Fire Protection Supervisor - Denver Fire Department

Fire Protection Supervisor

The Denver Fire Department is seeking qualified candidates for our Fire Protection Supervisor position. The Fire Protection Supervisor leads the Denver Fire Plan Review Group, overseeing plan review operations, construction permit issuance, and a diverse team responsible for ensuring compliance with fire codes, regulations, and industry standards. This position is ideal for a technically proficient professional who thrives in leadership, operational oversight, and supporting a high-performing team committed to public safety and service.

As a key leader within the Fire Prevention Division, the Fire Protection Supervisor is responsible for supervising staff, developing goals, documenting performance, providing feedback, and formally evaluating employees to support continuous improvement and efficient, high-quality work.

This role requires strong mentorship skills, the ability to motivate team members, and the judgment to recognize and reward effective performance while addressing performance challenges promptly. The Supervisor communicates annual work plans and Fire Marshal directives, ensuring staff are aligned with division goals and maintaining focus on meeting performance standards.

Effective leadership in this role includes resolving management issues and escalated citizen complaints, making decisions that account for diverse perspectives, and ensuring resources are allocated appropriately based on City and Division needs. The Supervisor must also be adept at guiding the team through evolving fire codes, complex permitting processes, and ongoing process improvements. They are also committed to staying current with changing industry standards and are eager to support staff development, process improvement, and exceptional public safety service.

What You'll Do

• Supervise the Fire Plan Review Group and assigned personnel involved in plan review and construction permit issuance.
• Develop goals, document performance, provide constructive feedback, formally evaluate staff, and support continuous improvement.
• Assist the Fire Marshal and Fire Plan Review Group Officer with code interpretation, staff training, and communication of directives and work plans.
• Conduct plan reviews and issue construction permits as assigned.
• Monitor and direct daily operations to ensure correct interpretation and application of fire codes, review standards, and permitting processes.
• Evaluate opportunities to enhance and streamline plan review and permitting procedures.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for plan review and permitting within the Fire Prevention Division.
• Stay apprised of national trends and emerging technical characteristics in fire protection; deploy training to keep staff informed of evolving regulations.
• Manage staff schedules, ensure assigned reviews are completed by due dates, and track group production statistics.
• Allocate staff and financial resources based on business, City, Department, and Division needs.
• Perform supervisory duties including documentation, training, discipline, mentorship, and resolving employee or citizen concerns.
• Complete additional tasks, inspections, or projects as assigned by the Fire Plan Review Group Officer and Fire Marshal.

About You:

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A minimum of 3 5 years of experience in fire protection and life safety evaluation, design, engineering or installation
• A minimum of 3+ years of supervisory experience
• Demonstrated experience at building high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, accountable work culture
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Sound judgment
• A proactive approach to problem-solving
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and related business software

Below are the minimum requirements used to determine eligibility for this role:

• Education Requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Fire Protection, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or Architecture.
• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience in fire protection and life safety evaluation, design, engineering or installation.
• Education and Experience Equivalency: No substitution of experience for education is permitted. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for experience requirements.
• License/Certifications: By position, requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application. By position, may require registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the Colorado State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers at the time of application. Or by position, may require registration as an architect by the Colorado State Board of Registration at time of application. Registration in another state will be accepted in lieu of this requirement, provided that the applicant has Colorado registration at completion of probation. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.