Fire Marshal

The Cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach are recruiting for a seasoned Fire Marshal. Although the Fire Marshal will be an employee of the City of Del Mar, this position serves both Del Mar and Solana Beach under a joint fire management agreement. The incumbent will oversee Fire Prevention Division operations for both agencies, including implementing policies and procedures; supervising fire prevention staff; overseeing plan review and building permit review for fire code compliance; managing routine and complex inspections and fire investigations; administering brush management and other fire prevention programs; and conducting public outreach and education.

While this new position is currently classified as “miscellaneous” with CalPERS, the City is actively working with CalPERS to have it designated as a “safety” position.

About the Recruitment
The position is open until the needs of the City are met, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately and must submit an application and supplemental questionnaire. The first review of applications will begin on Monday, May 18, 2026 after 5:30 p.m.

GENERAL PURPOSE/DEFINITION

Under general direction of the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshal is responsible for overseeing the Fire Prevention Division, which includes organizing, directing, coordinating, and supervising all Fire Prevention functions and activities. The role involves managing difficult and complex inspections of high-hazard, industrial, educational, assembly, and residential properties; coordinates and performs plan examinations, inspections, and enforcement of local, county, state, and federal fire codes, regulations, and laws. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of fire prevention principles and practices, strong communication skills, both written and verbal, experience with budgeting and financial management, knowledge of modern fire science and safety education programs, skills in interpreting architectural plans, experience in fire investigations, and supervisory experience in fire prevention or a related field.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates Fire Prevention operations, programs, and staff.
• Trains, supervises, and evaluates personnel; sets performance standards; provides coaching and recommends disciplinary actions as needed.
• Develops and implements Fire Prevention policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines.
• Prepares and administers division budgets, fee-for-service programs, and long- and short-term goals.
• Prepares analytical reports, statistical studies, and special projects.
• Prepares reports and presentations and represents the Department before the City Council, committees, community groups, regional organizations, and professional organizations.
• Serves as department liaison with other City departments, outside agencies, regional organizations, contractors, consultants, community groups, and members of the public.
• Responds to the City Emergency Operations Center as assigned.
• Ensures enforcement of all fire prevention laws, codes, ordinances, and standards for life safety, property protection, and hazardous materials.
• In partnership with City staff and third-party consultants, reviews or oversees review of complex development and construction plans, including grading, water supply, access, building, fire alarm, fire sprinkler, standpipe, and fire pump systems; fixed extinguishing systems, smoke control, and clean agent systems; non-structural building components; flammable and hazardous materials storage and facilities.
• Provides expert code interpretations and conducts alternative means/material and methods report (AMMR) evaluations.
• Coordinates and administers comprehensive inspection programs in coordination with fire prevention and fire suppression staff.
• Conducts or oversees inspections of occupancies and locations where fire hazards may exist.
• Coordinates fire prevention activities within the Fire Department, with other City departments, partner agencies, regional organizations, and third-party contractors.
• Maintains on-call status to conduct or assist with fire cause and origin investigations, including evidence collection and witness/suspect interviews.
• Coordinates and liaises with fire investigators and other public safety personnel and directs required reporting following fires or emergency incidents.
• Develops and delivers public information and education programs related to fire prevention, hazardous materials, disaster preparedness, and urban safety.
• Oversees reviews and approvals of plans for large public events and performances; inspects event setups for fire and life safety compliance.
• Leads development, adoption, and interpretation of fire codes, ordinances, and policies, including updates to the California Fire Code.
• Evaluates fire, building, electrical, mechanical, and life safety code applications, fire modeling, and fire protection calculations.
• Provides technical guidance to City departments and external stakeholders on fire and life safety issues.
• Provides leadership in the development and management of a comprehensive fire and life safety program. The Fire Marshal plans, organizes, and supervises staff and daily fire prevention operations concerning fire and life safety issues.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience:A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from a two-year college or university with major course work in fire science, fire technology, or similar degree and five (5) years of fire prevention and experience with two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Ca. State Fire Inspector 2 Certification is required at the time of hire
• PC 832 certificate, or ability to obtain within 12-months
• Ca. State Fire Marshal Courses completed at the time of hire with ability to obtain a Certification within 24-months of hire (includes 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, Chief Fire Officer 3A, Instructor 1)
• Ca. State Fire Plan Examiner Courses are required at the time of hire with ability to obtain the Certification within 24-months of hire (includes 1A, 1B, and 1C)
• Completion of Ca. State Fire Investigator Courses or equivalent is required at time of hire with the ability to obtain the Certification once the required number of investigations is completed and within the 5-year task book limit (includes 1A, 1B, and 1C)
• A valid Class C California driver’s license

Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 training courses is highly desired.
• Hazardous Materials Awareness or higher-level courses are highly desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Firefighting principles and techniques used in fire suppression activities.
• City, County, State, and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to fire suppression and prevention.
• City and Fire Department policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Manage, supervise, and lead a fire prevention division across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of City streets, alleys, and commercial locations.
• Analyze and evaluate problems in fire administration and management, and to adopt an effective course of action to solve such problems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinate supervisors, other City employees, other public agencies and the general public.
• Assist in preparation of the Fire Department budget.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Physical and Mental Demands

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. Continuous sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. Frequent side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. Occasional squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision:See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing:Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Standard office setting with some travel to various locations to attend meetings or respond to emergency scenes, disasters, or critical incidents; occasional exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, airborne particles, noxious odors, gases, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in areas of limited and restricted entry and exit, and in high precarious places; extensive public contact; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level may be very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident; wear protective apparel including goggles, face protector, aprons, safety shoes and oxygen breathing apparatus; may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure.