Valley Fire Control is opening a Portland office. The office leader is already in place. We are hiring the technical team now.
This is not a startup. VFC has been doing this work in the Pacific Northwest for over 70 years. The Portland office is an expansion of a well-established business, backed by the resources of Columbia Safety Services and our other operating offices in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
We are the authorized Edwards distributor for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. At onboarding, you will be trained on the Edwards product line — whether or not you have prior Edwards experience. Once trained, you will be authorized to perform Edwards work anywhere in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho.
We also have a strong existing customer base across Oregon that we already service for kitchen suppression and portable extinguishers. Many of those customers have asked us to take on their fire alarm work as well. The work is there. We need a strong field technician to deliver quality service from day one, convert those relationships into recurring inspection and service contracts, and grow into the Portland market as the office expands.
This is a field-based, hands-on role. You will perform fire alarm inspections, testing, troubleshooting, service, and installation work across commercial systems. If you are cross-trained in sprinkler, backflow, extinguishers, kitchen systems, or clean agent inspections, you will use those skills too — and you will be compensated accordingly.
You will be given monthly assignments and expected to manage your day from there. You will represent VFC at every customer site you visit, coordinate with other technicians scheduled at those same sites for different service offerings (sprinkler, kitchen, extinguishers), and maintain the field-level relationship with each customer.
Location: Portland, OR (Portland metro market)
Residence: Greater Portland metro (including southern Washington — Ridgefield, Vancouver, etc.) or within a 2-hour radius of Albany, OR
Reports To: General Manager
Union Status: Non-union
Company Vehicle: Brand new truck or van (your choice within reason), fuel covered
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Self-directed — you take a monthly assignment list and execute it without needing daily oversight
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Technically strong — you understand how systems actually work, not just how to follow a procedure
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Problem solver — you can diagnose issues, including ground faults, opens, and shorts
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Customer-focused — you communicate clearly, professionally, and put the customer first
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Comfortable with upsell — you can identify opportunities and confidently recommend the right scope of work to existing customers
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Relationship-oriented — you understand that you are the customer’s primary VFC contact in the field, and you pass larger sales opportunities to the right people internally
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Team-oriented — willing to coordinate with other technicians on shared accounts and to coach junior staff
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Entrepreneurial — you look for ways to improve customer outcomes and grow the business, not just check boxes on a work order
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Aligned with our values: Customer Centricity, Effective Communication, Consistency, Initiative, and Trustworthiness
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Established business in growth mode — 70+ years of history, now expanding into Portland
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Edwards distributor for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho — paid training and multi-state authorization on the leading enterprise platform
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Part of Columbia Safety Services — backed by five other operating offices across OR, WA, and ID
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Strong existing customer base ready to absorb new fire alarm services
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Variety of work across service, inspections, and install
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Performance-based progression — fast track to Senior for the right candidate
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Brand new take-home company vehicle
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High trust, high ownership environment
Vehicle, Commute & Market Transition
You will be based out of our Albany, OR office for the first 3–6 months for training, onboarding, and customer ramp. After that, your work shifts to the Portland metro market.
We want to be upfront about what this commute is — and what it isn’t:
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Vehicle and fuel covered. You will be provided a brand new company vehicle (truck or van, your choice within reason). Fuel is covered. The vehicle is yours to drive between home and work. There is no out-of-pocket cost to commute.
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Commute time is unpaid. We are not trying to disguise that. If a daily round-trip from the Portland metro to Albany does not work for your situation, this is not the right role.
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This is a transition. As the Portland office reaches operating scale, your work shifts north and the Albany commute goes away.
