INSPECTOR APPRENTICE, FIRE SAFETY

Code: 09062 State Non-Competitive Range: I15 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $50,059.28 - $72,549.68/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the close supervision of an Inspector 3, Fire Safety, or other supervisory official in the Department of Community Affairs, in a four-year training program, observes, assists and performs field work involved in the enforcement of New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations; performs other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• As an Apprentice and productive worker while receiving appropriate degree of supervision learns and assists with:
• Under close supervision and in accord with regulations, guidelines, standards, and procedures, learns to inspect buildings classified as high-rise and life hazard use for compliance with the New Jersey Fire Codes.
• May assist in the inspection of buildings of six (6) stories above grade or more that are used for human occupancy to ensure that such buildings are equipped with standpipes that are maintained in accordance with the New Jersey Fire Codes.
• May inspect buildings of various uses to ensure that installation of automatic fire suppression systems comply with the New Jersey Fire Codes.
• With a higher level inspector, makes field visits and physical inspections of state-owned, leased, and occupied structures for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the New Jersey Fire Codes.
• With a higher level inspector, may serve penalty notices, orders, rulings, and other legal process including notices of violation.
• Learns how to determine that automatic fire alarm systems are operational and properly maintained in accordance with the fire code.
• Learns how to determine that all exit and information signs are properly displayed, maintained and meet the requirements of the New Jersey Fire Codes with regard to location, illumination, height and so forth.
• Assists with the preparation and issuance of orders to abate violations within a specified time period.
• Learns the procedures to have buildings, structures, or premises vacated, closed or removed when life threatening violations are found.
• May assist with the re-inspection of buildings/structures/premises that have been identified by local enforcing agencies and/or Department inspectors as having violation(s) that constitute imminent hazard to the health, safety, or welfare of occupants or intended occupants, firefighters, or general public to determine if violations have been properly/ correctly abated.
• Learns to prepare inspection reports.
• Learns when permit applications are required and how to perform inspections on uses related to the permit.
• Observes how staff provides assistance to owners concerning the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code, and Regulations and advice on how to abate existing violations.
• Learns investigation techniques and procedures by assisting in the investigation of complaints of alleged fire code violations and the preparation of reports.
• Learns how to prepare and maintain accurate inspection records of actions taken, violations found, progress made and other conditions observed; takes photographs pertinent to assignments.
• Learns how to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Learns how to maintain essential records and files.
• Learns how to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recordings and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

Appointees must successfully attain a valid Fire Inspector Certification (FIC) issued by the Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs within one (1) year of appointment. Failure to meet this requirement may be cause for separation.

Appointees must successfully complete all training program requirements as set forth by the Department of Community Affairs through the duration of the apprenticeship.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Ability to learn to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to learn from observation.
• Ability to conduct inspections to determine hazardous conditions, after a period of training.
• Ability to recognize existing and potential fire safety hazards, call these to the attention of the proper persons, and prepare detailed reports, and take necessary action, after a period of training.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic laws, standards, and policies and apply them to specific situations, after a period of training.
• Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with tenants, owners, municipal officials,and others interested in/or concerned with the enforcement of laws relating to fire safety.
• Ability to explain existing and potential fire safety hazards to owners, tenants, and others, after a period of training.
• Ability to estimate and make appropriate recommendations for the time required to abate violations and establish realistic deadlines by which owners must complete the abatement of violations, after a period of training.
• Ability to prepare inspections reports in accord with established procedures.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records, reports and files.
• Ability to prepare extensive correspondence.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• <b>ADVANCEMENT:</b>
• Appointee's work performance will be reviewed and rated semi-annually during each twelve (12) months of the four (4) year apprenticeship program. Upon successful completion of the forty-eight (48) month apprenticeship program, appointees will be eligible for advancement to the title of Inspector 1, Fire Safety, in accordance with Civil Service Commission procedures.
• The inability of an employee in the apprenticeship title to attain a level of proficiency warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
• <b>SPECIAL NOTE:</b> Evidence of prior training, certification and/or experience in the fire service, fire protection industry, or other related fields may be submitted with your application for evaluation by the Appointing Authority for possible credit. Applicants deemed qualified may not be required to complete the entire forty-eight (48) month apprenticeship program, based upon the discretion of the Appointing Authority. The Appointing Authority is responsible for verification of the credentials.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.