Fire Marshal

Position Information/Definition

The City of Turlock is accepting applications for the Fire Marshal position. Under direction, plans, supervises, reviews and performs a variety of inspections and code enforcement duties to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes for new and existing construction, residential occupancies, and commercial or industrial activities; performs administrative, investigative, supervisory and technical responsibilities in managing the Fire Prevention Bureau of the City’s Fire Department.

This position is designated as represented by Turlock Management Association-Public Safety (TMAPS) for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a mid-management classification assigned to the fire prevention division as a Division Chief responsible for the management of discrete sub-departmental organizational component(s) and programs/functions within a department as determined by Department Director (Chief), City Manager and City Council. Serves as a member of the City policy advisory team with responsibilities for developing means for implementing policies and procedures developed by the executive team. The incumbent exercises policy development and promulgation responsibilities for specific program/functional areas. Demonstrates technical competence while working as a team member and exercises independent judgment in a number of confidential and sensitive assignments. Duties and responsibilities are performed in accordance with city policy, ordinance, and fire code.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Direction is provided by the Fire Chief. The job incumbent provides direct supervision of subordinate level supervisors, professional, technical line and office clerical staff in related program areas.

Essential Functions - Include But Are Not Limited To The Following:

• Responds to emergencies when needed and directs or performs related activities.
• Recommends and implements division goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Prepares specialized budgets related to assigned activities assists in budget implementation; participates in forecasts of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; administers the approved budget.
• Prepares reports; documents policies and procedures; performs research; makes presentations before various groups, including City Council and Planning Commission, as needed.
• Represents Fire Chief in his absence, as required.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, and reviews the work of a comprehensive Fire Prevention program and supervises staff to ensure compliance with fire and life safety standards.
• Oversees the work of fire suppression staff in fire prevention activities, including mandated fire inspections.
• Interprets, enforces, and explains fire and life safety codes.
• Conducts technical fire plan checks including fire sprinklers, fire alarms, residential occupancies, commercial occupancies, and industrial occupancies.
• Attends meetings with internal and external customers representing the Fire Department.
• Investigates citizen complaints related to Fire Prevention and life safety activities and enforcement; non-criminal and criminal investigations related to fire and legal actions related to non-compliance and abatement proceedings.
• Provides pre-development consultations; provides or reviews occupancy and final inspections for new businesses.
• Works cooperatively with the Chief Building Official, Community Development staff, the State Fire Marshal and the community to ensure thorough, organized and timely permit processing.
• Formulates and recommends changes to the International Fire Code and City Ordinances.
• Oversees/participates with the Police Department in the investigation of fires to determine the cause, including preparing reports, gathers evidence and works on case development with the District Attorney’s office in arson cases.
• Represents the Department as an expert court witness in Fire Investigations.
• Writes citations and makes arrests in the role as peace officer.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Investigative techniques related to fire incidents
• Analytical techniques and strategies
• Report preparation and presentation
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Knowledge of laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances related to fire prevention and fire management.

Ability to

• Apply principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Interpret apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Conduct technical plan reviews in residential, commercial, industrial construction and possess the skills needed to articulate requirements to contractors and design professionals.
• Perform computer applications related to work, prepare accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Prepare division budget and administer the approved budget.
• Conduct cause and origin fire investigations, including the collection of evidence, expert witness, report writing and assisting Police and District Attorney in case preparation.
• Work with businesses, property owners, permit applicants, residents, and other City Departments to assure timely and effective customer service.
• Understand and use techniques for dealing with people in person and over the telephone in stressful or confrontational situations.
• Take initiative and use independent judgment within legal, policy and procedural guidelines.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience

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

Three years of experience comparable to that of a Fire Captain with Turlock Fire Department.

Training

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or related field.

OR

Must be currently enrolled in an accredited university or institution and obtain a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or related field, within thirty-six (36) months of appointment.

Certificates

Possession of a California State Fire Marshal Fire Officer Certification.

Must obtain a California P.C. 832 Arrest and Firearms Certification within 12 months from date of appointment.

Possession of California State Fire Marshal’s level one, two and three classes in prevention and investigation is desirable.

Licenses

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License, to be maintained as a condition of employment.

Additional Information

Physical Conditions

Must possess strength, mobility, and stamina to inspect various fire and construction sites. Must possess mobility to work in standard office setting and to use office equipment. Vision required to read printed materials and computer screens. Hearing and speech required to communicate in person and over the telephone.

Must be able to respond to major emergency or investigative situations on a 24-hour call as required.

Selection Process

An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months. All employees are required to serve a twelve (12) month probationary period.

• All applicants must complete a standard Application for Employment and attach verification of applicable educational requirements. Copies of transcripts and/or required certifications as verification will be acceptable. Applications will be rejected if applicant fails to attach required documentation to the employment application prior to final filing date.