Schedule & Work Environment
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Full-time, Monday–Friday
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Occasional after-hours or on-call work as needed
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First 3–6 months: daily commute to the Albany, OR office for training and customer ramp
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Long-term: primary work in the Portland metro area with occasional travel to Albany, Eugene, Medford, WA, and ID
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Work performed at commercial customer sites, including occupied buildings, ladders, mechanical rooms, and active construction sites
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Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, work at heights, and navigate active jobsites
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Perform fire alarm inspections and testing in accordance with NFPA 72 and applicable local codes
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Troubleshoot, repair, and service fire alarm systems
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Support installation of fire alarm systems, including wiring, devices, and conduit (EMT/rigid)
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Program and commission systems (Edwards EST is our primary platform; Potter, Fire-Lite, and Silent Knight also used)
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Complete monitoring takeovers (dialers, communicators, signal verification)
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Perform inspections across other life safety scopes you are licensed and qualified for (sprinkler, backflow, extinguishers, kitchen systems, clean agent) as applicable
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Execute monthly customer assignments, organizing your day and route to deliver work efficiently
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Coordinate with other VFC technicians scheduled at the same customer sites for different service offerings
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Maintain the field-level customer relationship — you are the face of VFC at every site you visit
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Identify deficiencies and clearly communicate required repairs, upgrades, or code-driven corrections
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Upsell existing customers on additional services, code-driven repairs, and system upgrades that genuinely benefit them
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Pass relationship leads to our sales team when work is outside your scope or warrants a formal proposal
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Document all work accurately using company software (iPad-based)
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Assist with AHJ coordination and inspection scheduling when needed
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Train and support junior technicians as the team grows
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Represent Valley Fire Control professionally in every customer interaction
Scope will flex between service, inspections, and install depending on workload and your skillset.
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5+ years of experience working on limited energy systems (fire alarm, security alarm, CCTV, access control, or similar)
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At least 1 year of that experience performing testing and inspections
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Active Oregon Limited Energy Technician (LEA) license
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Working knowledge of NFPA 72 and NEC (NFPA 70)
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Willingness and ability to obtain Washington State 06 Limited Energy Electrical License within 6 months of hire
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Willingness and ability to obtain Idaho Limited Energy Electrical License within 12 months of hire
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Residence in the greater Portland metro area (including southern Washington) or within a 2-hour radius of Albany, OR
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Ability to commute daily to the Albany, OR office for the first 3–6 months of employment
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Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
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Strong computer and mobile device skills (iPad, Microsoft Office, cloud-based apps)
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Fluent in spoken and written English
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Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug screen
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Edwards EST manufacturer training and field experience (we will invest in this training immediately for the right candidate, regardless of prior Edwards exposure)
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City of Portland fire alarm technician licensing
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NICET certification (any level) in Fire Alarm Systems
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Experience troubleshooting, tracing ground faults, and performing service and installation work
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Cross-training and inspection experience in additional life safety scopes:
- Fire sprinkler systems
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Backflow prevention
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Portable fire extinguishers
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Kitchen suppression systems (wet/dry chemical)
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Clean agent / special hazards
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Emergency lighting and exit signs
- Manufacturer training on Potter, Fire-Lite, or Silent Knight
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Experience with commercial intrusion alarms, access control, CCTV, or nurse call systems
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Multi-state licensing (WA, ID, NV, CA, UT)
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Prior experience communicating with AHJs and coordinating inspections
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EMT and rigid conduit installation skills
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Bilingual (Spanish or other languages)
About Valley Fire Control
Valley Fire Control has been protecting Pacific Northwest businesses for over 70 years. We design, install, inspect, and service fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, kitchen suppression systems, portable extinguishers, and related life safety equipment.
VFC is part of Columbia Safety Services, a fire and life safety holding company with five other operating offices across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. All CSS offices carry the Edwards fire alarm product line.
We respect the trades, run a disciplined operation, and care about doing the work right. If you want to join a team that takes the work seriously and treats people well, this is a good place to land.
This role follows a structured, development-based pay scale. Compensation is tied to demonstrated capability, licensing, and certifications — not tenure alone. Progression to Senior Technician is performance-based and can move quickly for the right candidate.
