Fire/Building Inspector

Salary : $115,404.00 - $147,288.00 Annually
Location : Morgan Hill, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 042025
Department: Development Services Department
Division: Building
Opening Date: 04/14/2025
Closing Date: 5/2/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
CITY OF MORGAN HILLFire/Building Inspector
$9,617 - $12,274 Monthly
$115,404 - $147,288 Annually

Choose Morgan Hill: The City of Morgan Hill is the best community for people to live, work, visit, and operate their businesses.

Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Building Manager, the Fire/Building Inspector is responsible for enforcing applicable fire and building codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations. This role involves conducting detailed building and fire plan reviews, as well as field inspections throughout the development process of residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Class Characteristics:

This is a journey-level class requiring the ability to interpret and apply complex building and fire codes with minimal supervision. This role involves frequent interaction with developers, contractors, and property owners, requiring strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Application and Selection Process:
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please apply by Friday, May 2, 2025, by 5:00 PM.
Please apply on-line at and submit the following:

• Completed application
• Responses to the supplemental questions
• Copy of required certification(s)
• Cover letter
• Resume

Examples of Duties
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The Fire/Building Inspector performs duties independently and collaboratively with the Building Manager, City staff, contractors, engineers, architects, consultants, and other community groups. Key responsibilities include:

• Conduct thorough plan reviews of residential, commercial, and industrial projects for compliance with state and local building and fire codes.
• Evaluate and review fire protection systems, including sprinklers, fire mains, detection and alarm systems, and smoke control systems.
• Assess site development plans for adequate fire apparatus access, water supply, and fire hydrant placement.
• Provide technical guidance to architects, engineers, developers, and property owners regarding building and fire code compliance.
• Perform engineering calculations related to fire flow, hydraulic design, building areas, and occupant loads.
• Issue written reports detailing building and fire code interpretations, deficiencies, and required corrections.
• Conduct inspections of buildings, structures, and fire protection systems to verify compliance with fire and building codes.
• Investigate fire-related code violations and provide technical assistance to staff and customers.
• Attend design review meetings to provide input on fire and building code compliance for new construction projects.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, plan reviews, and permits while preparing detailed reports.
• Stay up to date with changes in codes, laws, and regulations and attend ongoing training.
• Provide excellent customer service and maintain a professional image on behalf of the City of Morgan Hill.
• May perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements
Qualifications Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any combination of education, experience and training will qualify provided it meets the knowledge, skills and abilities required.
Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in fire and/or building plan review or inspections.
• College coursework in construction, fire or building inspection or related technical curriculum is highly desirable.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid California Class C driver's license in compliance with City driving standards.
• State Fire Marshal Fire Inspector I or International Code Council Fire Inspector I or equivalent.
• ICC Building Inspector Certification or equivalent (must be obtained within one year of hire).
• ICC Fire Plans Examiner Certification or equivalent (must be obtained within one year of hire).

Desirable Qualifications:

• Licensed Fire Protection Engineer (California).
• NICET Certification in Fire Alarm or Water Based Systems.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Certifications.
• California State Fire Marshal Plans Examiner Certification.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have sufficient mobility to inspect construction projects in the field.
• Must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions and the physical capability for sustained walking, standing, and climbing.
• Must be able to respond to work various hours, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays in unusual or emergency situations.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• State and local building codes, including the California Building Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code, Electrical Code, and Plumbing Code.
• Fire protection systems.
• Inspection procedures and policies.
• Typical construction methods and materials.

Skills in:

• Interpreting, applying, and explaining complex codes, laws, and regulations.
• Reading and interpreting construction plans and specifications.
• Detecting and correcting problems at the earliest stage of construction.
• Use of office software including Microsoft Office, and permit processing systems.
• Providing outstanding customer satisfaction (internally and externally).

Ability to:

• Work effectively in outside environments which are often subject to the noise of large equipment and other conditions common to buildings under construction.
• Exercise safe work and driving practices.
• Exercise initiative and sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Represent the City effectively in meetings with others.
• Prepare clear, concise, and competent reports, correspondence and other written materials.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, crawl, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.

Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees generally work 50% indoors and 50% outdoors.

The work environment indoors is usually in a temperature-controlled office; some travel is required.

While performing the duties of this job outdoors, the employee occasionally works in varying weather conditions, visiting developed and undeveloped sites in various stages of construction.

Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to outdoor construction equipment.

Retirement Plans

Benefit DescriptionEligibleEmployeesContribution & Notes
CalPers:
2.5% @ 55 Plan for Classic Employees
2% @ 62 Plan for New Employees Non-Public Safety EmployeesEmployee paid: employee contribution pre-tax; employee and employer share future CalPERS increases 50./50

Optional: IRS 457 Tax Deferred Comp. plans with Empower Retirement (Mass Mutual) or Mission Square (ICMA) All regular employeesEmployee paid: pre-tax contributions to plan.
City will contribute 2% to 457 planat time of hire and up to 4% total after years of service to 457 plan.

Health Benefit Plans

Benefit DescriptionEligibleEmployeesContribution & Notes
CalPers Health Plans:
PPO: PERS Choice, PERS Care, PERS Select
HMO: Blue Shield, Anthem, United Healthcare, Kaiser

Medical and Dental The City will contribute between $1,070.73 to $2,806.25 per month depending on the level of coverage. Employee is responsible for costs that exceed City's contribution.

Vision Care
EyeMed or VSP. Employee Paid

Optional Flex Benefits
IRS 125 medical & dependent care reimbursement accounts. Employee Paid

Employee Assistance Program
Concern-EAP All employees City Paid: Includes confidential counseling for a variety of employee work/life issues.

Insurance Plans

Benefit Description EligibleEmployees Contribution & Notes
Disability Insurance
Long Term / Short Term All Non-Safety employees City Paid

Life Insurance
Life + AD&D policy:
$100,000 All AFSCME employees City Paid

Optional Flex Benefits
Whole life insurance All Employees Employee Paid

Time Off Work

Benefit Description EligibleEmployees Contribution & Notes
Holidays
13.5 defined holidays per year including 2 "floating" holidays All employees City Paid: Public Safety employees who normally work holidays receive 6.5% of base pay in lieu of time off

Vacation
80 ~ 160 hrs/yr All AFSCME employees City Paid: Employees begin with 80 hours accrual per year, increasing by 8 hours per year up to 160 hours per year during the 10th year of service.
Maximum bank of two years worth of accrual.

Sick Leave
8 hrs/month All employees City Paid: Employees may use up to 16 hours of sick leave for personal leave depending on bargaining unit.
No limit on accumulation.
Family Medical Leave & other leaves All employees City Paid: Bereavement leave 24 or 40 hrs.
Family Medical Leave and other paid or unpaid leaves provided as required by law.
01

Please explain your experience in fire and/or building plan review or inspections.
02

Do you currently possess a State Fire Marshal Fire Inspector I or International Code Council Fire Inspector I or equivalent? If yes, please note which certification.
Required Question