Fire Marshal

The Position

The City of Encinitas Fire Department is seeking an innovative Fire Marshal to lead the Fire Prevention Division. This key leadership role is responsible for overseeing comprehensive fire prevention, fire investigations and life-safety programs; supervising staff; conducting complex inspections and plan reviews; coordinating with City departments and partner agencies; and representing the Department in public forums. The Fire Marshal plays a vital role in advancing community safety and supporting the Department's commitment to excellence and service. The Encinitas Fire & Marine Safety Department serves a 20-square-mile area and maintains an ISO Class 2 rating. Guided by its mission to provide the highest level of service, the Department upholds its core values of Compassion, Courage, Commitment, Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence. Pending final City Council approval, this position will be designated as eligible for Safety retirement benefits through CalPERS. Effective July 1, 2026, employees in this classification will receive a 2% COLA increase.

Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to)

• Supervises employees to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Oversees and conducts specialized and complex plan checks for compliance with State and Local fire and life safety codes.
• Oversees and conducts specialized and complex field inspections of new and existing buildings for compliance with State and Local fire and life safety codes; conducts field inspections of open spaces and fuel modification zones.
• Functions as a peace officer to enforce Local, State, and Federal laws; issues written warnings, notices of violations, letters of intent to cite, and citations; exercises the power of arrest when conditions are warranted; works with police agencies and other code enforcement personnel in enforcing laws, codes, and regulations.
• Coordinates fire prevention services with other City departments and outside agencies, organizations, and the general public; meets with citizen groups, organizations, contractors, architects, engineers, and developers regarding fire protection systems, access requirements, building requirements, and other fire prevention life safety issues.
• Represents the Department at City planning commission meetings, Council meetings, and City workshops.
• Provides complex administrative assistance to the Fire Chief.
• Assists in developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the Fire Prevention Bureau; identifies resource needs; develops and implements policies and procedures for reviewing plans, conducting inspections, code enforcement, and fire investigations.
• Participates in the development and administration of the Bureau budget; recommends needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures; recommends budget adjustments.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of: supervisory principles; methods of operation, services, and activities of a comprehensive fire prevention program; modern theory, principles, and practices of fire prevention, suppression, and investigation; principles and techniques related to fire science; principles and techniques used in the development and implementation of safety education programs; principles and techniques of public relations; fire hazards and related prevention and abatement methods; mechanical, chemical, and related characteristics of hazardous materials; principles of budget preparation and control; applicable Federal, State, and Local fire and life safety codes; occupational hazards and standard safety practices in the areas of fire prevention, inspection, and investigation; building construction and fire protection systems and equipment; principles of record keeping. The ideal candidate will have skills in: monitoring and evaluating employees; prioritizing and assigning work; training employees in work methods; coordinating departmental activities; using a computer and related software applications; performing life safety and prevention inspections; drafting and drawing functional graphics and diagrams; interpreting and applying applicable codes, amendments, laws, regulations, and ordinances; performing research and analysis; assessing hazard levels; reading blue prints and architectural drawings; coordinating fire prevention programs; analyzing hydraulic calculations; interpreting renderings for application of codes; reading tables and performance graphs; inspecting hazardous storage and handling facilities; recognizing incompatible materials and explosive combinations; writing reports; establishing and maintaining records; developing and administering budgets; communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience High School Diploma, or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.), and six (6) years of progressively responsible experience with a minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory capacity in the fire service, including fire prevention, inspection and investigation duties, or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. An Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Fire Technology, Fire Administration or related field is highly desirable.

Required: Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid Class C California Driver's License.
• Penal Code 832 Certification.
• State Fire Marshal Fire Inspector II or equivalent.

Highly Desirable: Licenses & Certifications:

CA CSFM Plans Examiner, Fire Investigation certifications, Fire Management 1, Fire Marshal Certificate, Hazardous Materials Awareness or higher.

Application Process and Deadline

An application with an attached resume AND cover letter AND copies of both your Penal Code 832 Certification AND State Fire Marshal Fire Inspector II Certification are required. This recruitment is open continuously and the first review of applications will be on the week of June 22, 2026. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted