Fire Inspector/Investigator

Attention Applicants: To ensure your application is considered, please read this job announcement in its entirety. It contains essential information about the role, our organization, and specific instructions on how to apply. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application being disregarded. We value attention to detail and adherence to our application process, so please carefully review all sections and submit all necessary documents with your electronic application. Your thorough understanding and compliance with these guidelines are key to advancing in our selection process.

 

Why Come Work for Clackamas Fire

   

Join the forefront of emergency response with Clackamas Fire, one of Oregon's largest and most dynamic fire protection districts. We are at the heart of community safety, proudly serving nearly 250,000 residents across a diverse 303-square-mile area.

 

Our expansive service area is a tapestry of vibrant communities, including Gladstone, Happy Valley, Johnson City, Milwaukie, Oregon City, and Sandy, along with numerous thriving unincorporated areas. This diversity not only enriches our work but also challenges and hones our skills in unique ways, making us adaptable and proficient in a wide range of emergency scenarios.

 

Our team includes dedicated individuals that serve across a variety of disciplines, providing high-quality internal and external customer service. Our firefighters expertly handle tens of thousands of incidents annually from 24 strategically located fire stations. The fire marshal's office, public education, and wildland personnel protect our communities through community risk reduction activities. Our support and administrative personnel are the backbone of our mission, using their technical expertise and skills to keep our systems, infrastructure, equipment, and people functioning efficiently and enable our firefighters to perform at their best.

 

At Clackamas Fire, our commitment goes beyond the call of duty:

 

• We are a family of professionals, united by our purpose, " Sworn to Serve, Dedicated to Save, " driving us to excel in saving lives and protecting property.

  • Innovation, accountability, and teamwork are not just concepts but the pillars of our operational excellence, ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of fire and emergency services.

  • Our values are embodied in " TEAMS": Trust, Empowerment, Accountability, Mindset, and Service . These values are the compass guiding our actions, fostering a culture where open communication, critical thinking, and exceptional service are the norms.

  • We are deeply invested in the personal and professional growth of our team, understanding that their well-being directly translates to the quality of service we provide to our community.

  • Our relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our work is driven by a singular goal: to earn and maintain the unwavering trust of the communities we serve, ensuring their safety and resilience.

By choosing a career with Clackamas Fire, you're not just joining a team; you're becoming part of a family dedicated to making a significant impact in the lives of others and the safety of our community. ## Job Opening Description A Fire Inspector/Fire Investigator performs inspections, code enforcement, fire investigations, and public education activities to carry out the Fire District's fire prevention programs. This position's primary function is focused on conducting fire and life safety inspections.  This position may serve as a specialist in a pre-determined specialized or technical area involving the duties and responsibilities of the Fire Marshal’s Office. The employee is expected to promote good public relations and communicate effectively with customers. The Fire Inspector/Fire Investigator must demonstrate the ability to perform both independently and as a team member.  They must have the ability to initiate and develop close working relationships with department heads, staff, elected officials of local, city and county organizations, and community members. The employee may deliver fire and life safety education programs to the community and represent the Fire District at various code enforcement or new construction meetings.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of a Captain Deputy Fire Marshal or Fire Marshal, but independently applies techniques and procedures to accomplish assignments.

Supervision Exercised: Supervision of employees is not a responsibility of this position. However, a Fire Inspector/Fire Investigator may supervise programs, provide instructional direction to company personnel relating to company inspections, and may also assist with training. ## Duties and Responsibilities The statements contained herein reflect the principle functions, level of knowledge, and typical skills of this job, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or provide relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload. Regular attendance is required for this position.

• Inspects commercial and industrial properties, hospitals, multi-family residential, nursing homes, schools, public assembly, and similar buildings and installations for fire hazards, efficiency of fire protection equipment, adequacy of fire escapes and fire exits, and for general compliance with fire prevention codes, laws, and regulations. 
• Will review inspection, testing, and maintenance reports weekly and provide guidance on repairs.
• Reviews inspection results with property owners and occupants, explains any violations or concerns, and orders repairs or changes when necessary.  Keeps records, prepares inspection reports, and makes recommendations to supervisors. 
• Schedules follow-up inspections to verify that deficiencies have been corrected.
• Responds to concerns and complaints about fire and life safety systems, fire hazards, and other fire prevention related inquiries. 
• Serves as a liaison to an assigned battalion to assist in fire prevention activities.
• Participate in public education activities.
• Could be assigned to work with the public education group.
• Inspects storage and use of explosives and flammable materials. 
• Assists in conducting district wide fire prevention programs for civic clubs, schools, senior centers, and other groups.
• Represents the Fire District by attending various meetings pertaining to fire prevention programs. 
• Serves as a specialist in a technical field, such as fireworks, hazardous materials, or juvenile fire setter intervention. 
• Evaluates construction plans for compliance with fire and life safety codes and witnesses acceptance testing.
• Attends conferences, schools, classes and other meetings to keep abreast of new developments and techniques relating to laws, regulations, fire investigation, new construction, inspection procedures, and other related subjects to maintain necessary certificates. 
• Conducts fire origin and cause investigation activities as assigned by a supervisor in a manner consistent with established standards.
• Will be on call as an investigator and required to work after hours.
• Maintains effective, professional working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and cross-functional stakeholders to support a cooperative and productive work environment.

