and to provide responsible staff support to the Fire
Department.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this classification is responsible for performing residential, commercial, and
industrial fire inspections and investigations as required by the NC Fire Code. Emphasis of the
work is on identifying fire violations and hazards, seeking compliance with applicable fire laws,
codes, and ordinances, and determining the cause of fires. A majority of the work is performed
independently with considerable latitude and judgment in interpreting the NC Fire Code.
Employee establishes priorities to ensure efficiency and effective use of duty day. Employees in
this class are responsible for coordinating and delivery of fire and life safety training to citizens
and other requests. Assignments may include coordination of special projects, events or public
functions requiring the coordination of work with firefighting personnel for equipment displays
and demonstrations. Work is reviewed by a senior fire officer and is evaluated on the basis of
compliance with established policies and procedures and attainment of individual performance
objectives. This employee is also assigned fire suppression duties as needed and would be
responsible for serving as commanding officer of an assigned crew and of emergency situations.
Illustrative Examples of Work
 Conducts routine inspections of businesses, educational institutions, and commercial and
industrial facilities and determines compliance with NC Fire Code; determines quantity
compliance with NC Fire Code and NC Building Code for businesses storing hazardous
chemicals or other hazardous products including height of stored product, cubic footage
of product and whether current fire protection system is sufficient; makes special
inspections in response to citizen complaints such as overcrowding at special events,
exceeding maximum capacity, and other fire code violations
 Conducts fire investigations and prepares reports of findings; conducts interviews with
the public and suspects in arson cases; takes photographs and sample analysis of evidence
for origin and cause of fires; provides technical assistance to local, state, and federal law
Fire Inspector III
Town of Carolina Beach
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enforcement agencies involved in investigations; appears in court to give testimony
related to the nature of the work performed
Serves in the capacity of a firefighter or officer in charge on fire calls or as required for
emergency incidents or manpower shortages
Conducts training for firefighting personnel and fire officers to enhance their
understanding and application of the NC Fire Code and to provide information needed to
retain certifications
Conducts fire safety and prevention education programs for schools, churches,
businesses, and community groups and applies varied teaching methods to groups served
Makes recommendations for planning and implementing occupancy emergency
evacuations
Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with other department
personnel, other employees in the Town, the public and other public officials; exercises
discretion and judgment when interacting with inebriated and/or confrontational
individuals
Performs preventative basic care and maintenance of all fire prevention equipment and
vehicles
Makes accurate and prompt reports of inspections, investigations, and other duties as
required by procedure and as directed by supervisor; makes reports of daily productivity
and false alarm activity
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
 Thorough knowledge of the inspection resources such as the NC State Building Code and
NC State Fire Prevention Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes, and
NC General Statues
 Thorough knowledge of NFPA and OSHA codes and Town codes and ordinances
 Thorough knowledge of investigation resources such as NFPA 92 & Kirk's Fire
Investigation Textbook
 Knowledge of fire behavior, building construction, and fire suppression and alarm
systems
 Knowledge of firefighting tactics sufficient to assume command at fire incidents
 Knowledge of public education resources such as the Life Safety Code Textbook and NC
Fire and Life Safety Educator materials
 Knowledge of computer programs necessary to maintain fire inspection, productivity and
other necessary records
 Ability to conduct fire inspections and investigations and apply the NC Fire Code, NC
Building Code, and other codes and compliance regulations to the work performed
 Ability to utilizes various legal, technical, and education resources in the performance of
work
 Ability to respond to and manage stressful situations
 Ability to communicate effectively with other officials and the public, both in verbally
and in writing; ability to draft technical, narrative, and statistical reports
 Ability to plan and teach inspection and investigation techniques to firefighting personnel
Fire Inspector III
Town of Carolina Beach
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Physical Requirements
Work in this position is characteristically administrative and technical in nature. However,
depending upon the circumstances of any fire related call the employee may be exposed to some
of the same physical requirements of other fire employees which is heavy work requiring
exertion of in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force
frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Employee must
have the physical stamina to endure the rigors of intensive firefighting and salvage work.
Employee must have the visual acuity to be the operator of a truck and other equipment and be
able to distinguish colors and see peripherally in both eyes.
Working Conditions
Work in this position is characteristically administrative and technical in nature and is often
performed in an office environment or in the field examining structural facilities or fire scenes to
determine causes of fires. However, depending upon the circumstances of any fire related call the
employee may be subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions including exposure
to extreme heat (above 100 deg F) and extreme cold (below 32 deg F). Employee is subject to
noise, vibration, and hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to
moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working in high places, exposure to high heat, and
exposure to chemicals. Employee is subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory
system of the skin including oils and greases and is also required to wear a respirator or selfcontained breathing devices in certain instances. Employee frequently works in close quarters
and areas which could cause claustrophobia. Employee may be exposed to blood or blood-borne
pathogens when providing emergency medical services. At times the work is performed in
conditions of extreme temperatures and danger for prolonged periods of time during which time
one’s vision may be partially or totally obscured. Work is often performed under emergency
conditions and frequently involves personal hazard.
Education
Graduation from high school or GED equivalency; an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or
other related field of study is desired or actively pursuing the degree requirements.
Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years’ of firefighting, inspections, and investigations experience.
Special Requirements
 Certified as an Emergency Vehicle Operator
 NC Class B Non-Commercial Drivers’ license (CDL-B)
 NC Level II Firefighter;
 EMT
 Certification as a Fire Inspector II/Investigator by the North Carolina Department of
Insurance or ability to achieve and maintain Fire Inspector III within twelve to eighteen
months after employed
Fire Inspector III
Town of Carolina Beach
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Employee required to successfully complete the NIMS course work applicable to the
position within one year
FLSA Status: Nonexempt (eligible for overtime or equivalent compensatory time at 1½ times
the employee’s regular weekly rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in the Town’s
official work week and not the employee’s work schedule)
Disclaimer
This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of
work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be
interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications
required of employees to perform the job. The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
section of this classification may vary from position to position and a more thorough description
of these elements can be found in the employee’s Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ). The
Town of Carolina Beach reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to
this classification.
April 2015