Position: Fire Alarm Inspector & Service Technician
Company: Valley Fire Control, LLC
Location: Albany, OR or Newport, OR — we are hiring in both markets (must reside within approximately one hour of your assigned office)
Reports To: Oregon General Manager
Employment Type: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt
Bargaining Unit Status: Non-union
Travel: Daily travel within your assigned territory; occasional travel between the Albany and Newport markets, and occasional travel to Medford, Washington, and Idaho
About Valley Fire Control
Valley Fire Control is a fire and life safety company serving customers across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We design, install, inspect, and service pre-engineered and engineered fire suppression systems, portable fire extinguishers, kitchen suppression systems, fire alarm systems, and fire sprinkler systems.
In 2025 we joined Columbia Safety Services. Between our sister companies we deliver full-scope fire protection: fire alarm, fire sprinklers, clean agent suppression, backflow prevention, kitchen suppression systems, portable extinguishers, and related life safety equipment. FFF Protection, our Idaho operation, is a trade name of Valley Fire Control, LLC.
We are part of a growing multi-state fire protection group focused on building something long-term. We respect the trades, run a disciplined operation, and care about doing the work right.
Our core values guide how we operate: Customer First, Grit, Effective Communication, Own the Outcome, Take Pride in the Work, and Do the Right Thing.
Two things are driving this hire.
First, we already service a large customer base for kitchen suppression and portable extinguishers, and many of those customers have asked us to take on their fire alarm inspections as well. The work is there and we need someone who can deliver quality inspections from day one.
Second, we supply fire alarm equipment to electrical contractors who install it, and those jobs need someone certified to program, test, and commission the finished system. That work is growing, it is profitable, and it requires a technician who is genuinely good at it. Most of those systems are Edwards; some are Silent Knight, Fire-Lite, or Potter.
This is not a maintain-the-status-quo role. You will help build the fire alarm side of this business.
This is a field-based, inspection-weighted role with real service and commissioning work attached. Most of your time will be spent on fire alarm inspection and testing. The rest will be spent on service troubleshooting — isolating and repairing ground faults, opens, shorts, and device and panel problems — and on programming, testing, and commissioning systems installed by electrical contractors.
New construction installation labor is carried by our install crews and contractor partners. Your value here is diagnostic skill, programming capability, and inspection quality.
You will work independently, manage your own day, communicate directly with customers, and represent the company well.
Edwards is our primary fire alarm platform, and every Columbia Safety Services office is an Edwards Strategic Partner. We also install and service non-proprietary systems including Potter, Fire-Lite, and Silent Knight when a project or customer calls for it.
Every field fire alarm position in our companies is expected to become Edwards certified. If you are not certified yet, we pay for the training.
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Perform fire alarm inspection and testing in accordance with NFPA 72 and applicable local codes
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Troubleshoot and repair fire alarm systems, including isolating and correcting ground faults, opens, shorts, and device and panel faults
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Program, test, and commission systems installed by electrical contractors on jobs where we supply the equipment and provide the programming and commissioning
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Work primarily on Edwards EST platforms, with Silent Knight, Fire-Lite, and Potter as needed
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Complete monitoring takeovers, including dialers, cellular and IP communicators, and signal verification
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Identify deficiencies and clearly communicate required repairs, upgrades, and code-driven corrections to customers
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Quote straightforward corrective work onsite and pass larger opportunities to our sales team with enough detail for them to follow up well
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Coordinate with AHJs on acceptance testing and inspection scheduling
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Perform inspections across other life safety scopes you are licensed and qualified for
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Document all work accurately using company software (iPad-based) and submit reports to AHJs and customers on time
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Coordinate with schedulers, project managers, and customers to keep work moving
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Train and support junior technicians as the division grows
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Represent Valley Fire Control professionally in every customer interaction
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Diagnostic — you can chase a ground fault to its source instead of guessing at it
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Technically strong — you understand how these systems actually work, not just the procedure
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Methodical — you take inspections seriously and your reports hold up under scrutiny
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Self-sufficient — you plan your own day and do not need someone looking over your shoulder
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Customer-focused — you explain findings in terms a building owner can act on
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Commercially aware — you can spot a deficiency and confidently recommend the right correction
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Willing to get certified — Edwards programming capability is central to this role
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Aligned with our values: Customer First, Grit, Effective Communication, Own the Outcome, Take Pride in the Work, and Do the Right Thing
An honest filter:
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If you are looking for new construction install work, this is not that job
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If programming intimidates you and you would rather it stayed someone else’s problem, this seat will not work
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If documentation is an afterthought, the report is the deliverable here
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If you would rather not talk to customers, you will be uncomfortable
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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 fire alarm testing and inspections
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Active Oregon Limited Energy Technician (LEA) license
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Working knowledge of NFPA 72 and NFPA 70 (NEC)
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Edwards EST programming certification, or the demonstrated ability and willingness to obtain it within 6 months of hire
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Demonstrated troubleshooting ability, including ground faults, opens, and shorts
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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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Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, work at heights, and navigate active jobsites and occupied buildings
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Edwards EST4 manufacturer training and field experience (strongest preference)
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NICET certification in Fire Alarm Systems (Level II or III)
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City of Portland fire alarm technician licensing
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Manufacturer training on Silent Knight, Fire-Lite, or Potter
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Experience commissioning systems installed by others, including acceptance testing with AHJs
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Air sampling or aspirating smoke detection certification
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Experience with Starlink, Telguard, or AES communicators
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Willingness to obtain Washington 06 Limited Energy and Idaho Limited Energy Electrical licenses
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Experience with commercial intrusion alarms, access control, CCTV, or nurse call systems
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EMT and rigid conduit installation skills
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Cross-training in other life safety scopes — sprinkler, backflow, hydrants, portable extinguishers, or kitchen suppression
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Bilingual (Spanish or other languages)
If you are cross-trained across most or all of our inspection scopes, look at our Full-Service Fire & Life Safety Inspector posting as well — that track pays $48.00 to $57.00 per hour.
