CLASS SPECIFICATION
CLASS TITLE: Fire Marshal
DEFINITION:
The Fire Marshal plans, directs, coordinates and manages the activities and staff of the Fire Prevention Division of the Fire Department; performs responsible management, technical and administrative work by directing and supervising the Fire Prevention Program and providing highly responsible and technical staff assistance to the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chiefs; coordinates local fire codes and ordinances, inspections, plan checking, and enforcement; coordinates regulations of the State Fire Marshal, all State/Federal fire safety codes, standards and regulations; administers permits, licenses, developer fees, hazardous materials, fire protection system and inspection programs; and performs other duties as required. Serves as a member of the department’s management team; performs related duties as required. Follows and enforces all applicable laws, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies and procedures; ensures compliance with organizational direction, systems and processes.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Fire Marshal position is responsible for managing the operations of the Fire Prevention Division. Responsibilities include developing and implementing comprehensive division programs.
The Fire Marshal is also responsible for assisting in the development and control of the division budget. The incumbent has extensive contact with public officials, employees, and the general public. This job class requires excellent technical skills, as well as communication and organizational skills.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general direction from the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief.
Responsibilities include direct and indirect supervision of Fire Prevention Division staff and contractors.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Plans, organizes, directs and supervises the work of the Fire Prevention Division; assists in developing and implementing department goals, priorities, policies and procedures; directs and coordinates through subordinate supervisorial personnel activities of the division to obtain maximum use of equipment, facilities and personnel.
• Assists in the development of the budget for Fire Prevention Division; reviews and analyzes expenditures, budget and operations reports to determine requirements for cost savings or efficiency improvements; recommends capital expenditures for acquisition of new equipment which would increase efficiency in services of the division. • Supervises assigned staff of the Fire Prevention Division; selects, assigns, monitors and evaluates work performance; interprets City policies and procedures to employees; develops and implements supervisory systems, procedures and standards for program evaluation.
EXHIBIT A
establishes work procedures and/or standards and ensures safe working practices; provides training and guidance; administers personnel policies.
• Reviews and examines building construction plans/drawings and inspects residential, commercial and industrial buildings and facilities and places of public assembly during construction and after occupancy to ensure compliance with all fire, life safety and health codes; maintains records of inspections for all buildings and assure inspection schedules are carried out.
• Investigates potential fire and safety hazards; conducts field inspections of construction projects; evaluates existing fire safety conditions and enforces federal, state, and local codes, ordinances and regulations applicable to fire safety; oversees, coordinates and provides technical guidance on the more complicated inspections of all buildings; reviews and enforces corrections on building plans to ensure compliance with sound fire prevention practices and life safety requirements; provides documentation of all inspection activities; issues citations as required.
• Establishes and directs schedules and methods for fire inspections, public education and other fire prevention activities.
• Represents the City in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, business and community organizations and the public; investigates and directs response to public complaints relating to responsibilities; handles difficult complaints and inquiries; confers with other City departments in the resolution of related issues.
• Serves as City representative on inter-agency and intergovernmental working groups; coordinates section activities with other City departments to ensure efficient and effective Fire Prevention operations.
• Participates in pre-development planning, working with developers, City staff, and others in the review of development projects.
• Advises developers and the general public regarding complex applications and processes; serves as technical advisor to the Fire Chief and other City staff, advisory bodies and the City Council on fire suppression or fire prevention and other technical areas related to assignments. • Advises, consults and assists in the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of codes, ordinances and similar fire and life safety regulations. • Prepares a variety of written communications, including analytical reports and correspondence; drafts requests for proposals and agreements with consultants and reviews and administers various professional support contracts.
• Promotes public relations through public education programs; speaks to various civic and professional organizations to promote the goals of the City; develops new public education outreach campaigns; meets with industrial and business representatives to promote cooperation and provide information regarding fire codes and standards; gives presentations to a wide variety of audiences on topics within scope of the fire department and fire prevention division. • May perform investigations into the cause and origin of fires and explosions. Investigations are conducted during non-emergency phases of incidents when environmental conditions are determined to be non-hazardous. Work may be performed individually or as a member of a fire investigation team.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of public administration, budgeting and personnel management. • Principles, practices and methods used in fire prevention, code enforcement, public education, fire inspection and fire investigation.
• Pertinent State and County codes and ordinances including specific provisions of the California Building Code, California Fire Code, and NFPA Standards; Municipal Codes. • Approved building construction methods, materials and proper inspection methods.
EXHIBIT A
• Legal procedures involved in enforcing fire and life safety regulations. • Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluations. • Knowledge of labor relations practices and procedures. • Principles, practices and methods used in fire investigations.
Skills in:
• Planning, organizing, assigning, reviewing, directing and evaluating the work of assigned staff. • Motivating staff and assisting them with their professional development. • Reading, interpreting and explaining complex drawings, specifications, codes, ordinances and other related documents.
• Organizing and maintaining accurate records of division activities and projects. • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability To:
• Organize and coordinate the activities of the Fire Prevention Division. • Interpret, explain and apply applicable policies, standards, and regulations. • Analyze, interpret and check complex plans, specifications and calculations. • Apply knowledge of fire prevention codes and standards to items observe and checked during inspection.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. • Understand and implement a variety of both oral and written instructions in an independent manner.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with City staff, developers, contractors and the public.
• Supervise, train and evaluate staff and assist with implementing goals, objectives, procedures and work standards.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general guidelines. • Evaluate Fire Prevention activities and recommend alternatives or improvements. • Prepare clear and concise reports and make effective presentations. • Meet appropriate physical demands necessary for adequate job performance. • Perform assigned duties in a safe and effective manner for self and others. • Utilize computers and software applications related to the work. • Recognize and respect limit of authority and responsibility. • Demonstrate tact and diplomacy and provide courteous and positive customer service; • Ability to develop and maintain good employee morale, motivation, discipline and employee relations within the department.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education, experience and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of Fire inspection, plan review, and code enforcement activities.
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university.
Two (2) years college-level coursework in fire prevention and/or other related fire service courses or a closely related field and six (6) years' experience.
Special Requirements:
Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is required.
EXHIBIT A
Fire Inspector Certification (previously Fire Inspector II) and all prerequisites is required.
Completion of Plan Examiner 1A, 1B and 1C courses is required.
Completion of Fire Marshal 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D courses is required.
Completion of Fire Investigator 1A, 1B and PC 832 (non-carrying firearm) is required within twelve (12) months of hire.
State Fire Training Statutes and Regulations Certificate is required within twelve (12) months of hire.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Physical Requirements:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; the ability to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City sites and attend off - site meetings: vision to read printed material and view a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone; strength, stamina, and mobility to traverse uneven terrain, including climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; finger dexterity to operate standard office equipment and access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator; and the ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds to perform the required job functi ons. Reasonable accommodation will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Environmental Conditions:
Incumbents work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibrations, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset individuals in interpreting and enforcing laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Working Conditions:
Incumbents may occasionally be assigned to evenings, weekends, and holidays, as well as participate in after-hours assignments. Incumbents are required to wear a department-issued uniform, as well as any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing certain job functions.
Employment Type: Full-time Classified
Bargaining Unit: AMP
Established: April 2018
Revised: TBD
FLSA Exempt
EXHIBIT A