Fire Inspections Manager

About the role

The Fire Protection Inspections Manager leads inspection and testing operations for fire protection and life‑safety systems, ensuring work is completed safely, accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with fire codes, NFPA standards, manufacturer requirements, and local jurisdictional regulations. The role oversees inspection personnel, coordinates customer service and scheduling, reviews documentation, supports compliance, and works with customers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and local branch management.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the fire protection inspection department, including staffing, scheduling, workload distribution, and field support.
• Directly supervise inspection personnel and provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management.
• Identify employee training needs and coordinate technical, safety, regulatory, and professional development opportunities.
• Participate in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, promotion, discipline, and termination decisions per company policies.
• Conduct regular field observations and quality‑control audits to ensure inspectors perform work correctly and professionally.
• Ensure employees have necessary tools, equipment, vehicles, certifications, licenses, and training.
• Manage inspection, testing, and documentation of systems such as fire alarm, sprinkler and standpipe, fire pumps, fire hydrants, fire backflow prevention assemblies, fire doors, and other integrated life‑safety systems.
• Ensure inspection and testing activities comply with applicable NFPA standards, fire codes, OSHA requirements, manufacturer specifications, and AHJ requirements.
• Review inspection reports for accuracy, completeness, code compliance, and quality.
• Ensure deficiencies are documented, communicated to customers, and followed through to resolution or corrective action.
• Maintain required permits, licenses, certifications, inspection records, and employee qualifications.
• Investigate customer complaints, inspection issues, and quality concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Assist senior management with budgeting, forecasting, staffing, and departmental planning.
• Stay current with changes to fire codes, NFPA standards, local regulations, technology, and industry best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Three (03) to five (05) years of experience in fire protection inspection, testing, service, or related life‑safety work.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable NFPA standards (e.g., 25, 70, 72, 101) and fire protection codes.
• Ability to read and interpret inspection reports, system documentation, drawings, and applicable codes.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and customer‑service skills.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and ability to pass a drug screen and background check.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, stoop, climb, and work on feet for extended periods (up to eight hours per day); climb ladders and stairs; access mechanical rooms, rooftops, fire pump rooms; lift and carry inspection equipment; work in commercial, industrial, construction, and field environments; work in difficult‑to‑access areas; operate a motor vehicle and travel as needed; work outside normal business hours when required.

Skills

• Leadership
• Organizational
• Communication
• Customer service
• Technical knowledge of NFPA 25, 70, 72, 101 and fire codes
• Ability to read and interpret inspection reports, documentation, drawings
• Training coordination
• Performance management
• Problem solving and corrective action implementation
• Budgeting and forecasting assistance