This role follows a structured, development-based pay scale. Compensation is tied to demonstrated capability, licensing, and certifications — not tenure alone.
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Trainee Fire Alarm Technician — $22.00 – $27.00 per hour
- Entry pathway for candidates building toward full technician status
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0–5 years of experience in fire alarm, electrical, or low-voltage systems
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Demonstrated ability with conduit, terminations, multimeter use, basic troubleshooting, and NFPA 72 testing
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We are primarily hiring at the Inspector level; this tier is shown so the full path is clear
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Fire Alarm Inspector & Service Technician — $37.00 – $43.00 per hour
- Oregon Limited Energy Technician (LEA) license
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Edwards EST programming certification with demonstrated capability
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Independently performs inspections, service calls, and system programming
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Diagnoses and resolves ground faults and system trouble without support
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Programs and commissions communicators independently
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Senior Fire Alarm Inspector & Service Technician — $44.00 – $52.00 per hour
- NICET III in 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 — a minimum of 7 buildings over 75 feet, completed independently or as lead inspector, with no customer-impacting issues during testing
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Demonstrated ability to commission complex systems installed by others
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Demonstrated ability to mentor and train junior technicians
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Master Fire Alarm Technician — $62.00 per hour
Rare, and shown here so the full development path is visible. Master Technicians are top-tier field leaders trusted with complex systems, high-risk work, and project execution.
- NICET IV in Fire Alarm Systems
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Proven performance as a General Foreman, including oversight of at least four successful projects exceeding $100,000 each, meeting both customer satisfaction and gross margin targets above 25%
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Direct supervision of at least two installers on consecutive projects
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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
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Cross-Trained Inspector — $48.00 – $57.00 per hour
A parallel track for inspectors whose value is full-scope inspection capability rather than depth in a single discipline. This is not a step in the ladder above.
- Full inspection licensing across fire alarm, fire sprinkler, kitchen suppression systems, and portable fire extinguishers
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Minimum 7 years of experience inspecting all of those scopes
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Backflow assembly tester certification preferred; clean agent or special hazards inspection experience preferred
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Placement in the range reflects experience, licensing across multiple states, and market
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See our Full-Service Fire & Life Safety Inspector posting for the standalone version of this role
Wage increases are considered as you obtain and demonstrate proficiency in the certifications and competencies above, as determined by your supervisor. Overtime is paid for hours worked over 40 in a work week.
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You help build the fire alarm division rather than maintain one
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Inspection-weighted schedule with real diagnostic and commissioning work attached
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Paid Edwards certification and continuing education — we pay for the credentials that raise your wage
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A strong existing customer base ready to absorb alarm inspection service
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Clear pay progression tied to real skill development, and a cross-training path to $57.00
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Take-home company vehicle and tools provided
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Backed by a growing multi-state fire protection group focused on the long term
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance through Regence BlueShield, Delta Dental of Washington, and VSP — available to employees scheduled 30 or more hours per week, effective the first of the month following or coinciding with your hire date
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The company pays approximately 90% of the employee premium on the HSA-qualified medical plan, plus a substantial share of dependent premiums
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Health Savings Account with a $600 annual company contribution
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401(k) with Safe Harbor employer match up to 3.5%
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Paid time off starting at 10 days annually and increasing with length of service
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Eight paid holidays
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Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
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Employee Assistance Program, telehealth access, and optional pet insurance
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Company vehicle (van or truck) — take-home, with fuel, maintenance, and insurance covered for business use
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Paid training, certifications, and continuing education
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iPad, laptop, and tools provided
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Clear pay progression tied to skill and licensing development
Schedule & Work Environment
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Full-time, Monday through Friday
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Occasional after-hours or on-call work as needed
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Daily travel within your assigned territory; occasional travel between the Albany and Newport markets, and occasional travel to Medford, Washington, and Idaho
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Work performed at commercial customer sites, including occupied buildings, mechanical and riser rooms, roofs, ladders, and active construction sites
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Required PPE provided and expected on every job
If you can inspect, troubleshoot, and program — or you are close and want to finish getting there — we want to talk.
Valley Fire Control, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
Employment with Valley Fire Control, LLC is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable law.