• Other duties as assigned.

  Desired Competencies:

• Composure

• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality
• Ethics and Values
• Functional / Technical Skills
• Integrity and Trust
• Listening
• Peer Relationships
• Self-Development
• Technical Learning
• Time Management

• Written Communications

  Qualifications

  **Minimum  **

• Valid Driver's license and acceptable driving record

• High School Diploma, GED, or College Degree
• ICC Fire Inspector I
• Must obtain ICC Fire Inspector II by the end of probationary period.  Clackamas Fire will pay for 3 attempts to pass the ICC Fire Inspector II exam during the probationary period.
• Successfully complete Clackamas Fire evaluation components 

• Successfully complete Clackamas Fire post testing clearance **Preferred **

• Associate’s degree or above

• Experience and/or training in any type of inspection, investigations or fire service
• ICC Fire Inspector II
• ICC Fire Plans Examiner
• Valid NFPA Fire Investigator certification issued by DPSST, IFSAC, or Pro-Board
• Valid NFPA Fire Instructor I, II, III certification issued by DPSST, IFSAC, or Pro-Board
• Valid NFPA Fire Inspector I, II, III certification issued by DPSST, IFSAC, or Pro-Board
• Valid NFPA Public Fire & Life Safety Educator I, II, III certification issued by DPSST, IFSAC, or Pro-Board
• Valid NFPA Youth Fire setter Intervention Specialist certification issued by DPSST, IFSAC, or Pro-Board
• IAAI Certified Fire Investigator
• IAAI Fire Investigator Technician ## Supplemental Information Evaluation Components

Application Review

• Component Weight: 20%
• Week of December 21, 2026

In-Person Assessment – Presentation

• Component Weight: 30%
• Week of January 4, 2026

In-Person Assessment – Panel Interview

• Component Weight: 50%
• Week of January 4, 2026

Candidates receiving a minimum passing score of 75% will be placed on the eligible register for a period of 30 months.

Questions regarding this position can be directed to:

Program Specialist Nannette Howland

Clackamas Fire District

Telephone: 503-742-2954 (Email is preferred)

recruitment.inbox@clackamasfire.com (Please add the job title to the subject line)

How to Apply

To apply for this position, click on “Apply” button to fill out all information in the online application and complete the questionnaire. Failure to do so may result in your application being removed from consideration.

Application Checklist

1. Completed electronic application including supplemental questions

2. Resume (UPLOAD). Please clearly address your years of experience as it relates to the position.

3. Cover Letter (UPLOAD). Should include why you want to work at Clackamas Fire and a description of your experience/service relating to the position.

4. High School Diploma, GED, or College Degree (UPLOAD).

5. Certification & Documentation (UPLOAD) . Please read all supplemental questions carefully and attach all application documents requested. Including ICC Fire Inspector I.

6. Veteran Documentation (UPLOAD) . To receive veteran preference points you must attach appropriate documentation (DD214).

_After you Apply_

You will get an email stating your application has been submitted. Log in to your government jobs account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or notifications, and make sure to complete these tasks before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the “My Applications” section.

Be sure to check both your email and government jobs account for updates regarding this recruitment.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

October 15, 2026 – Announcement Posting

December 20, 2026 – Close Date

Week of December 21, 2026 - Application Review

Week of December 21, 2026 – Assessment Invitations sent to qualified candidates

Week of January 4, 2026 – In Person Assessment

Week of January 11, 2026 - Final scores sent to candidates

January 12-14, 19-21, 25-28, 2026 - 10 Day Review

February 10, 2026 – Special Civil Service Meeting (Establishing Certified List)

Dates to be Determined - Chief's Interview

Post Clearance & Special Requirements

Clackamas Fire District will conduct criminal background checks on final candidates. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment checks such as driver’s license, drug screening, employment history verification, reference checks, and education verification, as required for the position.

Post Clearance Requirements

• Successfully pass driving & background check clearance
• Successfully complete a pre-employment drug test
• Successfully complete a pre-employment 1582 NFPA Physical

Additional Information

This is an in-person with a 4/10 schedule from Monday to Thursday. The standard working hours are from 7am to 5 pm. Hybrid work or work from home arrangements are not available for this position. Mandatory participate in the fire investigator on-call rotation after hours.

**Veteran's Preference Points**** Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. To receive preference, veterans must attach a copy of their DD Form 214. Veterans, as defined by Oregon Law, shall be given five (5) percentage points and disabled veterans will receive ten (10) percentage points on the pre-screening process and final grades in accordance with ORS 408.230 (Veterans’ preference in public employment.

Additional information:

• During the recruitment process, and until the eligibility list has been established, observer ride-alongs will not be permitted.

  • Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes. 

  • Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources. NOTE: If claiming veterans’ preference please be sure to attach your DD214 or Disability letter from the VA. 

  • Clackamas Fire does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Clackamas Fire District will review these documents to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. 

  • If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Clackamas Fire Human Resources Division by calling 503-742-2669.  

_ _

Clackamas Fire is an equal opportunity employer committed to work force diversity, fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income.

 

Clackamas Fire is a drug free workplace.