Assistant Fire Marshal

The Assistant Fire Marshal is responsible for fire code enforcement and inspections, technical consultation with fire departments, fire investigations, public education and plan reviews. Work involves establishing and maintaining records and reports and requires exercising independent judgment and initiative, analytical skills, and extensive knowledge of federal, state and local policies and regulations in fire codes and hazardous materials management. Decisions must be made quickly and accurately during emergency situations and communicated in a tactful and diplomatic manner when dealing with the public. 

An employee in this position may be subject to hazards associated with fire inspections, fire investigations, hazardous materials, emergency management work and working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to high heat, chemicals, and in the proximity to atmospheric conditions and blood borne pathogens, and is sometimes required to wear a respirator, and may be required to work in close quarters. 

Work is performed under the general direction of the Deputy Fire Marshal and is evaluated through conferences, reports and feedback on services and emergency coordination. The position performs origin and cause fire and/or explosion investigations and serves as a subject matter expert and a liaison for county resources that may be needed during fire and emergency management operations.

• Conducts fire and life safety inspections on educational, institutional, mercantile, business, storage, hazardous, assembly, industrial and residential occupancies as required for compliance with the state building codes and local ordinances. 

• Investigates illegal burn complaints. Document such complaints; Orders actions to comply with state and local codes and ordinances. 

• Investigates complaints of fire safety hazards; compiles data and orders actions to comply with codes and ordinances, as applicable; issues citations for violations of state and county fire codes; advises business and property owners of action necessary to resolve violations.

• Conducts fire service review of commercial site and Technical Review Committee (TRC) plans. Provides technical assistance as requested on fire code-related issues.

• Reviews commercial building plans for the county and other municipalities to ensure compliance with state and county building codes; conducts technical inspections of new construction or building modification in the county and for municipalities to check conformance with state, federal and county fire codes. 

• Conducts or witnesses acceptance testing of life safety systems (sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fixed suppression systems, etc.) to determine initial compliance with codes and standards. (Added for Fire Inspection job function).

• Investigates fires; gathers data at the scene of fire; analyzes the facts and reports findings. 

• Conducts public education classes on fire prevention and safety for the public, businesses, schools and other emergency responders. 

• Prepares and teaches fire and life safety education classes for public schools, nursing homes, civic organizations, etc., as requested. 

• Assists in managing the Emergency Operations Center and coordinates various local emergency agencies with state and federal agencies during emergency situations or disasters.

• Serves on various committees representing the County.

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations pertaining to the various emergency services activities, including those pertaining to fire marshal activities. 

• Thorough knowledge of modern principles, practices, and processes involving fire inspections, fire investigations, emergency management, and hazardous materials handling, storage, and resources available. 

• Working knowledge of computer software including Google workspace, Word, Excel, Smart draw, and GIS applications. 

• Knowledge and skills in conducting fire inspections. 

• Knowledge of incident safety and incident command structure. 

• Knowledge of hazardous materials incident management. 

• Knowledge of confined space and technical rescue techniques. 

• Skills in management, organization and supervision.  

• Skills in conducting fire investigations and modern methods for collecting and analyzing data. 

• Ability to plan, organize, direct and supervise staff, paid and volunteer, especially in emergency or disaster situations.  

• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms. 

• Ability to react quickly, effectively, and professionally in emergency situations and major disasters. 

• Ability to use sound judgment and determine best options and make decisions for handling emergency matters. 

• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply laws, policies, procedures and regulations during specific emergency situations and in daily operations. 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with emergency agencies and personnel, volunteer emergency service organizations, public officials at the local, state and federal levels, business and community leaders and organizations, other department heads, superiors and employees.

Graduation from a two year college or university and 5 years of experience in fire and rescue services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• North Carolina certification as a Fire Investigation Technician, or the ability to obtain within 1 year.
• Possess a minimum of a standard level I Fire Inspector or higher certification issued through the North Carolina Department of Insurance Code Officials Qualification Board. 

• Valid North Carolina Class B Driver's License
• Standard Level II Fire Inspector
• North Carolina Hazardous Materials Operations Certification
• NIMS ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800
• North Carolina Firefighter Certification
• North Carolina Certified Fire Investigator

Salary : $61,983 - $105,371