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Overview
Senior Fire Prevention Specialists are experienced professionals who lead complex fire prevention, inspection, and hazardous materials programs. They play a key role in ensuring public safety, interpreting fire codes, and providing technical expertise to the community, businesses, and city leadership.
What They Do
Advanced Inspections & Code Enforcement
- Conduct detailed inspections of high-risk and complex properties (e.g., refineries, industrial sites, high-rise buildings)
- Enforce fire, building, and environmental regulations and issue violations when needed
- Interpret codes and provide expert guidance to businesses and the public
Plan Review & Technical Oversight
- Review complex building and fire protection system plans (sprinklers, alarms, access, etc.)
- Work with architects, developers, and engineers to ensure safety compliance
- Coordinate plan reviews across city departments for new development projects
Hazardous Materials & Environmental Programs
- Oversee hazardous materials inspections and compliance programs
- Review chemical inventories and risk management plans
- Provide technical guidance on safe handling, storage, and regulatory requirements
Investigations & Enforcement
- Conduct fire origin and cause investigations, including complex or suspicious incidents
- Assist with enforcement actions and legal cases, including providing expert testimony
- Work with law enforcement and regional agencies on fire-related investigations
Leadership & Coordination
- Provide technical direction and training to Fire Prevention Specialists
- Represent the Fire Department at meetings, committees, and public forums
- Help develop policies, recommendations, and safety programs
Skills & Expertise
Senior Fire Prevention Specialists have advanced knowledge of:
- Fire and building codes, regulations, and enforcement
- Fire protection systems and plan review processes
- Hazardous materials regulations and risk analysis
- Fire investigation techniques
- Data analysis, reporting, and technical communication
Qualifications
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and skills required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:
Experience
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in plan review and inspection of buildings and systems for compliance with fire safety standards, preferably in a county or municipal environment or three years of recent experience in the use, handling, storage, disposal or inspection of hazardous materials. A Bachelor's of Arts/Science in Fire Prevention, Fire Science, Fire Technology, or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. A Master's degree may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
Experience that demonstrates familiarity with safety requirements for hazardous material use, handling, storage, disposal or inspection is highly desirable.
Education
For UPA (Unified Program Agencies) staff who have experience in conducting and/or overseeing inspections and enforcement activities prior to July 1, 2024, the following education requirements apply in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 27, Div 1, Article 5, Section 15260 (b):
An Associate of Arts/Science degree in Fire Prevention, Fire Science, Fire Technology, or a related field.
For UPA staff who do not have experience conducting and/or overseeing inspections and enforcement activities prior to July 1, 2024, the following education requirements apply in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 27, Div 1, Article 5, Section 15260 (a)(1-3):
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or degree with major course work from one or more of the following disciplines: Biology or microbiology; Chemistry or chemical engineering; Physics or physical science; Environmental science; Geology or soil science; Environmental health; Environmental or sanitary engineering; Toxicology; Industrial hygiene; Hazardous materials management; or Fire science or fire technology.
- OR -
Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist.
- OR -
Thirty (30) semester units or forty-six (46) quarter units in the disciplines listed in italics from an accredited college or university, or other institution. One year of qualifying experience in hazardous materials management regulation, analysis, or research; environmental research, monitoring, surveillance or enforcement; or resource recovery may be substituted for a maximum of 15 semester units or 23 quarter units.
License and/or Certificates
A valid California Class C Drivers’ License; and
(Incumbents must obtain the following certifications by end of probation)
- California Penal Code 832 certificate
- California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Fire Investigator certificate
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) certificate.
- International Code Council (ICC) Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector certificate.
The following certifications are desirable:
- Certified Stormwater Inspector – Municipal Certificate
- ICC Fire Inspector I or II
- ICC Fire Plans Examiner
- CSFM Fire Inspector I or II
- CSFM Fire Plans Examiner
- CSFM Community Risk Educator