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.
Under general administrative direction of the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshall oversees the Fire Prevention Bureau. The Fire Marshal is responsible for maintaining a safe community through a professional balance of education, engineering, enforcement, emergency response, emergency scene management and community outreach. The primary duty is to plan, direct, coordinate, organize, supervise and participate in the activities of fire investigation and fire prevention (including, triennial code adoption, code enforcement, plan checking, code enforcement inspections, community safety education, weed abatement, post fire activities, and engine company inspection assignments).
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS Positions at this class level serve as a member of the Fire Department's executive Management team and provide advice and counsel to the Fire Chief regarding strategic policy and problem solving issues. Performs the most sensitive, complex and difficult analytical work including administration of specified programs with City wide implications. Projects may include developing requests for grant funding, labor relations or contract compliance matters, operations support, cost analysis, or policy, procedure or budget development and administration. Incumbents have considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, particularly when representing the Fire Department in meetings with other agencies, boards and commissions and community groups.

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 City needs and changing practices.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

1. Oversees all activities of the Fire Prevention Bureau to ensure the effective enforcement of all fire and life safety laws and ordinances to reduce of the risk of fires and other natural or man-made disasters in the community.
2. Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of personnel engaged in fire prevention and community risk reduction activities.
3. Exercises direct supervision over fire prevention and community risk reduction personnel. Evaluates work performance both formally and informally, oversees and coordinates the functions and activities of subordinates to achieve desired goals; provides guidance to staff on difficult assignments; advises staff on career goals and provides opportunities for professional development; maintains morale and motivates staff to perform their best work; holds subordinates accountable for the enforcement of rules, regulations, orders, procedures, policies and employment agreements; may recommend discipline and keep the Fire Chief informed in a timely fashion.
4. Direct the coordination of the Department with designated local, state and federal agencies; meets with area, regional, state and federal representatives to discuss community needs; develop programs and procedures to fulfill essential community fire prevention needs relating to fire and life safety.
5. Directs investigations to determine origin and cause; coordinates investigations with law enforcement and other appropriate agencies for the detection, apprehension and prosecution of arsonists.
6. Responds to incidents in support of City Battalion Chiefs
7. Responds to commercial and greater alarm incidents to assist in command roles
8. Wears appropriate personal protective equipment.
9. Promotes the core values of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue. Projects a positive image to the public as a fire service professional. Develops and maintains public support for fire suppression and fire prevention activities.
10. Plan, develop, direct, organize and participate in the Department's fire and life safety engineering program.
11. Provides training to City staff
12. Establishes and maintains communication with individuals from other agencies in order to exchange information, and coordinate activities.
13. Ensures that fire and life safety inspections are made on commercial, industrial and other occupancies as prescribed by laws and ordinances.
14. Makes recommendations to the Fire Chief for elimination of special hazards and dangerous conditions existing in the community.
15. Evaluates and maintains the effectiveness of the Fire Prevention/Community Risk Reduction program making adjustments as needed.
16. Community and regional evacuation planning.
17. Grant sourcing, writing and management.
18. Prepares and submits reports of activities to the Fire Chief.
19. Participates in the development and administration of the Department budget; submits and administers a current Community Risk Reduction budget.
20. Develop annual goals related to Public Education, Community Risk Reduction, Fire Investigation and Facility Maintenance. Continually evaluate the scope and level of service relating to Fire Marshal duties. Make recommendations to the Fire Chief for service level improvements and long-term planning.
21. Oversees the Department's Knox Key Box and Gated Entry program.
22. Oversees the Department's Defensible Space program
23. Maintains a complete record of inspections; investigates complaints, as well as, special and peculiar hazards; reports any violations observed.
24. Operates a computer, including a variety of software programs and automated systems.
25. Acts as a representative of the Department and Fire Prevention Bureau to other agencies and the community. Meets with and makes presentations to government officials, business groups, community representatives, special interest groups, professional groups, and the general public to encourage a better understanding of the Department and its programs/policies.
26. Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible municipal or public fire service experience, including three years of management and administrative responsibilities is desirable. 
• Must have a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in emergency fire suppression operations is desirable.
• Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fire science, fire administration, or a related field is preferred. Certification and coursework from the National Fire Academy or equivalent is also desirable.
• Possession of a California or Nevada driver's license.
• CSFM Certified Fire Officer or Company Officer Certificate, or equivalent
• Completion of Fire Inspector I classes within 18 months of the date of hire. Certificate issued by the State of California as a Fire Inspector I (or equivalent) within 24 months of the date of hire.
• Completion of Fire Inspector II classes within 18 months of the date of hire. Certificate issued by the State of California as a Fire Inspector II (or equivalent) within 24 months of the date of hire.
• Certificate issued by the State of California as a Fire Investigator I (or equivalent) within 18 months of the date of hire.
• Successful completion of the California Penal Code 832 training course, level III or module A is required within 18 months of date of hire.

