Job DetailsJob Location: North St Paul, MN 55109Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $35.66 - $46.60 HourlyCITY OF NORTH ST. PAUL JOB DESCRIPTION FIRE INSPECTOR DEPARTMENT: Fire Department JOB LOCATION: North St. Paul SUPERVISOR: Fire Chief STATUS: Full-Time / Non-Exempt UPDATED: April 2026 Position Summary Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the Fire Inspector is responsible for community risk reduction, inspections, fire prevention, and public education. The role ensures compliance with fire and life safety codes through plan reviews and inspections of new and existing residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The Fire Inspector also assists with fire investigations. As a certified firefighter, this position will also respond to emergency calls as assigned and may act as the Fire Marshal in their absence. This is a full-time position with a regular schedule of five 8-hour workdays, Monday through Friday, requiring flexibility to perform fire investigations, public education activities, or inspections outside of regular hours as needed. Essential Areas of Responsibility Emergency Response Respond to a wide range of emergency incidents and scenes, as assigned, to control and extinguish fires, contain hazardous materials, deliver emergency medical care, and protect life and property. Fire Inspections Enforce Minnesota State Fire Codes, Property Maintenance Codes, other state codes, and City ordinances and policies. Assist in the enforcement of building, zoning, and health and safety codes through the review of plans and specifications. Review construction plans for fire and life safety compliance. Assist and supply information to the public and building construction personnel on matters relating to the City ordinances and policies. Conduct on-site property inspections. Issue citations for fire code violations as needed. Recommend the necessary amendments to City ordinances and policies to effectively perform the duties of the position. Rental Housing Inspections Enforce Minnesota State Fire Codes, Property Maintenance Codes, other state codes, and city ordinances. Conduct Rental Licensing inspections of residential properties; inspect premise interior and exterior. Identify violations and determine and prioritize options for correcting them by enforcing applicable codes and standards; monitor completion of work assigned. Fire Prevention & Education Coordinate Project SafeHaven: home safety inspection and smoke alarm installation. Assist with the development and administration of public education programs on fire safety for the North St. Paul Community. Assist with the development and administration of Youth Fire Prevention education programs. Assist with the development and administration of annual Fire Prevention Week education programs/presentations for schools in North St. Paul Administration Assist in the analysis of data to be used for department reports and strategic planning. Collaborate with city departments and community partners on safety initiatives. Maintain records, complete reports, and support administrative functions. Demonstrates, by example, leadership, ingenuity, service excellence, and integrity expected from all City staff as defined by our core values and code of conduct. Other Assist with fire investigations of all fires assigned by the Fire Chief, in coordination with other staff members and/or other agencies. Attend related meetings and training drills during regular and after-hours as needed to maintain required certifications. Keep the Fire Chief always informed of job-related activities. Support and enforce City policies, procedures, operations, and safety rules. Performs other duties as apparent or assigned. Schedule The work week will consist of 40 hours, with the potential for scheduled and unscheduled overtime hours as determined by the Fire Chief or as required by the job. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Thorough knowledge of the modern principles and techniques of fire suppression. Ability to enforce fire department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. Knowledge of applicable municipal laws, city policies, and ordinances. Knowledge of current principles and practices of rental housing inspection, fire inspection, and property maintenance code enforcement administration, including general knowledge of departmental services, functions, and operations General knowledge of the principles and practices of building construction and electrical and mechanical systems. Skill to communicate with a variety of individuals and handle a variety of customer service situations. Ability to use various office equipment and software programs. Ability to work independently and plan, organize, and prioritize work tasks. Ability to prepare clear reports and prepare work results with completeness and accuracy and solve complex problems promptly. Ability to collect, maintain, and analyze department-related data. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, citizen commissions, council members, staff from other public agencies, and citizens. Ability to maintain physical fitness and perform the duties of a firefighter. Safety It is the responsibility of all City staff to promote and contribute to a safe work environment. This is accomplished by proactively identifying and correcting the unsafe conditions or notifying the appropriate personnel to address the problem. All employees shall follow all City and other applicable safety policies and procedures related to the job. Operates all equipment according to proper safety procedures and standards; does not exceed load limits, performance abilities, and adheres to all traffic laws. Work Environment The work environmental characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands Physical demands include standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms, climbing, crouching, kneeling, or crawling. The employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and perform all functions of a firefighter. Language Skills Ability to read and interpret detailed instructions, correspondence, and procedural manuals, City policies, ordinances, contracts, and state statutes. Ability to use grammar and spelling to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Mathematic Skills Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages. Ability to create tables and graphs and effectively communicate analytical conclusions. Reasoning Ability Ability to solve and deal with practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, or other forms. Note: This description indicates, in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as all-inclusive to any specific employee. The City reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the position. QualificationsMinimum Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent Three (3) years of progressive fire service experience Valid driver’s license Ability to meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) physical fitness standards, including annual physical agility/endurance testing Ability to pass a comprehensive pre-employment background check, physical exam, drug screen, and psychological evaluation Ability to perform inspections at all elevations (above, at, and below grade level) Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe applications, and related software programs Certifications NFPA Firefighter I and II certification (NFPA 1001) or equivalent as determined by the Fire Chief. Currently certified EMR or EMT. Fire Inspector I Certification (Minnesota or IFSAC Accredited), or the ability to obtain within (6) months of hire. Fire Inspector II Certification (Minnesota or IFSAC Accredited), or the ability to obtain within (24) months of hire. IAAI Fire Investigation Technician certification (or equivalent), or the ability to obtain within (12) months of hire. Fire Apparatus Operator Certification (Minnesota or IFSAC Accredited), or the ability to obtain within (18) months of hire. Preferred Qualifications Five (5) years of progressive fire service experience Two (2) years of previous fire inspections, fire investigations, or related field experience. Two (2) years of previous company officer experience. Local Hazard Zone (BlueCard) Certification. Associate’s degree and/or Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field of study. Previous grant writing or other related technical writing experience

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