Deputy Fire Marshal

Position Overview

The Town of Vail is Now Hiring a Deputy Fire Marshal

Open Until Filled

The Deputy Fire Marshal’s position is an administrative position that manages and leads the Fire Prevention Division. Responsibilities include the management and supervision of all assigned fire prevention operations and staff, including plan review; construction and existing building inspections; hazardous materials compliance; short term rental inspection program; investigations; juvenile fire setting programs, pre-plan administration, and code development. Represents the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief and the fire department to the public and elected officials and maintains an active role in outside activities to include meetings with the public, other public safety departments, and other jurisdictions. This position is an exempt position reporting directly to the Deputy Fire Chief of the department. 

This is a non-ranked, uniformed position reporting to the 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities. 

• This position provides overall management and supervision of all fire prevention activities within the Town of Vail.  
• Serves as a high-level representative of the department with outside agencies, political and city officials, other fire and rescue departments, and the public. May represent the Deputy Fire Chief and make commitments on behalf of the department as it pertains to fire prevention.  
• Administers fire codes to ensure protection of life and property. Develops, presents, and implements code modifications and amendments as necessary. Prepares code adoption documentation for the Town of Vail, collaborates with stakeholders, and makes presentations to elected officials. 
• Uses the Town of Vail Code, International Codes, and related Standards, manages and performs detailed and technical plan review of new buildings, tenant improvements, new site development permit applications for compliance.  
• Uses the Town of Vail Code, International Codes, and related Standards, manages and performs detailed and technical plan review of Fire Protection System plans, including water-based, clean agent, dry chemical, wet chemical, alarm systems, and other fire safety systems and equipment. 
• Assist Deputy Fire Chief with inner-governmental planning sessions related to streetscape designs, fire department access, fire hydrant placement, road design, access, staging areas, and related elements. 
• Responsible for and manages the fire permit program that includes the ability to issue permits, conduct field inspection and testing of fire and life safety systems and building elements such as emergency lighting, exiting, emergency generator operations and site access. 
• Responsible for and manages the fire and life safety inspections program of existing business occupancies and for inspecting and testing of fire protection and detection systems and equipment in accordance with adopted codes, standards, and policies. 
• Responsible for and manages the fire and life safety short term rental inspection program; supervises field inspectors, ability to also conduct short term rental inspections.  
• Develops inspection and investigation policies, procedures and priorities intended to improve fire and life safety conditions within the community. 
• Responsible for and manages all permitting for Town of Vail Special Events, Assembly Space Operational Permits, provides input and direction for all special events; including scheduling and supervising field inspectors, ability to also conduct field inspections.  
• Conduct or supervise fire investigations.  Ability to document fire scenes.  Document and preserve evidence.  Produce and provide oral or written testimony or reports. 
• May recommend criminal charges or issue summons as appropriate as they pertain to arson, fire code, and hazardous materials violations. Works closely with law enforcement agencies for the presentation of criminal cases. 
• Responds to major fire, emergency, and other rescue incidents. Functions as on-call Investigations/Division Supervisor.  

• Responsible for supervising and managing fire prevention staff, including writing and conducting employee performance evaluations. 
• Responsible for planning, staffing, budgeting and producing public education programs for schools, hotels, hospitals and guests and citizens of the Town of Vail. 
• Prepares and monitors the fire prevention budget. Reviews and approves purchases, monitors resources, and ensures budgetary compliance throughout the fiscal year. Is responsible for all expenditures and budget management. 
• Attends yearly approved trainings outside of organization pertaining to fire codes, standards, and leadership, etc.  
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours.   
• Serve the citizens and guests of the Town of Vail by abiding by all Town of Vail core values. 
• Perform job in accordance with all Town of Vail safety practices. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Skills / Requirements

• The position is responsible for maintaining and monitoring budget and/or capital expenses for the Fire Prevention Bureau. 
• Provides day-to-day work direction to peers or serves as a resource for less experienced employees. 
• Coordinates or serves as liaison/point person for the event review committee, development review team, and the building and fire code board of appeals.  May also represent the Deputy Chief of department at town staff meetings. 
• Decisions and actions made on the job effect employee safety and the levels of service provided. Has an impact on the organization, community and guest experience by serving as an ambassador of the town. 
• Actions may affect a work unit or area within a department. May contribute to business and operational decisions that affect the department. 
• Decisions have implications on the management and operations of both the public and private sector. Job may contribute to important strategy and direction of the Town of Vail. 
• Decisions have significant, broad implications for the management and operations of a division. Job contributes to decisions on the overall strategy and direction of the Town of Vail.  
• Exercises independent judgment to perform the core responsibilities as outlined by established guidelines or policies and may seek resources or assistance in matters as needed. 
• Ability to temporarily override policy/practices for extreme or unusual circumstances within scope of day-to-day functions. 
• The position creates goals and procedures, and the decision-making impacts the entire department/organization. 

In addition they must meet the following requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact well with staff, employees, citizens, and command staff members of other departments. 
• Requires expert knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of modern fire suppression, prevention, and community risk reduction strategies. 
• Must be able to use electronic reporting systems and programs to generate reports and maintain inspection records and plan review. 
• Must have background in fire investigation including documentation and preservation of evidence and fire scene safety. 
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of fire, building and life safety codes and be able to apply them to both new construction and the built environment. 

• Must thoroughly understand applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they apply to fire services; building and fire codes; personnel law; safety regulations; National Fire Protection Association standards; local municipal codes and departmental rules; regulations; and standard operating procedures.  

Education, Experience and Certificates 

Qualifications: 

Associate’s degree in a related technical field and a minimum of three years’ experience as a Plans Examiner or Fire Inspector or in a related supervisor technical role. Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Fire Protection Engineering, or related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Experience in new construction inspections required. Must meet the job performance requirements defined in NFPA Standard 1031. Plan review experience is required. Prior fire investigation experience preferred.  

Required:  

• Colorado Driver’s License within thirty days of hire. 
• Possess and maintain ICC certified Fire Inspector II; ability to obtain State of Colorado Fire Inspector II within 6 months of hire.  
• Possess and maintain ICC certified Fire or Building Plans Examiner; ability to obtain within 6 months of hire. 
• Possess and maintain State of Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Inspector III – Plans Examiner; ability to obtain within 9 months of hire). 
• Fire Investigations certifications IAAI-CFI or IAAI-FIT or NAFI-CFEI; ability to obtain within one year of hire. 
• NWCG S-130/S-190
• Successful completion of work capacity test at the light level

Preferred:  

• Minimum of 3 year’s experience in an all-hazards fire agency. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fire prevention. 
• NWCG FI 210 

Culture / Lifestyle / Benefits

The Town of Vail offers an excellent benefits and compensation package to our Full-time employees. This includes health and dental coverage, town-funded retirement, 457 pre-tax savings plan, life/survivor insurance, tennis pass, golf pass and other ski pass/wellness benefits. 

What’s more, the town offers many other benefits to help employees make Vail their “home” including employee housing options, home buyer/renter assistance programs, day care assistance, education reimbursements, professional development opportunities and much, much more.