How to hire a fire safety director

How to hire a fire safety director, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fire safety director hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fire safety director job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fire safety director
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a fire safety director do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The fire safety director hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a fire safety director to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a fire safety director that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of fire safety directors.

   Type of Fire Safety Director	Description	Hourly rate
   Fire Safety Director	Fire inspectors examine buildings to detect fire hazards and ensure that federal, state, and local fire codes are met. Fire investigators determine the origin and cause of fires and explosions... Show more	$22-47
   Safety Supervisor	A safety supervisor is responsible for monitoring the overall operations of a production, ensuring the safety and security of everyone, and enforcing strict regulations and protocols. Safety supervisors organize safety orientations and training for the workers, as well as reiterating disciplinary measures and policies and procedures during meetings... Show more	$20-47
   Fire Inspector	A fire inspector is in charge of conducting inspections in establishments and structures to identify fire safety violations and ensure compliance with state and federal laws and fire codes. They typically travel and visit various buildings, review documents, examine fire alarm and control equipment, enforce corrective measures against violations, and produce inspection reports to be submitted at local permit offices... Show more	$15-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Emergency Situations
   • NYC
   • Life Safety Systems
   • Building Evacuation
   • Fire Safety Plan
   • Punctuality
   • Safety Directors
   • Patrol
   • Fire Command Station
   • Local Laws
   • FSD
   • Fire Wardens
   • Fdny

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and manage statistical and trending analysis in alignment with SMS principles.
   • Manage a new a program for the emergency response team plant wide.
   • Manage CCTV video surveillance operations and elevator controls.
   • Manage and implementation of safety/security systems to include CCTV.
   • Manage HSE programs for a national corporation specializing in concrete product manufacturing.
   • Follow basic FSD responsibilities including training fire wardens and fire brigade members.

   More fire safety director duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the fire safety director job description is a good way to get more applicants. A fire safety director salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a fire safety director in Georgia may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level fire safety director. Additionally, a fire safety director with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average fire safety director salary

   $67,324yearly

   $32.37 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fire safety director salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average fire safety director salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$90,941	$44
   2	New York	$76,052	$37
   3	Colorado	$71,816	$35
   4	Florida	$59,897	$29
   5	Georgia	$54,197	$26

   Average fire safety director salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	The Durst Organization	$114,477	$55.04
   2	Tishman	$113,674	$54.65
   3	Carrier	$87,082	$41.87
   4	Brookfield Properties	$85,009	$40.87
   5	Emory Healthcare	$80,510	$38.71	13
   6	BXP	$78,857	$37.91	2
   7	United Service Technologies	$78,071	$37.53	1
   8	Planned Parenthood	$74,867	$35.99
   9	Emory University	$70,425	$33.86	1
   10	Alliance Co	$67,106	$32.26	2
   11	Guardian Service Industries	$60,630	$29.15	2
   12	United Security	$59,577	$28.64
   13	Mulligan Security	$54,769	$26.33
   14	BRC	$54,050	$25.99
   15	Harvard Protection Services	$52,262	$25.13	1
   16	GardaWorld Federal Services	$50,581	$24.32	3
   17	Hard Rock Tool	$50,561	$24.31
   18	Atrium	$49,407	$23.75
   19	Security America	$48,685	$23.41	1
   20	Arrow Security	$48,475	$23.31	1

4. Writing a fire safety director job description

   A good fire safety director job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a fire safety director job description:

   Fire safety director job description example

   At Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY), our greatest strengths are the employees who empower every individual with the information, resources, and care they need to live happy, healthy lives.
   
   We are a team of trusted health care providers, educators, and fierce advocates committed to advancing equity and improving health outcomes in communities that face systemic barriers to quality, innovative sexual and reproductive health services -- including birth control, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing and prevention, transgender hormone therapy, wellness exams, crisis counseling, and financial counseling. PPGNY also proudly provides compassionate, nonjudgmental abortion services.
   
   Responsibilities include:Maintaining accurate fire and life safety log books in accordance with NYC Fire CodeBe a liaison between Property Management, building staff and first responders in the event of an emergency Communicate with Site Supervisors and Property ManagementConduct drills, training and other day to day oversight of fire and life safety plan in accordance with NYC Fire CodeEnsure that all FDNY Inspections, Testing & Maintenance is scheduled, completed and documented Assist in securing the facility as required by the site which may include: access control, patrols and other assigned duties Able to work flexible hours
   
   You have:Must be a NYS Licensed Security OfficerMust have a valid F-89 license, T-89 or Z-89Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent Must be able to pass any State-required training or other qualifications for licensing
   PPGNY's benefits package includes:
   Generous PTO and holiday schedule
   Medical, dental and vision coverage options for you and eligible dependents
   FSA, HSA, Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds
   Short and Long Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D
   401(k) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor contributions after 1 year of employment
   All positions at PPGNY require:
   Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases (including influenza during the flu season) and testing for tuberculosis. These certifications are required by the NYC DOHMH Health Code, NYSDOH and OSHA.
   
   Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY is proud to provide a wide-range of family planning services at our 28 health centers and mobile care units. We care for everyone regardless of their immigration status, zip code or ability to pay. PPGNY's education and outreach programs are backed by medically-accurate, evidence-based information that allows people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health care and education.
   
   At PPGNY, we provide the absolute best care to our patients and our communities through innovative health care delivery and education programming. We care for everyone who walks through our doors regardless of insurance, ability to pay or immigration status. As a leading voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY fiercely advocates for policies to ensure that all New Yorkers will have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and information.
   
   PPGNY is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right fire safety director for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fire safety director job on Zippia to find and recruit fire safety director candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit fire safety directors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fire safety director

   Once you've selected the best fire safety director candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a fire safety director?