Fire Marshal/Fire Division Chief

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Position Summary

If the following job requirements and experience match your skills, please ensure you apply promptly.

Heartland Fire & Rescue (serving the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove) is looking for a dedicated Fire Marshal / Fire Division Chief to join our team and play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.

As Fire Marshal / Fire Division Chief, you will be at the forefront of our fire prevention efforts, conducting inspections, reviewing building plans, and educating the public on fire safety. This is more than just a job – it's a chance to make a real difference, work with a dedicated team of professionals, and help create a safer environment for everyone.

If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role we invite you to apply and become a key player in our mission to protect and serve. Ideal candidates must demonstrate the highest degree of ethics and credibility to both the public and Heartland Fire & Rescue. Join us and be part of a team that values expertise, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in fire safety. Apply today!

Key Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs and supervises the Fire Prevention Division.
• Schedules, trains, evaluates and supervises assigned staff. Ensures that Fire Prevention staff will assemble and respond to the Fire Department's customer service objectives, goals and standards and are following division and departmental policies and procedures.
• Formulates and enforces Fire Prevention policies and standard operating procedures.
• Represents the Department on matters relating to the development, promulgation and enforcement of related codes and ordinances.
• Ensures the compliance of approved plans and national standards of highly complex fire alarm systems; fire sprinkler and standpipe systems; fire pumps; fixed fire extinguishing systems; smoke control systems; and clean agent systems.
• Coordinates fire prevention inspection, plan check and educational activities within the department, with other City departments, outside agencies and related businesses.
• Verifies the plan review of highly complex fire alarm systems; fire sprinkler and standpipe systems; fire pumps; fixed fire extinguishing systems; smoke control systems; clean agent systems; nonstructural building construction projects; and flammable and hazardous materials storage tanks and facilities to assure compliance with nationally accepted model codes and standards.
• Makes presentations to City Council and / or represents the Department at City Council and / or civic or professional group meetings.
• Ensures the enforcement of all fire prevention laws, codes and ordinances relative to the protection of life, property and the environment from fire and unauthorized or accidental hazardous material releases.
• Establish, interpret and review policies, procedures, codes and ordinances in response to changes in fire prevention technology, including the adoption of the California Fire Code and City ordinances.
• Prepare detailed reports and make presentations before the City Council, Commissions, boards and committees regarding weed abatement, fire loss statistics, code adoption, hazardous materials and other related department matters.
• Provide recommendation to the Fire Chief regarding the City's Loss Management Program and provide other technical assistance as needed.
• Instruct, manage, supervise and assist in the work of fire inspection and the enforcement of all ordinances, laws and codes pertaining to the Departments Loss Management Program and the transportation, storage and handling of explosives, flammable liquids, compressed gases, acids and other combustible and / or hazardous materials which create fire or health hazards.
• Provide leadership in the development and management of a comprehensive fire and life safety program. The Fire Marshal plans, organizes and supervises staff and daily operations concerning fire and life safety issues.
• Review and approve plans for large public events and performances to ensure fire and life safety requirements are fully addressed. The Fire Marshal or assigned designee will inspect event set-ups to verify compliance with all applicable fire and life safety codes and ordinances.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Civilian) Fire Marshal

Experience :

Five (5) years of fire protection or prevention experience; OR ,

Five (5) years of related work requiring the application and / or enforcement of fire, building or construction codes; OR ,

Five (5) years of experience examining building or fire sprinkler plans or inspecting buildings or fire sprinkler systems; OR

Five (5) years of any combination of fire or building inspection work experience as stated above.

The above experience should include three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of fire and life safety supervision and management.

Education / Training :

An AA / AS degree from a community college, or equivalent, in fire science or related field, including course work in supervision and / or management supplemented by California State Fire Marshal Certified Courses of Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, HazMat 1st Responder Awareness and Fire Investigator, OR

Certification of Fire Prevention 1A, 1B & 1C as well as Fire Investigation 1A & 1B under the retired California State Fire Marshal certificates are acceptable as well.

Additional college level coursework related to the Fire Prevention operation is desirable.

License Or Certificate :

Possession of Fire Prevention Officer OR new Fire Inspector II certificate issued by the California State Fire Marshal.

Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate valid California driver’s license.

Possession of ICS 300 and 400 certificates is desirable.

Possession of Fire Marshal certificate issued by the California State Fire Marshal must be obtained within 2 years of appointment as Fire Marshal.

Possession of Fire Investigator II certificate issued by the California State Fire Marshal desirable.

Safety) Fire Division Chief

Education / Training :

Equivalent to an Associate's degree in fire science, fire administration, public administration or other related field supplemented by specialized training in fire suppression, fire prevention, training, supervision, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree is desirable.

Experience :

Five years of fire service experience including three (3) years of supervisory or administrative experience at a level equivalent to a Fire Captain.

Examination Process

Interested applicants must submit both an online application and a completed supplemental questionnaire by the first application review date, 11 : 59 p.m. January 15, 2025 . Unless specifically stated otherwise in this announcement, all requirements must be met at the time of application, and all required licenses and certificates must be current and valid. Candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of Heartland Fire & Rescue will be invited to participate in the examination process for this position. The examination process may consist of any of the following components : practical skills assessment, writing assignment and appraisal interview.

NOTE : Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, including drug screen, and background investigation.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - First application review Initial In-Person Interview Panel : Tentatively scheduled for the week of January 27, 2025.

Please note, all dates and / or timeframes are subject to change.

The City of La Mesa (and Heartland Fire & Rescue) is an Equal Opportunity and ADA compliant employer.

All qualified candidates and veterans are welcome to apply!

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