Knowledge of: Management and leadership principles and methods; principles, practices, and techniques of progressive fire administration including organization, administration, budget preparation and controls, program planning, implementation and administration, and staff management training; state and local laws, codes, ordinances, and statues related to fire prevention and control; standing orders, rules, regulations, administrative policies, and operational procedures; interacting agencies and their resources; the goals and objectives of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue; principles and practices of community risk assessment, wildland urban interface mitigation, fire inspection and prevention; building construction and utility installations (i.e. electricity, gas, etc.); the physical sciences as they relate to the fire service and fire behavior, including chemistry and physics; specialized test procedures (hoses, ladders, pumps, etc); basic supervisory principles, procedures, methods and techniques; emergency scene safety considerations; the Incident Command System (ICS), emergency scene management, and operational skills consistent with the a chief officer.

Ability to: Direct and guide others in the accomplishment of tasks and ensure that procedures are followed; clearly communicate expectations and standards to staff; actively participate in and support management decisions and policy; motivate employees toward organizational goals through collaboration, cooperation, and participation; create an organizational climate that is positive, reinforcing, and supportive; handle multiple work projects simultaneously and exercise good judgment in prioritizing work assignments; model the values of integrity and honesty; interpret facts on hand, size up normal and emergency situations, make judgments and determine appropriate actions/solutions from a number of alternative choices; realize ramifications of possible decisions; establish goals and set priorities and efficiently and effectively establish a course of action for self and others to accomplish specific goals; establish procedures to monitor and control tasks, processes, and activities of subordinates; manage the technical aspects of various, prevention, review building safety and fire protection plans to ensure conformity with pertinent regulations; detect violations of fire codes and regulations; obtain compliance with fire codes; interpret and enforce fire codes and regulations appropriately; delegate authority and responsibility and monitor the progress of delegated tasks; interact with others in an effective, tactful, diplomatic and polite manner, including confrontational situations, in a way that demonstrates sensitivity to their needs and motives; perceive and accept need for change and modify own behavioral style/management approach in response to changes in situations or priorities in order to reach a goal or accomplish a task; present a positive outlook and spend whatever time is necessary to get a job done; implement a plan of action under mental and sometimes physical and emotional stress; speak in a clear, effective manner so that the listener grasps the message; listen effectively and elicit information from others; communicate the technical aspects of fire service work in an understandable manner; express ideas, facts, and reasoning clearly and effectively in writing; use appropriate grammar, phraseology, and sentence structure; operate a computer and utilize a variety of business software.

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:
Work is performed both inside and outdoors, frequently at construction sites with slippery or uneven surfaces and around moving objects or vehicles, with occasional exposure to dust, fumes, silica, and temperatures above 100 degrees.
Physical:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to, handle or grasp objects, type on a keyboard, manipulate office equipment. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk; and ascend and descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, and poles using feet, legs, and hands. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or squat. The employee must frequently lift and carry up to 40 pounds.