Fire Marshal

The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

• A Bachelor's degree in fire science, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in the fire services, including four (4) or more years of progressively responsible experience in fire prevention services, including experience in fire code enforcement, plan review, hazardous materials management, and fire education, and three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity

• A valid California Class C driver’s license is required
• Completion of Penal Code 832 Arrest course within 12 months of hire and may be extended with permission of the Fire Chief.
• Obtain one of the following within 12 months of hire and may be extended with permission of the Fire Chief:
  • International Code Council (ICC) Fire Marshal certification OR
  • California State Fire Training (SFT) Fire Marshal certification
• Obtain one of the following within 12 months of hire and may be extended with permission of the Fire Chief:
  • California SFT Plans Examiner certification OR
  • ICC Fire Plans Examiner certification
• One of the following:
  • State Fire Training Protection Specialist certification
  • SFT Fire Inspector II certification (or completion of the certificate’s required coursework)
• ICC Fire Inspector II

• Bilingual
• Hazardous Materials training certifications or experience managing a Participating Agency (PA) or Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) program
• A Master’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field
• Experience reviewing complex fire protection systems and applying California Fire and Building Codes
• Proficiency with NFPA standards and digital plan review tools
• International Code Council (ICC) Fire Marshal credential
• Experience in Fire Investigation and cause determination
• Experience as a Public Information Officer
• Licensure as a Fire Protection Engineer

The Fire Marshal 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 conducts plan checks for compliance with Fire Codes and ordinance, hazardous materials management, fire investigation and hazard abatement. The position also develops and implements educational programs to promote fire safety; assists the Fire Chief with special administrative duties and performs related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Fire Marshal is the management level class 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 Fire Chief. 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 Exercised and Received:

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

Key Responsibilities:

The Fire Marshal leads the Fire Prevention Bureau and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of fire and life safety enforcement within the City of Oxnard. Core responsibilities include:

• Fire Code Enforcement: Direct and manage the enforcement of the California Fire Code, local fire ordinances, and related life safety standards through inspections, compliance efforts, and abatement procedures.
• Plan Review & Construction Inspections: Oversee the review of architectural and fire protection system plans for new construction, remodels, and tenant improvements. Ensure that construction inspections are conducted in accordance with applicable codes and standards.
• Public Education & Community Risk Reduction: Develop and lead comprehensive fire prevention education programs targeting schools, businesses, and the community. Implement data-informed risk reduction strategies to address local hazards and improve public safety outcomes.
• Fire & Arson Investigation: Supervise or coordinate investigations into the origin and cause of fires, including suspected arson incidents. Collaborate with law enforcement and the California State Fire Marshal’s Office as needed.
• Hazardous Materials Program Management (CUPA): Where delegated, oversee the administration of Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) programs, including hazardous materials business plans, underground storage tanks, aboveground storage tanks, and hazardous waste oversight.
• Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) & Vegetation Management: Enforce defensible space regulations and implement vegetation management strategies in designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Support long-term WUI planning and mitigation.
• Special Events & Fire Safety Permitting: Evaluate and issue operational permits for public events and high-risk activities. Conduct fire safety inspections for temporary structures, pyrotechnics, and other permitted uses.

Essential Functions

The following essential functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or
different functions from those below, to address business needs and changing business practices:

Plan, organize and administer policies and programs related to the City’s fire prevention services, including fire & building code inspection, plan reviews, and hazardous materials management. Monitor program operations and personnel to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations and procedures;

Manage the development and implementation of divisional goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommend, within Departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures to increase departmental/divisional efficiency and effectiveness;

Supervise Fire Prevention Division staff; prioritize and assign work; coach, motivate, develop future leaders, and provide feedback on employee performance; train staff and ensure compliance with applicable personnel policies and procedures; promote a healthy and safe working environment; approve payroll records; and make hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations;

Oversee departmental fire inspection programs for new and existing commercial and residential occupancies as required by statue; ensure compliance with the California Fire Code, city ordinances, state and local laws and nationally recognized fire prevention standards;

Develop and interpret state and local codes and ordinances related to fire prevention and safety; rule on alternate means and methods for construction and engineered community fire protection;

Oversee new construction of fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems plan review, pre-construction meetings, and act as liaison with internal and external stakeholders;

Manage Fire Prevention Division records and program data to ensure accurate record keeping; supervise data entry activities for the fire permits program, hazardous materials disclosure program, emergency plans, and the Department Record Management System (RMS); serve as custodian of records for all fire prevention-related documents;

Manage, participate in, and facilitate training and education in fire prevention, code enforcement, building construction and inspection services, hazardous materials regulations, community disaster response, and related topics;

Participates in and manages the development and administration of the Fire Prevention Bureau annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; directs the monitoring and approval of expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.

Represent the City on a variety of boards, commissions, advisory councils, and/or community groups; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fire prevention and inspection;

Conduct various organizational and operational studies; recommend modifications to fire prevention and inspection programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate;

Respond to complex community, business, and citizen inquiries and resolve difficult and sensitive complaints;

Perform related duties as assigned.