Department:

Emergency Services

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

As the Fire Safety Inspector/Trainee you will perform code enforcement work in the area of LIFE and FIRE SAFETY, new and existing acceptance testing of Fire Protection Systems and Certificate of Occupancy Inspections through the use of national and state codes as adopted by County Ordinance and enforced through the Counties Special Master process.

Conduct Fire and Life Safety Inspections of existing commercial and multi-family occupancies to ensure compliance with Fire and Life Safety codes within the jurisdictional area of the Sarasota County Fire Department for compliance with adopted fire and life safety codes and standards.

Fire Safety Inspector Trainees will undergo on-the-job training while attending the necessary classes to obtain their Florida State Fire Safety Inspector I Certificate. Candidates will have up to six months to obtain the certificate and Sarasota County Government will pay the costs associated with obtainment of the certificate.

• To include the enforcement of Florida Fire Prevention Code, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, Florida State Statute, and the Rules of the State Fire Marshal as adopted by the State of Florida and the County of Sarasota, enforceable through the County’s Special Master Process; as provided by County Ordinance.

• Responsible for the surveying of businesses and commercial structures for the identification of hazardous materials; communicating information to the hazardous materials coordinator of the department for pre-fire incident planning. In addition, once identified, to ensure the handling, storage and processing of flammable, combustible and hazardous materials, meets all Fire & Life Safety measures as applicable through manufacturers’ recommendations, model codes and standards.

• To inspect, test and accept all Fire Protection Systems as installed within the existing and new structures of the jurisdictional area and to conduct in conjunction with the other enforcement branches of the County in the release and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy Inspections.

• Shall assist other County Departments and appropriate authorities as required and/or to report any discrepancies in model codes, standards and ordinances as adopted by Sarasota County to said authorities.

• Shall provide to those areas of the County outside of the jurisdictional boundaries of the Fire Department, through cooperation with the County Building & Standards, acceptance review, inspections and testing of new installations of Fire Protection and Suppression Systems in existing structures; as well as compliance to all applicable Fire and Life Safety codes and standards.

• Recordkeeping and preparing/maintaining data files, forms and written communications into appropriate business occupancy files, as well as to the coordinators of the Department’s Hazardous Materials Team, County Planner, Hazardous Waste Section and other County Departments and agencies as it applies.

• To communicate with the General Public, and follow-up on citizen inquiries and/or complaints, as well as perform Fire Safety Awareness Programs within the business community in their assigned inspection district.

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

Fire Safety Inspector:

• A High School Diploma or its equivalent required.

• A current Florida Fire Safety Inspector Certificate as issued by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training.

• A valid Florida Driver’s License at time of hire.

Fire Safety Inspector Trainee:

• A High School Diploma or its equivalent required.

• A valid Florida Driver’s License at time of hire.

• Ability to obtain Florida Fire Safety Inspector Certificate as issued by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training within six(6) months of hire.

  Preferred Qualifications :

• An Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or Fire Administration preferred or related year–for-year experience with advanced classes in Fire Science, Hazardous Materials or Inspections.

• Prefer one-year fire safety experience or similar experience, but not required.

Physical Demands: Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.

About Everything Else

Fire Safety Inspector Starting Pay Range: $26.72 - $27.66 hourly based upon experience

Fire Safety Inspector Trainee Pay: $24.05 hourly

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Starting January 2024, choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!

• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) for additional information.

• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms and classes at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.

• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

Do you like leaving things better than you found them? We serve the greater good! Our team is here to make Sarasota the premier community to live, work and play!

Sarasota has 37 miles of award-winning beaches, over 80 parks and 100 golf courses, and is known as the cultural capital of Florida with museums of art, theaters, an aquarium, botanical gardens and the annual international film festival. Unsurpassed beauty, rich cultural offering, diverse educational opportunities, wide-ranging recreational possibilities make Sarasota a great place to live and work!

We believe in work-life balance with a generous leave plan.

“US News & World Report: Sarasota is No. 1 in Florida and No. 18 in the country for best place to live.”

We need YOU to help create wonderful experiences for residents and vacationing guests enjoying Sarasota! Apply today!