Salary : $112,500.00 - $169,152.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 27-002
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: 7/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The current vacancy is for Deputy Fire Marshal in the Fire Department. This promotional recruitment is open to current regular City of Santa Cruz employees in the classified service only. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Under direction, the Deputy Fire Marshal assists in the enforcement of local, state, and federal regulations and laws relating to life safety and fire prevention which includes: reviewing complex plans and specifications for new buildings and fire protection systems; investigating fires as to cause and origin; conducting fire prevention inspections of residential and commercial structures; supervising fire inspection staff; and educating the public in fire prevention and fire inspection. Performs other related duties as required.
Recruitment #27-002
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 07/23/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

1. Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application to receive credit.

• Week of 07/27/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for the position and applicants notified of their status in the recruitment by 07/29/26.
• Week of 08/03/26: Qualified candidates who have successfully passed the application process will be invited to participate in an oral examination to be held the week of 08/03/26. This oral examination will consist of two components:
  • 1. Scenario-Based Exercise: Candidates will independently prepare and present a response to a realistic job-related scenario as though serving in the role of Deputy Fire Marshal. The exercise will be completed the day of the oral examination. There will be no take-home assignment or presentation materials required. Instructions will be provided to candidates at their oral examination appointment.
  • 2. Structured Oral Interview: Candidates will participate in a structured interview conducted by a panel of subject matter experts.
  • Responses to the scenario-based exercise and structured oral interview will be evaluated by the panel and combined into one overall oral examination score. Candidates receiving a passing score of 70% or higher on the oral examination will be placed on the eligible list in ranked order. Candidates with failing scores lower than 70% will not be placed on the eligible list.
• Chief's interview: The highest-ranked candidates may be invited to participate in a Chief's interview with the Fire Chief and Division Chief of Prevention.

Basic Function

Under direction, assists in the enforcement of local, state, and federal regulations and laws relating to life safety and fire prevention which includes: reviewing complex plans and specifications for new buildings and fire protection systems; investigating fires as to cause and origin; conducting fire prevention inspections of residential and commercial structures; supervising fire inspection staff; and educating the public in fire prevention and fire inspection. Performs other related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics

This sworn classification performs independent and responsible work in promoting and insuring life safety and fire prevention through inspection, education, and enforcement. The incumbent supervises and trains the Fire Prevention Inspector classification and advises other Fire Department staff engaged in inspection and prevention activities. This classification is distinguished from the Fire Division Chief-Prevention classification in that the latter is the manager of the fire prevention/inspection program and has major administrative responsibilities.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below):

• Performs technical code enforcement inspections of properties as assigned to ensure that they are in compliance with the Fire Code, local ordinances, and regulations as they pertain to the design, construction and installation of fire protection equipment.
• Inspects storage and handling of reactive materials, explosives and flammable liquids
• Reviews complex plans for new construction and fire protection systems to determine compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Confers with property owners, contractors, engineers, architects and others on fire protection requirements and recommendations.
• Supervises Fire Prevention Inspector I/II classification including training and evaluating performance.
• Assists engine company personnel in the interpretation and enforcement of Fire Prevention Codes.
• Responds to fires and directs or conducts the investigation of cause and origin and for evidence of arson; prepares reports on findings; serves as liaison to the district attorney's office regarding criminal actions; appears in court as required.
• Conducts or coordinates public fire safety programs in schools, for the community and for professional and trade construction groups.
• Inspects and tests fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, heat and smoke detection devices and other fire protection and control mechanisms.
• Assists and trains department staff in interpretation and enforcement of the applicable laws and codes relating to code enforcement.
• Investigates complaints of fire hazards, prepares correction notices to property and business owners and issues citations when necessary; takes steps to prevent recurrence of hazards.
• Inspects existing construction for conformance to applicable fire safety codes and standards.
• Coordinates fire protection matters with other city departments or agencies.
• Assists with strategic planning and development of the department master plan.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when assessing emergency situations, performing inspections and reading documents. This position requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and acute hearing to communicate in both emergency and non-emergency situations. This position requires the ability to smell in order to detect odors, such as smoke, gases and other odors that could indicate harmful or dangerous environments. The need to lift, carry, drag and push tools, equipment, supplies, victims and patients weighing up to 165 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position may be exposed to a variety of working conditions, including wet, heat and cold and may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. This position may be exposed to loud noises such as helicopters, fire engines and chainsaws. The nature of the work may require the incumbent to climb ladders, work in confined spaces and wear a breathing apparatus and/or protective clothing. The incumbent may be required to respond to after hour emergency calls. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• Five years of experience in a paid full-time status with a Fire Department in a Safety capacity

OR

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• 36 units of college courses in fire science or a related field; and
• Four years of experience in a paid full-time status with a Fire Department in a Safety capacity.

OR

• Bachelor's degree or higher in fire science or a related field from an accredited college or university; and
• Two years of experience in a paid full-time status with a Fire Department in a Safety capacity.

Knowledge:

• Principles, practices, methods and techniques of fire prevention and investigation.
• Laws, ordinances and regulations regarding fire prevention and inspection.
• Fire protection devices and systems.
• Building materials and construction.
• Computerized systems for maintaining data and preparing reports and correspondence.
• Laws and procedures of arrest, search and seizure.

Abilities:

• Identify life safety and fire hazards; gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and draw. logical conclusions relative to the interpretation and enforcement of laws, ordinances, and regulations; implement corrective measures necessary to abate hazards.
• Communicate requirements, policies, and decisions to the public in a courteous and effective manner.
• Supervise, plan and direct the work of others.
• Prepare clear and concise written reports and correspondence.
• Make effective oral presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people contacted in the course of work.
• Work irregular hours and perform callback work as required.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Training

• Completion of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified training course in accordance with Penal Code Section 832 by the end of the probationary period.

• Completion of the following California State Fire Training courses or their equivalent within two years of appointment:

• Fire Investigation 1A
• Fire Investigation 1B
• Fire Investigation 1C

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record.
• California State Fire Marshal Fire Prevention 1A and 1B; or Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, and 1C; or Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D by the end of the probationary period.
• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate or State of California Paramedic license by the end of the probationary period.

On-Call Fire Investigator Response Time

• Must be able to respond within 60-minutes to the main fire station when on call for fire investigation.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• AA/AS degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Completion of California State Fire Training courses in Fire Prevention and Fire Investigation.
• California State Fire Marshal "Fire Officer" certification or courses toward that certification
• California State Fire Marshal "Fire Inspector I or II", "Plan Examiner", or "Fire Marshal" certification
• California State Fire Marshal "Fire Investigator" certification or equivalent
• P.C. 832 certificate
• Hazardous Materials On Scene Commander certificate
• CICCS ENGB qualification or open Task Book

Career Ladder

• Fire Chief
• Fire Division Chief-Prevention
• Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Captain
• Fire Engineer
• Fire Prevention Inspector II, Firefighter
• Fire Prevention Inspector I

SALARY - The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website See the on the City website for further details on pay rates and practices.

LEAVE

40 hr Employee

Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Sick - 8 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program.

Holidays - up to 11 days/year, plus 3 floating holidays
56 hr Employees

Vacation - 12 hours/month up to 5 years, 18 hours per month 6-10 years, plus 1 hour per month for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 24 hours/month.

Sick - 12 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program.

Holidays - 192 hours/year
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)

Medical