Fire Inspector (Civilian)

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city's historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees. Why join the Fire Prevention Division of the Oakland Fire Department? The City of Oakland is currently recruiting to fill multiple vacancies for the position of Fire Inspector (Civilian) in the Fire Prevention Division of the Oakland Fire Department. The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for fire prevention, investigation, and commercial inspections. Joining the Oakland Fire Department as a Civilian Fire Inspector offers the opportunity to serve your community in a meaningful and highly visible way. In this role, your work directly contributes to protecting lives, homes, schools, and businesses by helping prevent fires before they happen. You'll be part of a dedicated public safety organization with a strong mission, where your inspections and enforcement efforts have a real and immediate impact on neighborhood safety—particularly in high-risk areas such as the Oakland hills and densely occupied buildings. The Department provides a supportive environment where inspectors work independently in the field while benefiting from the guidance and expertise of experienced fire prevention professionals. If you are looking for a career that combines technical skills, public service, and the satisfaction of making Oakland a safer place to live and work, this is a unique opportunity to do work that truly matters. We are looking for someone who is: Detail-oriented and committed to ensuring compliance with fire and life safety codes. Organized and reliable in maintaining accurate inspection records, reports, and documentation. Able to apply and interpret technical codes, regulations, and ordinances in day-to-day inspection and enforcement activities. Professional and calm when interacting with property owners, contractors, school officials, and the public. Comfortable conducting inspections both indoors and outdoors, including vegetation and state-mandated inspections, with considerable walking and physical activity. Interested in learning and growing within a public-sector fire prevention and inspection environment. What you will typically be responsible for: Performing vegetation management and defensible space inspections in the Oakland hills during fire season, particularly for private residential parcels. Conducting fire and life safety inspections of residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial properties. Inspecting new construction and tenant improvements for compliance with applicable fire and building codes. Issuing notices of violation, explaining corrective actions, and conducting follow-up inspections to ensure compliance. Preparing clear, accurate written reports, correspondence, and inspection records using electronic systems and mobile devices. Responding to public inquiries, complaints, and fire hazard reports by phone, email, and in the field. Read the complete job description by clicking this City of Oakland Fire Inspector (Civilian) Class Specification •Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland! Working for the City of Oakland A few reasons you might love this job: You will play a direct role in protecting lives, property, and neighborhoods throughout Oakland. No two days are the same, with a wide variety of inspections and fieldwork across the city. You will gain hands-on experience with a wide range of structures, occupancies, and fire prevention activities. You will build strong relationships with community members, schools, and businesses. A few challenges you might face in this job: Working outdoors in varied terrain and weather conditions, especially during fire season. Handling challenging conversations with property owners or occupants about code violations and enforcement actions. Managing a high volume of inspections with firm regulatory and state-mandated deadlines.

Competencies Required:

Adaptability:

Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires Attention to

Detail:

Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products

Building & Maintaining Relationships:

Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships

Critical Thinking:

Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims

Decision Making:

Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner

Fact Finding:

O btaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question

Informing:

Proactively obtaining and sharing information

Legal & Regulatory Navigation:

Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations

Oral Communication:

Engaging effectively in dialogue

Professional & Technical Expertise:

Applying technical subject matter to the job

Professional Integrity & Ethics:

Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability

Reading Comprehension:

Understanding and using written information

Safety Focus:

Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards This recruitment will produce an Open list. The open list will be for applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process. This is a public contact position. The City highly encourages all bilingual candidates to apply! Some positions may require bilingual skills in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. Under the authority of Civil Service Rules Section 5.03, if a position requires bilingual language skills, only those candidates who have indicated they are bilingual in the required language(s) will be referred. Bilingual candidates will be required to successfully pass a language proficiency test if selected for hire. Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. An Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Fire Technology or a closely related field is desired. Successful completion of Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D courses (effective August 1, 2013) is highly desirable.

Experience:

Two (2) years of journey-level experience with a governmental agency or private organization, performing inspection and enforcement duties related to fire, safety, planning, zoning or building of commercial, industrial, institutional and/or multiple dwelling units. License or Certificate / Other Requirements Must obtain a valid Fire Inspector I certification through one of the following: International Code Council (ICC) OR California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) OR National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) OR equivalent as defined by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal by the completion of probation and maintain possession by renewing the certification on or before the expiration date. Fire Prevention Officer/Fire Inspector I & II Certifications are desirable. Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must pass a thorough background investigation, including an employment physical examination.

Desirable Qualifications:

Successful completion of Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D courses (effective August 1, 2013)

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position. Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas. Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications. In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final. For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to take an online multiple-choice test, (weighted 100%). You will have 7 days to complete the test once the link is sent to your email. This is tentatively planned to launch during the week of July 27, 2026. Candidates requesting reasonable accommodations for the examination process must request accommodations no later than one week before they are scheduled to take the exam; otherwise, it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation in Testing form by clicking on this link or by copying and pasting the link into your browser to open it: https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Request-for-Reasonable-Accommodation-in-Testing-2.9.22-Fillable.pdf Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you're applying to a "restricted" posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass. The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. What's in it for you? 15 paid holidays

Vacation:

2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service

Retirement:

CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in

Social Security Health:

The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans

Dental:

Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents

Vision:

VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year

Deferred Compensation:

457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax

ROTH 401

(k)plan Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training. •Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list. Disaster Service Workers All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency. How to Apply Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system.

APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY.

You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Cynthia Ng, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at cng@oaklandca.gov.