Assistant Fire Marshal

Union County; Monroe (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Union County in North Carolina seeks an Assistant Fire Marshal to perform technical inspections, investigate fires, and enforce fire codes across county facilities and occupancies.

Under supervision, you will prepare detailed reports, coordinate field investigations, and assist with emergency management activities, pre-fire planning, and public safety education. A January 2027 start is noted.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Fire Science or Emergency Preparedness Technology plus three years of fire investigator experience or equivalent combination.
• North Carolina Firefighter Certification required.
• North Carolina EMT Certification required.
• FEMA NIMS Certifications (100,200,700,800) required or obtainable.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history.

Responsibilities

• Conducts technical and specialized inspections to ensure compliance with fire codes.
• Investigates causes/origins of fires and coordinates with law enforcement and DA’s office.
• Writes detailed reports and follows up to verify violations are corrected.
• Performs fire scene examinations and collects evidence as part of investigations.
• Assists with Emergency Management activities and pre-fire planning.
• Participates in on-call rotation for 24-hour fire investigation and emergency response.

Education

Associate’s Degree in Fire Science or Emergency Preparedness Technology

Three years of experience as a fire investigator

Equivalent combination of education and experience

North Carolina Firefighter Certification

North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician Certification

FEMA NIMS Certifications (100,200,700,800)

Job description

The Assistant Fire Marshal, under general supervision, performs technical and specialized inspections, examining various occupancies to ensure compliance with the state and local fire codes and ordinances fire / explosive investigations, and conducts Emergency Management functions. Work involves coordinating and conducting field inspections/investigations, and documenting inspection findings. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in all phases of work.

Please note: The start date for this position will be in January 2027.

Interprets, explains, enforces, and applies county, state, and national fire codes related to fire prevention.

Conducts fire prevention inspections of existing county buildings and commercial and storage facilities.

Recommends required corrective action where code violations are found.

Writes technical reports listing all violations found during inspections and makes follow-up visits to ensure that violations have been corrected.

Pursues appropriate judicial actions to ensure code compliance as necessary.

Investigates the cause, origin, and circumstances of any fire occurring in the county which is of a suspicious nature, or which involves loss of life or injury to persons.

Conducts fire scene examination, collects, and documents evidence, conducts interviews, and examines statements made by witnesses, suspects, or others.

Works with law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, and District Attorney's office in the investigation of both accidental and incendiary fires.

Provides emergency responses to hazardous materials incidents in conjunction with other local agencies such as Environmental Health, Emergency Management, and Hazardous Material Response Team.

Assists local fire departments with pre-fire planning activities, emergency response and hazard mitigation.

Assists with special projects such as fire prevention activities, fire department training programs, and safety programs.

Participates in an On-Call rotation which allows for 24-hour response throughout the County for fire investigation services, code enforcement and emergency management response. This position is also subject to call after normal working hours at the discretion of the supervisor.

Gives presentations and performs other public relations activities to improve public consciousness of fire prevention and safety devices and procedures.

Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Exercises safe defensive driving techniques and maintains clean, orderly vehicle and equipment.

Functions in accordance with County’s Emergency Operations Plan and assumes assigned tasks related to Emergency Management.

Assists with firefighting activities on an as needed basis.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Associate’s Degree from an accredited university in Fire Science or Emergency Preparedness Technology, and three (3) years of experience as a fire investigator; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

North Carolina Firefighter Certification.

North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician Certification.

Federal Emergency Management Agency NIMS Certifications at a level to prepare to assume duties at the management level. (100,200,700 and 800)

Ability to obtain North Carolina Probationary Fire Level I certification within one (1) month of appointment.

Ability to obtain North Carolina Fire Investigation Technician, North Carolina Fire Level I Standard, and NIMS IC 300 certifications within one (1) year of appointment.

Ability to obtain North Carolina Fire Officer I and North Carolina Fire and Life Safety Educator Level I certifications within two (2) years of appointment.

Ability to obtain North Carolina Fire Level II Standard and North Carolina Fire and Life Safety Educator II certifications within three (3) years of appointment.

Completion of National Fire Academy Chemistry of Hazardous Materials Course or equivalent is desired.

Must have a valid Driver’s License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Special Requirements:

This position may be subject to a fingerprint background check. Per NC General Statute 153A-94.2(b), applicants for a position of employment required to work with children in any capacity will be required to electronically submit fingerprints to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a state and national criminal history record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Licenses or Certifications:

North Carolina Standard Fire Inspector Level I Certification.

North Carolina Fire Investigator Technician Certification.

North Carolina Fire and Life Safety Educator I Certification.

North Carolina Fire Officer I Certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including computers, air compressors, carbon monoxide testers, radiation kits, smoke machines, firefighting, rescue, medical, SCBA and emergency management equipment, copiers, etc. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 15 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Medium Work. Must successfully pass entry level firefighter physical and job suitability testing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the need to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Participates in IDLH (Immediately dangerous to life or health) environments as needed.