Assistant Fire Marshal - 141199

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health seeks an experienced Assistant Fire Marshal to serve as a technical authority for complex fire and life safety enforcement, plan reviews, and field inspections across healthcare facilities, clinics, and research labs.

Under the MOU with OSFM, the role reviews construction plans, enforces CCR Titles 19 and 24, NFPA standards, and coordinates with local and state regulators to assure hospital readiness and ongoing compliance.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in complex fire prevention, plan review, and code enforcement in healthcare or institutional settings OR a relevant bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of related experience/training.
• Experience in fire prevention work within public or private sectors, preferably five years.
• Must be nominated and approved for DCFM authority within 6–12 months of appointment.
• OSFM Fire Inspector II and Fire Plans Examiner certifications required.
• Strong knowledge of applicable regulations, codes, and guidelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical plan reviews of complex healthcare facility construction and fire protection systems.
• Perform field inspections of new construction, modifications, and infrastructure modernization across UCSD Health properties.
• Plan and conduct hospital fire drills and develop advanced fire prevention training for clinical and research staff.
• Inspect facilities for ongoing Title 19 compliance.
• Manage hospital fire drills across varied shifts and occupancies per TJC, CMS, and Title 19 standards.
• Act as DCFM on behalf of UCSD Health after OSFM approval.

Skills

Fire protection

Code enforcement

Plan review

Field inspections

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering or related field

Tools

ICC Fire Inspector II

ICC Fire Plans Examiner

Job description

DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the Lead Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM), the Assistant Fire Marshal serves as a technical authority, performing complex fire and life safety enforcement, technical plan reviews, and field inspections for UCSD Health's healthcare facilities, clinics, and research laboratories.

Operating under the delegated authority of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of California and the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), the incumbent independently reviews, approves, or rejects design and construction documents and enforces California Code of Regulations (CCR) Titles 19 and 24, NFPA standards, and Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) mandates. The position serves as an institutional liaison to local fire authorities, state regulators, and accreditation bodies to ensure continuous hospital readiness and life safety compliance.

Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct technical plan reviews of complex healthcare facility construction, modifications, and fire protection systems. Ensure structural designs comply with HCAI, California Building Standards Codes (Title 24), Title 19 (Public Safety), NFPA 99 (Health Care Facilities Code), and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code).
• Direct and perform field inspections of new construction, structural modifications, tenant improvements, and infrastructure modernizations across all UCSD Health properties.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct mandatory hospital fire and evacuation drills across diverse medical occupancies. Develop and deliver advanced fire prevention and community risk reduction training programs for clinical and research personnel.
• Inspect existing facilities for ongoing Title 19 compliance.
• Manage, schedule, and evaluate mandatory hospital fire drills across varied clinical shifts and occupancies in accordance with The Joint Commission (TJC), CMS, and Title 19 standards.
• Upon receiving OSFM approval, act as the Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) on behalf of UCSD Health. Utilize delegated authority under the UCOP-OSFM Memorandum of Agreement to review, approve, or deny construction plans, modifications, and fire-life safety infrastructure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in complex fire prevention, plan review, and code enforcement, with specialized emphasis on healthcare or institutional environments OR Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Science, Construction Management, Civil/Mechanical Engineering, or related field, plus three (3) years of related experience/training.
• Related Experience: Experience in fire prevention work within a public fire prevention bureau, building inspection agency, or in fire prevention/industrial safety engineering within private industry, preferably a minimum of five years.
• Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) Requirement: Must be successfully nominated by the University and accepted/approved by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to hold Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM)authority within 6-12 months of appointment.
• California State Fire Training (OSFM) Fire Inspector II (formerly Fire Inspector 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D).
• California State Fire Training (OSFM) Fire Plans Examiner.
• Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
• Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and skill to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within time and budget constraints.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Healthcare Experience evaluating active OSHPD/HCAI Institutional (I-Occupancy) hospital environments and managing The Joint Commission (TJC) standards.
• HCAI Qualification: possess or be fully qualified to obtain the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)Fire and Life Safety Officer II (FLSO II).
• International Code Council (ICC) Certified Fire Inspector II and International Code Council (ICC) Certified Fire Plans Examiner.
• Experience working within a healthcare or academic medical center setting.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Emergency Response/On-Call: Must be available to respond to campus fire/life safety emergencies, critical utility impairments, and catastrophic events outside normal business hours as required.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: Unclassified - No data available (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: Unclassified - No data available

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).