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Office of the State Fire Marshal Careers

The CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal functions in three basic ways: by regulating buildings in which people live, congregate, or are confined; by controlling substances and products which may, in and of themselves, or by their misuse, cause injuries, death, and destruction by fire; and by providing training and education in fire protection methods and responsibilities. Reduced to its simplest terms, the function of the State Fire Marshal is fire prevention. That function is accomplished through several major program elements including code enforcement, training, engineering, hazmat safety, and fire incident reporting.


 
STATE FIRE MARSHAL TRAINEE

The State Fire Marshal Trainee provides training in various State Fire Marshal programs which develop knowledge and ability for advancement to the next higher classification of Deputy State Fire Marshal, Arson and Bomb Investigator Assistant, or Fire Service Training Specialist. The examination process typically consists of an oral interview. Incumbents in this classification are designated peace officers, either under authority of the State Fire Marshal or Penal Code and are required to meet Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements during the 12-month probationary period.

Minimum Requirements:
Either I
Experience: One year of employment in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Or II

One year of experience in any field leading to knowledge of fire suppression/prevention public safety, law enforcement, regulatory compliance, public education/training, or building trades. and

Education: Successful completion of two of the following courses in Fire Technology or Administration of Justice (these must be equivalent to six semester units).

Introduction to Fire Technology, Fire Equipment and Systems, Fundamentals of Fire Prevention, Fire Investigation, Fundamentals of Fire Protection, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Fundamentals of Fire Behavior, and Introduction to Criminal Control Investigation. Current enrollment in any of the above courses will admit candidates to the examination; successful completion of all unit requirements must occur before appointment (units may be challenged by State Board of Fire Services certified courses in the same basic subject matter as determined appropriate by the State Fire Marshal).


Or III
Education: An Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science Degree in either Fire Technology or Administration of Justice.

 
 
DEPUTY STATE FIRE MARSHAL

A Deputy State Fire Marshal performs technical fire prevention and inspection work. Their duties may include conducting detailed building and fire safety inspections; enforcement of fire safety standards, codes, and regulations; and assisting local fire and building authorities in the interpretation and enforcement of State laws, regulations, rules, and policies. The examination process typically consists of an oral interview. Positions in this classification are designated Peace Officers and persons appointed to this class must meet all necessary standards and requirements.

Minimum Requirements:
Either I
Experience: One year of experience in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Office of the State Fire Marshal, performing the duties of a State Fire Marshal Trainee assigned to Field Operations.

Or II

Experience: Either

1. One year of fire prevention experience performing technical fire prevention inspections, building inspections, fire prevention engineering, or fire investigation. or

2. Two years of experience performing fire suppression in a fire department. and

Education: Successful completion of 15 units of Fire Technology courses from an accredited college or equivalent units from an institution approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310(b) (units may be challenged by State Board of Fire Services Certified courses). (Two years of additional qualifying experience may be substituted for this education requirement.)


Or III
Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with major work in fire protection engineering, fire service administration, fire protection administration and technology, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics or architecture. (Senior students in a recognized institution will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)


 
 
PIPELINE SAFETY ENGINEER

The Pipeline Safety Engineer performs technical review and inspection work in conjunction with the enforcement of Federal and State hazardous liquid pipeline safety laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Their duties include inspections of design, construction, modification, operations and maintenance of liquid pipeline systems; investigation of pipeline accidents; providing technical advice to State and local emergency response plans as related to hazardous liquid pipelines. The examination process typically consists of an oral interview. Positions in this classification are designated Peace Officers and persons appointed to this class must meet all necessary standards and requirements.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in civil, chemical, mechanical, or petroleum engineering. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) Work experience performing responsible engineering duties in hazardous liquid, petroleum, or natural gas pipeline safety or enforcement may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.


 
 

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