Trainee Fire Alarm Technician (not currently hiring)
Senior Fire Alarm Technician
Master Fire Alarm Technician
Cross-Trained Inspector (Alarm + Sprinkler + Suppression + Extinguishers)
We are not currently hiring at the Trainee level. It is shown to make the full career progression transparent.
The Cross-Trained Inspector rate ($57/hr) applies to candidates with full inspection licensing and at least 7 years of experience inspecting all scopes (alarm, sprinkler, kitchen systems, and portable extinguishers). This is a parallel track for cross-trained inspectors and is not a step in the alarm technician progression.
Wage increases will be considered as you obtain and demonstrate competent proficiency in the skills, licenses, and certifications below, as determined by your supervisor.
Trainee Fire Alarm Technician: $20.00 – $27.00 per hour (not currently hiring)
Entry-level pathway for candidates building toward full technician status. Shown for transparency. Not an active opening.
Typical attributes:
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High school diploma or GED required; trade school, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree preferred
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Completion of electrical, low voltage, or fire protection apprenticeship programs
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0–5 years of experience in fire alarm, electrical, or low-voltage systems
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Manufacturer certifications (Edwards, Potter, Honeywell, etc.) or NICET (any level) a plus
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Demonstrated ability in conduit installation, wire pulling and terminations, multimeter use, basic troubleshooting (ground faults, opens, shorts), basic system programming, and NFPA 72 testing and inspections
Fire Alarm Technician: $45.00 per hour
Able to independently perform inspections, service calls, and system programming, including diagnosing and resolving system issues in the field.
Required qualifications:
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Oregon Limited Energy Technician (LEA) license (prerequisite at hire)
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Washington 06 Limited Energy Electrical License (must be obtained within 6 months of hire)
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Idaho Limited Energy Electrical License (must be obtained within 12 months of hire)
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NICET II – Fire Alarm Systems
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EST4 programming certification with proven capability (or willingness to obtain through VFC’s Edwards distributorship)
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Proficiency installing and programming Starlink, Telguard, and AES communicators independently
Senior Fire Alarm Technician: $52.00 per hour
Senior Technicians demonstrate advanced technical expertise and field leadership. Strong Fire Alarm Technicians can progress to Senior quickly as they complete the requirements below.
Requirements (in addition to Fire Alarm Technician qualifications):
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Nevada Limited Energy Electrical License
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NICET III – Fire Alarm Systems
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Air sampling manufacturer certification with programming proficiency
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Proven experience leading high-rise fire alarm inspections:
- Minimum of 7 buildings over 75 feet
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Completed independently or as lead inspector
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No customer-impacting issues during testing
Master Fire Alarm Technician: $62.00 per hour
Master Technicians are top-tier field leaders responsible for complex systems, high-risk work, and successful project execution.
Requirements (in addition to Senior Fire Alarm Technician qualifications):
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NICET IV – Fire Alarm Systems
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Proven performance as a General Foreman, including:
- Oversight of at least 4 successful projects exceeding $100,000 each
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Projects meeting both customer satisfaction and >25% gross margin targets
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Direct supervision of at least two installers on consecutive projects
- Stairwell pressurization manufacturer training with proven programming and testing capability
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Strong competency in special hazards releasing systems, including testing and programming without accidental system discharge
Cross-Trained Inspector: $57.00 per hour
Parallel track for candidates whose primary value is full-scope inspection capability rather than alarm-focused service and installation.
Requirements:
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Full inspection licensing across all major scopes: fire alarm, fire sprinkler, kitchen suppression systems, and portable fire extinguishers
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Minimum of 7 years of experience inspecting all listed scopes
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Backflow assembly tester certification preferred
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Clean agent or special hazards inspection experience preferred
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee-only medical heavily subsidized)
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401(k) with company match
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Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
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Company-paid life and disability insurance
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Brand new company vehicle (truck or van, your choice within reason) — fuel, maintenance, and insurance covered for business use
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iPad, laptop, and tools provided
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Paid training, certifications, and continuing education — including immediate, paid Edwards product line training through our distributorship
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Clear, performance-based career progression
