The Assistant Fire Marshal serves as a senior member of the Fire Prevention Division and acts under the direction of the Fire Marshal to administer, coordinate, and enforce the City’s fire prevention, inspection, investigation, and community risk reduction programs. This position requires advanced technical expertise, sound judgment, and leadership in the interpretation and application of fire codes, ordinances, and standards.
The Assistant Fire Marshal assumes delegated authority of the Fire Marshal as assigned and may act in the Fire Marshal’s absence. During emergencies, the Assistant Fire Marshal may be assigned to command support, investigation, firefighting, EMS, SOT, or other operational duties as directed.
Scope of Impact:
The Assistant Fire Marshal exercises significant independent judgment and authority in enforcing fire and building codes, issuing corrective orders, approving plans, and directing inspections and investigations. This position provides functional leadership to fire prevention personnel, mentors operational staff, and influences departmental policy, procedures, and long-term risk reduction strategies.
The Assistant Fire Marshal represents the Fire Department as a technical authority and advisor to City departments, elected officials, developers, engineers, architects, and public and private organizations.
Fire Prevention Program Administration
- Administers and enforces fire, building, electrical, and mechanical codes; applicable ordinances; and state statutes related to fire prevention and life safety.
- Oversees and coordinates fire inspections, code enforcement activities, and special hazard permitting.
- Exercises authority to issue fire prevention orders, stop-work orders, citations, and corrective action notices in accordance with City policy and state law.
- Reviews, approves, and signs inspection reports, permits, and compliance documentation.
- Makes formal recommendations to the Fire Marshal regarding policy development, ordinance revisions, enforcement strategies, and operational improvements.
- Assists in developing division goals, work plans, and performance expectations.
Plans Review and Technical Authority
- Performs and oversees plan review for fire protection systems, building and site design, construction materials, hazardous processes, and occupancy classifications.
- Serves as the Fire Department’s technical authority for fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, standpipes, hydrant systems, and special suppression systems.
- Provides technical direction to engineers, architects, designers, contractors, and inspectors regarding code compliance and system performance.
- Reviews and approves Fire Department Special Hazard Permits.
Inspections and Enforcement
- Oversees inspections of new and existing buildings, licensed daycare facilities (commercial and residential) and fire permits
- Responds to complex or high-risk code compliance issues and public complaints.
- Ensures consistent enforcement practices and provides guidance on interpretation of ambiguous or complex code provisions.
Leadership, Training, and Mentorship
- Provides leadership, training, and mentorship to fire prevention staff and operational personnel in inspections, investigations, pre-fire planning, and evidence security.
- Develops and delivers training related to fire codes, inspection practices, fire protection systems, and fire investigation techniques.
- Performs quality assurance reviews of inspections, reports, and investigations conducted by other personnel.
Emergency Response and Operations
- Perform firefighting, EMS, SOT, investigation, and command-support duties as assigned.
- Responds to significant fire incidents to support incident command, conduct origin and cause investigations, and ensure evidence preservation.
- Participates in after-action reviews and recommends operational and prevention-related improvements.
- Participates in emergency response after hours as needed.
Fire Investigation
- Leads or assists in complex fire investigations, independently or as part of a multi-agency team.
- Conducts and documents interviews, witness statements, and investigative findings.
- Prepares comprehensive investigative reports suitable for administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.
- Oversees evidence collection, documentation, and chain-of-custody procedures.
- Coordinates investigations and fire prevention activities with law enforcement, building officials, and other City departments.
- Participates in fire investigation after hours as needed.
Public Education and Community Risk Reduction
- Oversees and participates in fire prevention and public education initiatives targeting identified community risks.
- Serves as a subject matter expert and spokesperson for fire prevention matters.
- Represents the Fire Department on public and private safety committees, planning teams, and advisory groups.
- Provides technical input on development projects, special events, and community risk assessments.
Professional Standards and Administration
- Maintains the highest ethical standards and public trust.
- Assists in budget planning, program evaluation, and data-driven risk reduction efforts as assigned.
- Performs other duties consistent with the authority and responsibility of the position as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Valid Minnesota driver’s license or equivalent out-of-state license.
- Minimum of three (4) years of full-time firefighting experience or equivalent combination of training and related experience.
- Minnesota certified Plans Examiner or equivalent
- Licensed firefighter through the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE)by time of hire.
- Within two (2) years of appointment, must meet Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board (MFSCB) requirements for:
- Fire Investigator (NFPA 1033)
- Public Fire Educator I (NFPA 1035)
- Additional certifications as determined by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal
Desired Qualifications:
- Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science or Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration or a related field.
- NICET certification in fire protection systems.
- Fire Protection Engineer designation.
- International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) – Certified Fire Investigator (CFI).
- EMT certification
- Supervisory experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Advanced knowledge of fire prevention, inspection, and investigation practices.
- Advanced knowledge of fire sprinkler, fire alarm, and special suppression systems.
- Thorough knowledge of building construction and applicable fire and building codes.
- Ability to interpret and apply complex and ambiguous code provisions consistently and defensibly.
- Strong leadership, instructional, and mentoring skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, professionals, staff, and the public.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in sensitive matters.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
Physical effort for the inspector portion of the job is light the majority of the time, with lifting or carrying limited to 25 pounds intermittently. There is a need to deliver training and education, which may involve several hours of public speaking in front of employee groups and the public. Report preparation and writing will at times require use of a keyboard.
For the fire fighter portion of the job, incumbents must be able to stand, climb ladders, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, and reach; to walk or run on uneven surfaces; and to drag in excess of 150 pounds. There is frequent lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 50 pounds and regular moving of objects up to 20 pounds.
Working Conditions:
Inspection work is performed in a normal office environment or at sites being evaluated or inspected. Occasional driving or riding is required. Occasional exposure to loud noise may be expected.
For the Fire Fighter portion of the job, work involves calls to emergency situations. There is exposure to very disagreeable working conditions such as fumes, fire, smoke, extreme weather conditions including ice, snow, extreme high and low temperatures, humidity, rain, dirt, and mud. The work involves exposure to hazardous conditions such as toxic chemicals, slippery conditions, working in traffic areas and adverse road conditions. While at emergency scenes, incumbent may have exposure to injury, trauma, blood-borne pathogens, traffic accidents, and visual and emotional trauma. Incumbent is required to take appropriate safety precautions and wear protective equipment.
For the fire investigation portion of the job, incumbent may be exposed to extended work periods, extremes of weather/temperature, uneven terrain, trip, fall and electrical hazards, byproducts of combustion, adverse sights, smells and textures and situations.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this job at any time.