Inspector-Fire

The Role

A Fire Inspector is responsible for promoting and enforcing fire safety regulations as set out in relevant provincial legislation, municipal bylaws, and within division operating practices through comprehensive building inspections. This role often involves visiting a wide range of environments, including high-risk properties, vacant buildings, and homeless encampments, where conditions may be challenging. Fire Inspectors will assist with the delivery of public education and public relations programs throughout the community and provide fire safety training to various client groups. As an Assistant to the Fire Marshal, a Fire Inspector will conduct post-fire investigations to determine fire cause and origin. Fire Inspectors must complete ongoing training to attain and maintain professional qualifications as a Fire Inspector in the Province of Ontario.

Meet your department...

We protect lives, property, and the environment through emergency response, fire prevention, and public education. Our team responds to fires and emergencies, conducts inspections, and delivers safety programs that keep Kingston prepared and resilient.

What you'll do...

Conduct comprehensive inspections of buildings, premises, high-risk properties, homeless encampments, and other non-traditional spaces to ensure compliance with the Ontario Fire Code, often in potentially hazardous or unpredictable environments.

Review designated aspects of building plans and inspect new construction for compliance with fire safety requirements of the Ontario Building Code.

Investigate post-fire scenes to determine fire cause and origin, including those in structurally compromised buildings or areas with exposure to smoke, heat, and debris.

Assist with the delivery of fire safety education and public relations programs to a diverse community audience, including at-risk populations.

Responsible for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external agencies to address and mitigate fire safety concerns in high-risk properties, including encampments, hoarding situations, and shelters.

Keep detailed notes of all activities and prepare accurate reports, sketches, and summaries of findings.

Participate in ongoing training and professional development.

Comply with all Kingston Fire & Rescue Operational Policies and Procedures.

Provide testimony in Court and before boards regarding matters arising from the duties of a Fire Prevention Officer.

Evaluate fire protection systems, fire alarms, and automatic sprinkler systems.

Review development proposals for compliance with fire service access requirements.

Provide support to children and their families involved in matters arising from false alarms and juvenile fire setting.

Provide fire safety guidance to vulnerable populations, including occupants of encampments or unsafe dwellings, while ensuring personal safety and situational awareness.

Attend emergency situations to provide support and information to operations crews as needed.

Prepare press releases, articles, and website presentations in support of division activities.

Other duties as assigned.

To qualify, you'll need...

Extensive training and experience in conducting fire safety inspections, performing building plans review and a firm working knowledge of all provincial legislation pertaining to fire protection and prevention in new and existing buildings.

Post-secondary training or equivalent in a relevant discipline and achieved designation as a technologist in the field of fire protection, fire sciences, engineering or architectural technology or equivalent.

Possess NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector Level I certification.

NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator certification would be considered an asset.

NFPA 1035 Public Fire and Life Safety Educator Level I and Public Information Officer certification would be considered assets.

Knowledge of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA), Ontario Fire Code (OFC), Ontario Building Code (OBC), Provincial Offences Act, applicable municipal by-laws, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and Office of the Fire Marshal directives.

Must be familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations applicable to the work.

Possession of a current and valid minimum Level C CPR certificate issued prior to the application submission date, and a current and valid Standard First Aid certificate issued no more than one year prior to the application submission date.

Training pertaining to high-risk properties, including encampments, hoarding situations, and shelters would be considered an asset.

Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including strenuous walking, climbing, digging and lifting; ability to bend, crawl and climb ladders or scaffolding while conducting inspections; and ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and/or respirators.

Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions and willingness and ability to work in adverse conditions, including inclement weather.

Applicants must be available to participate in an on-call rotation for fire investigations, including responding to emergencies outside of regular working hours.

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Strong written and oral communication skills in the English language are essential.

Ability to interact harmoniously with co-workers, superiors and members of the public.

Background in customer service and speaking in public forums.

Must possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class G driver’s license or higher (or equivalent for out-of-province applicants), along with a driver’s abstract deemed acceptable to the City of Kingston (0 demerit points).

Must obtain and maintain a satisfactory Criminal Record Check (CPIC), including Vulnerable Sector Search.

Why us?

Join a team that’s building more than a city - we’re building a community where people thrive. At the City of Kingston, your work has real impact: safer streets, greener spaces, inclusive experiences, innovative transit, creative public spaces, and brighter futures for all.

We’re more than just a municipal government - we’re a team of problem-solvers, innovators, and community-builders who take pride in shaping the place we call home. As an employer, we’re committed to your growth, your well-being, and creating an environment where every voice counts. Your career is more than a job - it’s where your impact begins.

Why you’ll love it here…

We provide our employees with a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, which may include extended health coverage, travel and life insurance, and long-term disability. Specific benefits can vary depending on your role and terms of employment.

In addition, employees may enjoy access to:

• OMERS defined pension plan
• Vacation entitlements
• Employee wellness and assistance programs and resources
• Ongoing training and education opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Corporate perks such as discounted transit and fitness passes
• Learning & development resources and networks
• Relocation assistance and local resources

To learn more about working at the City of Kingston, click here.

Learn more about what makes Kingston so special on PossibleMadeHere.org.

How to apply

Submit your online application by 11:59 PM on the job posting closing date. Click the 'APPLY HERE' button to complete your application.

Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment and selection process to support a barrier-free experience for all candidates in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodations, please let us know. For more information, you can contact us at [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who applies. While we value each application, only those advancing in the recruitment process will be contacted. All personal information will be handled in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

The City of Kingston may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) assisted tools throughout the recruitment process. All final hiring decisions are made by qualified municipal staff.

Internal applications: https://bit.ly/city-kingston-internal
External applications: https://bit.ly/city-kingston-external

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Our commitment

The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.