FIRE MARSHAL
(This is a non-safety, management, at-will position)

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of  the City’s Fire Prevention Program including investigations, inspections and public fire education programs; provides training and coordination to Fire Department personnel in fire prevention and protection techniques; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Chief; and enforces City and State fire and safety laws.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Coordinates Fire Prevention Bureau activities with other programs of the Fire Department and with other divisions/departments within the City. 
• Reviews development and construction activities that affect the City’s loss management program, including plan checks of building construction, fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler and other fire protection systems. 
• Oversees and participates in the development and adoption of applicable codes, regulations and standards for new construction and on-going maintenance of fire protection features. 
• Inspects or has subordinates inspect all places where fire hazards may exist including difficult and complicated occupancies; enforces state and local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to the prevention and control of fire, the protection of life and property from fire, explosion or panic.
• Oversees and participates in management of fire scene cause and orgin investigations.
• Oversees the Department’s Weed Abatement Program. 
• Oversees the Department’s Engine Company Inspection Program. 
• Oversees the Department’s Fire and Disaster Education Program including Juvenile Fire Setter, Public Education and Public Information. 
• Provides recommendations to the Fire Chief regarding the City’s Loss Management Program and provides other technical assistance as needed.
• Instructs, supervises and assists in the work of fire inspection and the enforcement of all ordinances, laws and codes pertaining to the Department’s Loss Management Program and the transportation, storage and handling of explosives, flammable liquids, compressed gases, acids and other combustible and/or hazardous materials that create fire or health hazards.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned prevention staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Participates in the selection and evaluation of assigned prevention personnel; prepares performance evaluations of prevention personnel and reviews evaluations for prevention personnel as assigned; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of assigned Division’s annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
• Responds to major fires; conducts investigations and analyses to determine cause and origin of fire; prepares analytical reports to reveal findings.
• Organizes and conducts inspections of buildings and other structures for compliance with applicable provisions of State and/or local codes; prepares inspection records and technical letters pertaining to recommendations and violations.
• Approves and issues a variety of permits including for agricultural burning, tank installation, tank removal, air support structures, tent/canopy, miscellaneous burning, and special events.
• Provides staff assistance to the Fire Chief.
• Serves as the liaison for assigned Division to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire prevention, suppression, training, and management.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Attends staff development meetings to coordinate inspections and conduct plan checks of new construction; plan checks new/remodeled building plans for fire safety.
• In the event of major fires or emergencies, may be called in from off duty to work an extended period of time.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of fire department administration.
• Methods, techniques and equipment used in modern firefighting.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations including health and safety codes, Title 19, 22 and 24, building codes and fire prevention codes.
• Methods and techniques of public education pertinent to fire prevention and safety.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and techniques of research and analysis.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Methods and techniques of public relations.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, coordinate and direct the City’s Fire Prevention Program.
• Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in fire prevention.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures.
• Prepare and administer large program budgets. 
• Operate modern office equipment and computers. 
• Perform inspections and detect violations of applicable codes and regulations.
• Read and interpret codes, regulations, technical reports and building plans.
• Prepare clear, concise records and reports.
• Prepare and present professional fire safety presentations to civic organizations.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Effectively represent the Fire Prevention Program to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, press, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire science, fire administration, public administration, or other related field. 

Experience: Six  years of increasingly responsible fire suppression and/or prevention experience which includes two years of supervisory experience.

License and Other Requirements - Possession of PC 832 certificate. Possession of Fire Prevention 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A and 2B. Possession of Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. Possession of Fire Prevention 3A and 3B is highly desirable. Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.

Must be willing to work standby and overtime as required.

Incumbents are required to wear department-approved uniform. During emergencies incumbents will be required to wear protective equipment.  Incumbents may be required to wear a respirator under certain circumstances and in specific environments. Safety regulations prohibit incumbents from wearing beards or other facial hair which prevents a proper respirator fit. Employee must live within 60 minutes driving time from Fire Station #1 (required for fire investigation duty coverage).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Exposure to extreme cold of refrigerated lockers, extreme heat of fires, temperature swings from indoors to outdoors, extreme noise of fire alarms and fire alarm testing, working both indoors and outdoors, extreme humidity while working outdoors, mechanical hazards of heavy equipment and various machinery, explosive hazards of blasting operations; fumes and odors of smoke, flammable liquids, gas, hazardous materials; dust of construction sites and fire scenes, toxic substances. Work schedule is 80-hour biweekly work periods, with unscheduled breaks. Subject to overtime and callback for major fires, hazardous materials incidents or other emergencies.  Work is performed in the office and at various sites throughout the community, both indoors and outdoors with or without protection from the weather.  Work environment is formal, team and autonomy oriented, with both variable and routine tasks. Work is frequently fast-paced and high-pressure.

Physical: CONTINUOUS upward and downward flexion of neck. FREQUENT standing, sitting, bending and stooping, twisting at waist, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting objects weighing up to 25 lbs. from below waist to waist level; fine finger dexterity and pinch grasp to operate computer keyboards and writing materials. OCCASIONAL walking, climbing, reaching at shoulder level, pushing/pulling; firm grasp, pinch grasp and foot dexterity to operate automobile. INFREQUENT squatting, crawling, working in confined spaces, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, balancing above ground; lifting objects weighing 11-25 lbs. from below waist to above shoulder and transporting distances up to 100 feet; lifting objects weighing 26-75 lbs. from below waist to waist level; transporting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. distances up to 100 feet; lifting objects weighing 76-100 lbs. from below waist to waist level, with assistance only. Tight grasp, moderate torquing, wrist and arm movement, fine finger dexterity to operate hand tools, video camera, projectors.

Communication: VISION (may be correctable) for visual inspections, observation of conditions, reading reports and regulations. HEARING of alarms, radio and telephone communications, conversations with the public. SPEAKING for radio, telephone and personal conversations.  WRITING to document field observations and prepare reports and correspondence. READING of technical manuals, safety regulations.

Date: September 2010
JP/Department