You may submit your required documentation using the following options:

• Attach a scanned copy in the "Add Attachment" option (of the NeoGov online application) or
• Fax a copy to View phone number on jobradars.com or
• Email a copy to ***email_hidden*** or
• Hand deliver copies of your attachments to 156 S. Broadway, Suite 235, Turlock, CA on or before the final filing date.
• Applications will be reviewed for possession of the minimum qualifications. In the event that a large number of applicants possess the minimum qualifications, applicants who appear to be the most qualified based on their breadth and recency of experience will be invited to compete in the testing process.
• Candidates who participate in the oral examination and receive a score of 70% or more will be placed on an eligibility list. Ranking on the eligibility list is based solely on the results of the oral exam. The oral examination is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
• The top candidates from the eligibility list will be referred to the Fire Chief for a Chief interview and final appointment consideration.
• Final appointment to the position of Fire Marshal shall be contingent upon passing the following: a Fire Chief (Department) interview.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE SYSTEM

The City of Turlock has adopted a veteran's preference system (effective January 1, 2002). The percentage score achieved through an entrance (non-promotional) examination which ranks applicants on an eligibility list shall be adjusted to provide: (a) one (1) percentage point added to the final test score for each six (6) months of active service during a time of armed conflict, up to a maximum of five (5) points, and (b) five (5) percentage points added to the final test score for veterans who are disabled as a result of active military service during a time of armed conflict, regardless of length of service. To receive preference points, applicants must provide supporting documentation and proof of honorable discharge. In no event shall an applicant receive more than a five (5) point adjustment. This request should be made in section #12 of the employment application form. A copy of your DD214 must be attached for this request to be considered.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Turlock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are sincerely interested in receiving applications from qualified minorities, women and the disabled. Qualified applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, political affiliation or belief except where indicated by requirements of the job. The City of Turlock will make every effort to accommodate applicants that have disabilities that would not allow them to compete in the announced process. Applicants are asked to indicate their request for accommodation in the application form.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND DRUG/ALCOHOL SCREENING

The incumbent will be required to take a medical examination including a drug/alcohol screening and be fingerprinted.

CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICY

The City of Turlock is committed to quality service to our customers. Our goal is to create a positive, productive and courteous atmosphere for our employees and customers. Employees are evaluated on the quality of customer service they provide.

Benefits

Holidays: Twelve (12) paid holidays and two (2) floating holidays.

Vacation: Paid vacation that increases with years of service.

Annual Management Leave: Accrual of eighty (80) hours.

Retirement: Sworn "Classic" employees covered by this agreement participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 3% @ 50, under the ''Safety" PERS formula. Sworn police and Sworn Fire management will pay the employee's 9% PERS contribution. Final compensation, for retirement purposes, will be calculated on the single highest year of PERS reportable wages as determined by CalPERS. Conversion of sick leave towards PERS service credit will be allowed in lieu of sick leave cash-out provisions. The total 9% PERS contribution shall be deducted as a pretax employee pension expense. Sworn employees are covered by the level four (4) PERS Survivor Benefit. Effective January 1, 2013, all new employees, as defined by AB 340, will participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 defined benefit formula for non-safety members. All new employees, as defined by AB 340, who are safety members will participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Safety Option Plan Two, 2.7%@ 57. New employees shall have an initial contribution rate of at least fifty percent (50%) of the total normal cost rate for the defined benefit plan or the current contribution rate of similarly situated employees, which is currently a 9% PERS contribution, whichever Is greater. All employees shall be subject to the mandatory provisions of AB 340. Fire Safety Members and Fire Management Sworn ''New'' employees covered by this agreement will follow the requirements of the 2013 Public Employees' Pension Reform Act. The Employer Paid Member Contributions (EPMC) benefit for all Fire Safety Members will be terminated and eliminated on October 1, 2014. The City of Turlock will not provide EPMC to classic employees and new employees, as defined by AB 340, hired on or after January 1, 2013. Resolution No. 2007-298 shall be repealed and the attached resolution shall be adopted and effective October 1, 2014.

Deferred Compensation: The City will match employee's contribution up to two and half percent (2.5%) of the employee's base salary for each pay period in which employee contributes six (6) percent to the program.

Retiree Health Savings (RHS) Vantage Care: Three (3) percent of the employee's base payroll will be deposited in each individual's RHS Vantage Care account.

Health: Generous employer contribution to health plan for employee and family.

Continuous Service Pay

Beginning with the tenth (10th) year and every year thereafter, 2.5% of base salary.

Beginning with the fifteenth (15th) year and every year thereafter, 2.5% of base salary.

Beginning with the twentieth (20th) year and every year thereafter, 2.5% of base salary.

Master's Degree Incentive Pay: 2.5% of base salary. Reimbursement Program*

Professional Development: Employees are eligible to receive six hundred dollars ($600) in professional development funds.

Fire Officer, Company Officer, P.C 832 (Arrest and Firearms), or equivalent certification: Two and one half percent (2.5%) of the employees base salary.

Chief Fire Officer Certificate: Two and one half percent (2.5%) of the employees base salary.

Annual Uniform Allowance: One thousand three hundred ninety dollars ($1390).

Term Life Insurance: At one and one half percent (1.5%) times annual salary, plus $5,000.

Please Note

Information contained herein does not constitute an expressed or implied contract as it is subject to change.

WHERE TO APPLY

City of Turlock

Human Relations Department

156 S. Broadway, Suite 235

Turlock, CA 95380-5454

View phone number on jobradars.com

or

Visit our website at : to apply

All applications must be returned to the Human Relations Department no later than Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5 p.m. POSTMARKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at View phone number on jobradars.com.

Refer to Benefits section.

Did you attach verification of your education?

• Yes
• No

Did you attach verification of your California State Fire Marshal Fire Officer Certification?

• Yes
• No

Do you currently possess a valid California Driver’s License required to perform the essential duties of this position? If yes, a copy of your valid California Driver’s License must be attached to your application?

• Yes
• No

I understand that my work experience must be clearly listed in the work history section of my application. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

• Yes
• No

I certify that I have reviewed my application. I understand that my application may be rejected if any required documents are missing.

• Yes
• No

I certify that I have read and understand all of the Minimum Qualifications for this position as listed in the employment announcement and have truthfully answered all questions in this supplemental questionnaire.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question