Assistant Civilian Fire Marshal

Description

Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

Come join Sunnyvale’s Fire Prevention! We are seeking an experienced fire prevention professional who is skilled at leading and motivating others, confident with technical skills, and committed to public safety.
Under general direction, serves as technical assistant to the Civilian Fire Marshal interpreting and enforcing the provisions of the fire, building and municipal codes of the city particularly as they pertain to fire and life safety or hazardous materials of new construction; manages technical personnel within the Department of Public Safety; serves as the primary liaison with the design community; prepares and presents public education programs; coordinates and interacts regularly with other departments; and performs related duties as assigned.

The Assistant Civilian Fire Marshal may act as the Civilian Fire Marshal in their absence and may be called upon to perform the duties of assigned staff positions, including but not limited to inspections and plan review.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Civilian Fire Marshal. Exercises direct supervision over technical staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS?
This is a management classification responsible for assisting the Civilian Fire Marshal with the management of the Fire Prevention Unit. An incumbent in this classification exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized fire prevention and protection functions with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff and for organizing and overseeing day-to-day fire protection functions and are responsible for providing professional level support to the Fire Marshal in a variety of areas. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines and scope of practice.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Manages the fire and life safety plan review and inspection processes for new construction in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings.
• Oversees inspection, testing, and maintenance program for fire protection and life safety systems in existing buildings.
• Supervises and evaluates assigned staff; oversees work activities, scheduling, and program workflow; identifies, develops, and implements training designed to support a continuous learning environment.
• Participates in the development, implementation, and maintenance of unit goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Recommends and develops proposed work programs and associated budgets.
• Provides technical and professional advice to the Civilian Fire Marshal and Deputy Chief on fire prevention matters; represents the Fire Marshal on fire prevention matters with City Council, community organizations, professional groups, and other agencies, as necessary.
• Conducts reviews of special, complex, or difficult construction plans and associated field inspections to ensure compliance with ordinances, laws, and regulations.
• Investigates and resolves complaints regarding fire prevention or hazardous materials inspections, citations, and compliance.
• Oversees and participates in performing inspections of new construction for facilities using and storing hazardous materials.
• Provides information to the public and employees regarding the storage, use, and disposal of hazardous materials, and other fire and building code requirements.
• Provides interpretation and implementation of the City's Fire Code; assists with the research, development, and revision of new codes, standards and policies.
• Stays current on the legal and technical developments in the fire protection field; provides input at meetings with local, regional, and state officials regarding the City's positions on items of interest to the City.
• Promotes public relations through public education programs; speaks to various civic and professional organizations to promote the goals of the City ; meets with industrial and business representatives to promote cooperation and provide information regarding codes and standards; makes presentations and participates in promotional events, demonstrations, and fire and life safety programs.
• Plans and directs the work of subordinates.
• Develops, prepares, and maintains a variety of reports and correspondence related to the activities of fire prevention and hazardous materials programs.
• May assume duties of Civilian Fire Marshal in their absence.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. Acute hearing is required in both the field and the office. Near vision is required when reading plans, written reports and other documents, and far vision is required when inspecting work sites. The need to lift, carry and push equipment and containers weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. The job duties expose the incumbent to the outdoors, which may include exposure to electrical hazards, chemicals, hazardous materials, skin irritants, fumes, solvents and air contaminants. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders, work in construction zones and heavy traffic conditions. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, public administration or a related field; AND

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in fire protection engineering, fire prevention or hazardous materials code enforcement, or fire protection system plan review, inspection, and enforcement, including two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or project management capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of fire loss prevention management.
• Applicable federal and state laws, codes, regulations, and standards related to fire prevention, fire protection systems, and building life safety systems.
• Methods and procedures to monitor compliance with regulations, codes, and laws.
• Fire suppression techniques and equipment.
• Principles and practices of storage methods and requirements for hazardous materials.
• Record management principles.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of program development, administration, and evaluation.
• Methods and techniques of public education pertinent to fire prevention and safety.
• Principles and practices of local government administration.
• Methods and techniques of record keeping and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of fire protection as applied to site design and the development and construction of buildings.
• Principles and practices of performing and reviewing difficult engineering computations and making comprehensive recommendations on engineering problems.

Ability to:

• Compare hazards, probability of occurrence, and consequence to establish risk and rank risks based on the effect to and in the community.
• Make rational, logical decisions.
• Maintain accurate and organized records.
• Maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Perform and review difficult engineering computations and make comprehensive recommendations on engineering problems.
• Compare hazards, probability of occurrence, and consequence to establish risk and rank risks based on the effect to and in the community.
• Demonstrate sound engineering judgment.
• Develop and maintaining a high standard of professional conduct and civic responsibility.
• Plan and direct the work of subordinates.
• Assist in planning, organizing, coordinating and directing the City's Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Programs.
• Plan organize, manage, direct and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
• Develop and coordinate work programs.
• Research and analyze operational and technical issues and develop appropriate recommendations for action.
• Review complex engineering plans, specifications and calculations.
• Interpret, implement, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations standards, policies and procedures.
• Perform complex inspections and detect violations of applicable codes and regulations.
• Read and interpret codes, regulations, technical reports, and building plans.
• Develop and maintain accurate record keeping systems.
• Operate assigned equipment, including personal computer and a variety of word processing and software programs.
• Prepare clear, concise records and reports.
• Develop and maintain a high standard of professional conduct and civic responsibility.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including elected officials, advisory body members, developers, contractors, City staff and the general public.
• Ensure the City's philosophy of customer service is understood by all subordinate employees and carried out in all forms of communication.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Educate the public on matters of fire prevention as required.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Coordinate and effectively manage all aspects of a multifunctional unit.

Willingness to:

• Work irregular hours or shifts, and on nights, weekends, holidays, or in emergency situations when needed.
• Work outdoors occasionally, in a variety of weather conditions.
• Wear a Department -issued uniform.

Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• California Professional Engineer's License in Fire Protection Engineering.
• A master's degree in engineering, environmental science, public administration, or related field.
• Possession and continued maintenance of an Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector certification from the International Code Council (ICC).
• Plan Reviewer certification by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal.
• Public sector professional experience in fire prevention, plan review, inspection, code enforcement, and/or suppression.

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (postmarks or faxes are not accepted). Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click Jobs. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process or selection interview scheduled for a date to be determined. The exam is dependent on the number of qualified applicants. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department, scheduled for the week of June 8. Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which will consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire.

Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job - YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or recruitments@sunnyvale.ca.gov.

Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 6/10/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Sunnyvale

• 408-730-3017

Show more