Fire Marshal Deputy III Full-Time Position

Salary : $85,520.00 Annually
Location : Ellis County Central, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: FIRE MARSHAL
Opening Date: 10/07/2026

Description
Reports to: Ellis County Fire Marshal & Assistant Fire Marshal in Fire Marshal Absence

Hours: Various Shifts / Flexible / Possible Weekends & Holidays

Salary: $85,520.00, plus cert pay, plus longevity

Summary

Under direction of the Ellis County Fire Marshal, and Asst. Fire Marshals, the Fire Inspector / Investigator performs advanced level protective service work in fire prevention, fire safety inspection, plan reviews, code enforcement and fire investigations, including environmental crimes when needed. This position is responsible for highly complex, more sensitive matters and serves as an expert in area(s) of specialty. Conduct fire and life safety inspections as well as plan reviews to ensure building and facilities are following fire codes. Work involves investigating fires for origin and cause to determine if fire was accidental or incendiary. Pursue filing criminal charges of individuals who have committed arson. Assist with Emergency Management as assigned. Works under general supervision with moderate latitude with use of initiative and independent judgment. Person must be available to work on call responses nights and weekends when needed.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planning, organizing, and coordinating the operations of the Fire Marshal's Office to ensure implementation of the department's vision and mission.
• Prepare reports, conducts plan reviews and inspection reports' reviews applications for permits and licenses;
• Assists inspectors and code enforcement officers in code related matters; provides technical assistance concerning code interpretations;
• Conducts complex fire safety inspections of schools, public and private health care facilities, businesses and occupancies for compliance with fire safety codes; prepares written reports citing violations of code, nature of violations and explaining actions to be taken to correct violations; conducts follow-up inspections to determine if corrective actions have been taken;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with County Departments, local, state and federal agencies and other groups in relation to fire regulations, investigations and code enforcement;
• Maintains a variety of files and records and prepares detailed narrative and statistical reports;
• Conducts fire prevention presentations and informational speeches before public groups;
• Responds to public inquiries concerning code requirements and answer citizen complaints;
• Investigates fires as directed by the Fire Marshal to determine origin and cause to determine if the fire was accidental or incendiary.
• Pursue filing criminal charges of individuals who have committed arson.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge

• Knowledge of related Federal, State, Local, and County regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of fire prevention and inspection methods and techniques;
• Knowledge of 2024 International Fire Code & Life Safety Code
• Knowledge of how to use NFPA standards;.
• Knowledge of fire science;
• Knowledge of emergency planning and preparedness;

Required Skills:

• Skill in interpreting and applying related laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Skill in interacting with people at all levels of organization;
• Skill in conducting fire and life safety inspections;
• Skill in conducting research and analysis, and in preparing and presenting technical data, information, and reports;
• Skill in problem solving and decision making;
• Skill to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with citizens.
• Skill in preparing arson cases to be presented to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Education and/or Experience

• Experience working with fire code Inspection experience, including plans review, preferred.
• Experience fire and arson investigations experience, preferred.
• Associate Degree in Fire Science or Criminal Justice is preferred.
• High school graduate or equivalent, required.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection ("TCFP"), as a basic Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner
• Certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection ("TCFP"), as a basic Fire Investigator
• Certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection ("TCFP"), as a basic Arson Investigator
• Certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement ("TCOLE") as a Basic Peace Officers License
• Valid Class C Texas Driver License preferred Class B (firefighter exempt).
• Previously trained in NIMS (IS-100, 200, 300,400, 700, and 800) is preferred. Will have one year to obtain from start date of employment.

Guidelines

The Deputy Fire Marshal III uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as Ellis County Fire Marshal's policies, local, state and federal regulations, established precedents, and work directions. This employee uses guidelines for application to specific cases and problems. The Deputy Fire Marshal III must interpret intent and develop applications to certain areas. This position must establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, outside agencies, other county staff and officials, and the public. This position must have a strong work ethic. The Deputy Fire Marshal III must follow directions, meet deadlines, have good attendance, be punctual, keep promises, be reliable, and have proper attitude. Employee must be available to communicate with others while conducting their job.

Emotional Demands
This position must be able to handle stressful situations. Interacts with some argumentative or emotional contacts with the public.
Physical Demands
The physical demand described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to:

• Stand for long periods of time
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Push and pull
• Bend and twist
• Taste and use acute sense of smell
• Talk
• Hear
• Required on rare occasions to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 150 pounds

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent regularly works outdoors, and around fire damaged buildings, and in all weather conditions. The incumbent is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; risk of radiation; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment may be loud. The incumbent may be exposed to unsound structures and hazardous debris.
Ellis County offers the following benefits for full-time employees.

Insurance:

HEALTH: PPO BCBS Plan

Ellis County offers an incentive program which pays for employee premiums at 100% if completed. Dependent coverage is available at the expense of the employee.
DENTAL: PPO BCBS Plan

Employee premiums are paid at 100% by the County. Dependent coverage is available at the expense of the employee.
VISION: BCBS/EyeMed Vision Care

Coverage is offered at the expense of the employee.
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS

Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Term Life, and Whole Life offered through American Fidelity at the expense of the employee.
Retirement:

TEXAS COUNTY & DISTRICT RETIREMENT SYSTEM (TCDRS)
Employee Deposit Rate:7% (Mandatory)Vesting:8 years of serviceEmployer Matching Rate:200% at retirementRetirement Eligibility:20 years of service (any age)For more information, please visit
LIFE

The County provides each employee with a life insurance policy of 1x their annual salary through TCDRS.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457(b) Plan through Corebridge Financial. The County offers payroll deductions, and the employee chooses the amount of investment.
Other County Benefits:

VACATION

Vacation time is accrued after one year of service and granted on your anniversary date each consecutive year.

1st - 4th year anniversary date12 days

5th - 15th year anniversary date17 days

16th year anniversary date & thereafter22 days
SICK LEAVE

Employees accrue 4 hours of sick leave each month.
HOLIDAYS

Employees receive 14 paid holidays. Holiday schedules vary from year to year.
PERSONAL DAY

Employees receive one 8-hour personal day after completing 6 months of employment.

After the first six months of employment, employees will accrue one 8-hour personal day on January 1st of each consecutive year.