Fire Plan Reviewer III

Fire Plan Reviewer III

Salary

$117,008.98 - $149,336.40 Annually

Location

Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA

Job Type

Regular

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

26-00329

Department

Fire

Division

FD_Ops_FirePrevention

Opening Date

10/12/2026

Closing Date

10/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

FIREIN

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

The City of Bellevue is seeking a skilled Fire Plan Reviewer III to review and approve complex fire and life safety systems for development projects throughout Bellevue and partner jurisdictions. In this role, you'll apply advanced fire protection engineering principles to interpret codes, evaluate innovative designs, conduct technical research, and ensure buildings meet critical safety standards. Working under limited supervision, you'll provide expert guidance to staff, collaborate with city departments and customers, and help shape safe, resilient development in a growing community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and approve the most complex, difficult, unusual, and larger construction projects and structures submitted for plan review for compliance with fire and life safety requirements.
• Conducts code and technical research to evaluate new technologies.
• Performs calculations as required to verify the adequacy of designs.
• Evaluates complex alternative fire protection and performance based designs when appropriate.
• Serves as the technical advisor to the supervisor on Fire and Building Code requirements.
• Represents the department at meetings and conferences.
• May train and assist less experienced staff.
• May accompany inspectors in the field.
• Answer questions from customers regarding development issues and adherence to applicable codes.
• Work with other city departments and staff to ensure fire department concerns are identified in the plan review process.
• Respond to inquiries regarding proposed development projects.
• Mange multi-project workload to ensure timely and effective project reviews.
• Educate customers on various permit processes and the specific requirements for fire protection systems and fire code regulations.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under the limited supervision of the assistant fire marshal.
• No formal supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Knowledge of building codes, fire codes, city development standards, local, state, and federal regulations governing construction and hazardous materials.
• Ability to accurately read technical building plans and specifications.
• Knowledge of construction methods and materials.
• Oral, written and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate technical requirements clearly and accurately.
• Ability to write clear narrative reports and recommendations.
• Ability to creatively solve complex technical and/or political problems and issues.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and promote a positive work environment.
• Ability to perform standard mathematical calculations.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Washington Professional Engineer's License in Fire Protection Engineering required.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in fire protection engineering / technology or related field.
• Minimum of two years' experience in the review of building fire protection features.
• Experience in permit processing.
• Experience with computer software applications.
• Customer service experience, with ability to handle difficult individuals tactfully and diplomatically.
• Maintain current, valid Washington state driver's license.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field.
• Work may routinely require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
• The employee may be required to work in outside weather conditions, in wet and/or humid conditions, in high, precarious places, or near fumes, airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals.

Flexible/Hybrid Working:

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to departments operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

HIRING PROCESS

The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial drivers license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, youll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Youll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. Its what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/IER_RightToWorkPoster.pdf

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPosterES.pdf

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:

Medical

Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the Citys self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Dental

Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.

Vision

Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:

More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at https://c2mb.ajg.com/cityofbellevue

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note: The City of Bellevue does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the Citys non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

01

APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. If your answers do not align, you may edit your application before submitting. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.

• I confirm that the information provided here is consistent with my application.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed in fire protection engineering/technology or a related field?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or above

03

How many years of progressively responsible related experience in reviewing fire protection features in building plans do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1-2 years of experience
• 2-4 years of experience
• 4-6 years of experience
• More than 6 years of experience

04

Do you have a Washington Professional Engineers License in Fire Protection Engineering?

• Yes
• No

05

How would you describe your familiarity with fire, building, and life safety codes (e.g., IFC, IBC, NFPA standards)?

• Limited familiarity
• Working knowledge
• Advanced knowledge used regularly in plan review
• Expert-level knowledge; provide guidance or training to others

06

How comfortable are you with writing narrative reports documenting technical findings, code interpretations, or recommendations?

• Not comfortable
• Somewhat comfortable
• Comfortable
• Highly proficient

07

Which types of fire protection and life safety systems have you reviewed or evaluated? (Select all that apply)

• Automatic sprinkler systems
• Fire alarm and detection systems
• Smoke control or stair pressurization systems
• Fire-rated assemblies or egress components
• Hazardous materials storage/use provisions
• Alternative or performance-based designs
• None of the above

08

Which software tools or systems have you used in related work? (Select all that apply)

• Electronic plan review systems
• CAD or BIM-viewing tools
• Permitting or development tracking systems
• Fire modeling or hydraulic calculation software
• Standard office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• None of the above

09

Which types of customer interaction have you handled? (Select all that apply)

• Responding to code interpretation questions
• Advising on permit or plan review processes
• Educating applicants about fire protection requirements
• Addressing concerns from developers or contractors
• Handling difficult or escalated customer situations
• None of the above

10

Are you comfortable making independent engineering judgments when code guidance is incomplete or not specifically applicable?

• Yes
• No

11

Are you able to manage multiple concurrent plan reviews and meet required timelines independently?

• Yes
• No

12

The City of Bellevue is a hybrid workplace and this role is eligible based on the CBA. This is a Washington State job, and candidates must reside within a reasonable distance of City Hall and be onsite in Bellevue at least 3 day(s) per week.

• Yes, I am interested in hybrid schedule and available to be onsite 3 or more days per week.
• No, I am interested in fully remote position.

Required Question

Employer City of Bellevue

Address PO Box 90012

Bellevue, Washington, 98009

Website http://www.bellevuewa.gov/