Fire Plans Examiner

This is responsible technical work in the inspection, enforcement, examination, review, and analysis of plans to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code, Florida Fire Prevention Code, and other applicable codes and/or regulations governing fire safety. An employee in the classification shall perform evaluation work involving the application of skilled technical knowledge and judgment in examining plans, blueprints, workmanship, and other specifications of new construction or of existing buildings for conformity to legally established laws and regulations governing fire safety. An incumbent will work in an office reviewing a variety of blueprints, construction drawings, specifications, plans and permit applications, interacting directly with the public. Work also includes the responsibility for conducting periodic field inspections to compare approved plans with actual construction. An incumbent in this position may authorize changes or modifications. Work is reviewed through periodic conferences with the Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, or designee. This position is not of a routine, clerical or ministerial nature and requires the exercise of independent judgment. Examines plans, blueprints, tracings, sketches and specifications prior to issuance of building or proposed building construction. Approves and/or disapproves proposed plans in accordance with codes and other regulatory requirements and discusses disapproved items with architects, engineers, contractors and/ or owner builders to obtain plan changes necessary for approval. Performs more complex inspections for compliance with fire or life safety standards involving type of occupancy, type of construction, height, and square footage of building; hazardous materials and processes, vertical and horizontal separations, alarm systems, smoke detectors, means of egress, and extinguishment requirements. Confers with developers, engineers, architects and plan examiners during the preliminary planning phase of new projects in regards to compliance with fire and life safety codes and regulations. Assists Fire Inspectors with more difficult controversial field inspections of new construction or existing buildings and premises to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes and regulations.
Keeps records of inspections and investigations and prepares reports for the section, as required. Attends meetings as a subject matter expert on behalf of the Fire Marshal, as required. Performs other related work as required.

• Must possess a State of Florida Professional Engineer license and have four (4) years experience preparing or reviewing life safety, fire protection, or fire alarm construction plans.
  
  OR
• Must possess a State of Florida Registered Architect license and have four (4) years experience preparing or reviewing life safety, fire protection, or fire alarm construction plans.
  
  OR
• Must possess a Bachelors degree in Fire Protection Engineering and have eight (8) years experience preparing or reviewing life safety, fire protection, or fire alarm construction plans. A Masters degree in an above mentioned or related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
  
  OR
• Must possess a Bachelors degree in Architecture, Engineering, or closely related field, be certified as a Fire Safety Inspector as specified in Chapter 633, Florida Statutes and/or as a NFPA Fire Plan Examiner, and have eight (8) years of experience preparing or reviewing construction plans using the Florida Building Code or Florida Fire Prevention Code. A Masters degree in an above mentioned or related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
  
  OR
• Must possess National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) certification in Fire Alarm Systems Level 2 or higher and have eight (8) years experience preparing or reviewing fire alarm shop drawings.
  
  OR
• Must possess National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) certification in Fire Protection Water-Based Systems Layout Level 2 or higher and have eight (8) years experience preparing or reviewing shop drawings for water-based systems.

• A Valid Driver's License from any state (Equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized upon application, however prior to appointment a State of Florida Driver's License (Class E or higher) must be presented to the Department of Human Resources.
  
  SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
  
  Candidates licensed in a state other than Florida must obtain licensure in the State of Florida within six (6) months from the date of hire.
  
  Must obtain certification as a Fire Safety Inspector as specified in Chapter 633, Florida Statutes within six (6) months of employment.
  
  Must obtain certification as a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Plans Examiner prior to gaining permanent status in the classification. Certification must be kept valid while employed in this classification. This requirement does not apply for a State of Florida Professional Engineer having successfully passed the NCEES PE exam in Fire Protection.
  
  SPECIAL NOTE:
  
  Licenses and certifications must be in good standing and with no pending complaints with their perspective issuing agency, as applicable, and if appropriate, the Miami-Dade County's Contractors License Enforcement Section, and/or the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations.
  
  

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

Applicants, including City of Miami employees, must upload and submit attached copies of the following documents with the employment application. Please be sure to attach all required documents to your employment application each time you apply. Uploaded documents remain in your online profile, but they will not attach automatically, and you will be deemed ineligible without the proper documentation.

ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED MUST BE CLEAR, LEGIBLE, AND IN PROPER FORMAT.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION AND ARE ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PROOF:

• Proof of education in the form of official/unofficial transcripts showing a Bachelors degree or higher in Fire Protection Engineering, Architecture, Engineering, or a closely related field.
  OR
• State of Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license
  OR
• State of Florida Registered Architect license
  OR
• NICET Level II or higher certification in: Fire Alarm Systems

OR

• NICET Level II or higher certification in: Water-Based Systems Layout

• Copy of valid Driver's License from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be submitted with the application. However, a State of Florida Class E Drivers License must be presented prior to appointment and maintained valid throughout employment.

Note: Foreign diplomas/degrees must be submitted with a credential evaluation report from an approved credential evaluation agency*. Translations of diplomas/degrees are not accepted . If the degree/diploma does not list the major , transcripts indicating degree completion must be submitted. Audit/Academic reports are not accepted as a substitute for college transcripts.

*Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies:

Credential evaluation reports showing the United States equivalency for academic credentials earned in other countries may be provided by:

• An accredited four-year college or university in the United States, OR
• A current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( A current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators ( A recognized Professional Organization

For additional list of approved credential evaluation agencies visit the

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required documents submitted with the employment application are in a format that is acceptable, clear and legible for eligibility determination or risk being disqualified.

Applicants, including City of Miami employees, must completely detail their work experience on the employment application or risk being disqualified. Resumes are not required and will not be reviewed in place of the employment application.

It is the applicant's responsibility to update their online profile with personal data, work experience, education, and certifications, when submitting application(s), failure to do so may result in disqualification.

Applicants must provide a valid email address in order to receive notification of eligibility.

Veterans Preference: Veterans Preference is awarded in accordance with Florida State Statute 295.07. If veteran's preference is being claimed, it must be indicated on the application form and proper documentation, including all forms DD-214 (Member #2 or Member #4 only) and the applicable FDVA- Veteran's Preference Certification Form(s) in accordance with rule 55A-7.013. Documentation of Preference Claim must be submitted with the employment application.

FDVA Certification Forms: Please complete the applicable Veterans' Preference Certification Form(s). Form(s) must be uploaded with your employment application along with acceptable proof of veterans' preference.

Form VP1:
Form VP2:
Form VP3: UNREMARRIED WIDOW or WIDOWER CERTIFICATE

Selection Preference for City Residents: In accordance with APM 2-02, applicants for classified positions who are City of Miami residents and new hires will receive preference in selection from interview ranking bands provided that any two (2) of the following documents are submitted with the employment application and again at time of interview:

A. Utility bill dated within 60 days of the date of submission
B. Valid Florida Driver License or State-issued I.D.
C. Property Tax Statement dated within 1 year of the date of submission
D. Properly executed valid lease agreement
E. Homestead Exemption dated within 1 year of the date of submission
F. Motor Vehicle Registration dated within 90 days of the date of submission
G. Official school records or transcripts, dated within 90 days of the date of submission
H. W-2 (or 1099) Tax Form dated within 1 year of the date of submission

City of Miami residents are granted selection preference over non-City of Miami residents within the same ranking band resulting from an interview process.

Selection Preference: Selection preference within the same ranking band resulting from an interview process will be granted in the following order: 1) preference eligible veterans, 2) active City of Miami employees, 3) City of Miami residents, 4) all others.

OPEN/NON-COMPETITIVE