INSPECTOR 2 FIRE SAFETY
Career Family: INSPECTOR
Inspector 2 Fire Safety is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
On the Inspector ladder it falls between Inspector 1 Fire Safety and Inspector 3 Fire Safety. It expects a bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $65,374 to $95,570, and state payroll currently lists 8 people in the title, most of them at Community Affairs.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Inspector 2 Fire Safety appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Community Affairs.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Community Affairs | 8 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Inspector series
- Inspector 1 Fire Safety — $59,763 – $87,117
- Inspector 2 Fire Safety — $65,374 – $95,570 (this title)
- Inspector 3 Fire Safety — $76,287 – $111,856
Promoting to Inspector 3 Fire Safety raises the top of the band by about $16,286. Its top salary lands around the 39th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 8 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $74,833. The agencies employing the most are:
- Community Affairs (8)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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.
Examples of work
- Organizes, plans and assigns the work of a team of inspectors responsible for the inspection of buildings and structures classified as high rise and life hazard uses for compliance with the New Jersey Fire Codes.
- Investigates and/or oversees the investigation of alleged violations, and issues abatement orders.
- Initiates procedures to vacate, close, or remove buildings, structures or premises.
- As required, serves or assigns the serving of penalty notices, orders, rulings and other legal process including notices of violation.
- Inspects and/or assigns the inspection of buildings of various use to ensure that the installation of automatic fire suppression systems are in accordance with the New Jersey Fire Codes.
- Prepares and/or oversees the preparation of reports used for violation notices and abatement orders.
- Ensures permit applications are obtained where code requires and performs inspections on uses related to the permit.
- Interprets the New Jersey Fire Codes for fire code enforcement agencies, fire officials, fire departments and municipal officials.
- Provides assistance to owners concerning the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations and provides advice on how to abate existing violations.
- Inspects and/or assigns the inspection of buildings for proper and adequate means of egress as determined by use, design and layout, and ensures that means of egress are accessible, safe, properly equipped and maintained and meet the requirements of the New Jersey Fire Codes.
- Ensures that all exit and information signs are properly displayed and maintained and meet the requirement of the New Jersey Fire Codes with regard to location, illumination, and height.
- Re-inspects and/or assigns the re-inspection of buildings, structures or premises that have been identified by local enforcing agencies and/or Department inspectors as having violation(s) that constitutes imminent hazard to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or intended occupants, fire fighters, or the general public to determine if the violations have been abated.
- Determines the severity of violations and makes recommendations regarding the time required to effect compliance.
- Participates in conducting performance audits of assigned inspectors.
- Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate and comprehensive reports of inspections and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Maintains records and files.
- Prepares and maintains accurate inspection records of actions taken violations found, progress made and other conditions observed, and takes photographs pertinent to assignments.
- Collects and identifies evidence to be used in Court proceedings.
- As required, provides testimony in court and at hearings and acts as a witness on behalf of the State.
- Prepares correspondence.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in a field associated with the fire service or fire protection industry, such as fire inspector, fire protection system installations, fire protection subcode official, or fire prevention official.
License
Appointees 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
- Knowledge of the provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, Code and Regulations.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of fire safety and protection systems, including limitations, types, operation, maintenance and installation.
- Knowledge of basic fire protection requirements for residential, commercial, institutional and recreational buildings, structures and facilities.
- Knowledge of the proper methods for handling and storing hazardous materials.
- Knowledge of means of egress requirements including exit access, discharge and exit signs.
- Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of smoke detectors and the types of smoke detectors and alarms available.
- Knowledge of the procedures used to inspect and evaluate buildings and structures for fire hazards and fire safety.
- Knowledge of the provisions under the Uniform Construction Code Act, Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law, and Rooming and Boarding House Act and their relation to the Uniform Fire Safety Act.
- Knowledge of the methods used to conduct inspections.
- Knowledge of the administrative and operational procedures used to ensure the timely inspection and reinspection of life hazard used and high-rise buildings required by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Act, Code and Regulations.
- Knowledge of requirements for entry and inspection.
- Knowledge of zoning requirements and terminology.
- Knowledge of basic plumbing, electrical and heating systems and related terminology.
- Ability to conduct inspections to determine hazardous conditions.
- Ability to identify and report existing and potential fire safety hazards.
- Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic laws, standards and policies and apply them to specific situations.
- 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.
- Ability to estimate the time required to abate violations and establish deadlines by which owners must complete the abatement of violations.
- Ability to provide advice, assistance and direction to inspectors.
- Ability to act as a witness in hearings and at court proceedings and provide testimony under oath.
- Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to maintain records, reports and files.
- Ability to prepare 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.
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.
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of fire science or related area may be substituted for four (4) years of the indicated experience.
An Associate degree from an accredited college in the field of fire science or related area may be substituted for two (2) years of the indicated experience.
Applicants who possess the next level of certification as a Fire Official, are considered to have met the above certification requirement.
CERTIFICATION
Applicants must possess a valid Fire Inspector certification issued by the Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs, to engage in the enforcement of the New Jersey Fire Codes.