Assistant Fire Marshal - Wildfire Mitigation

City of Carlsbad; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Carlsbad Fire Department seeks an experienced Assistant Fire Marshal to lead wildfire mitigation programs, advance community resilience, and ensure regulatory compliance. The role blends policy development, field inspections, and public outreach to reduce fire risk across the community.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, knowledge of wildfire behavior, risk reduction strategies, and the ability to coordinate with multiple agencies while advancing innovative resilience

Qualifications

• Associate's degree and four years of progressively responsible experience related to hazardous materials, plan review, and/or inspection experience.
• BS or BA in fire protection engineering, public administration or supervision is desirable.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise employees to include prioritizing and assigning work; conduct performance evaluations; ensure staff are trained; and make hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Conduct wildfire risk assessments and oversee mitigation programs.
• Develop and supervise public education and outreach on fire prevention and safety.
• Coordinate with developers, engineers, and other departments on fire prevention requirements.
• Review plans for compliance with fire codes and inspect hazardous occupancies and special events.

Skills

Supervisory principles

Communication skills

Public engagement

Risk assessment

Team leadership

GIS

Education

Associate's degree in related field

BS/BA in related field (desirable)

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Position

This recruitment will remain open until filled.

First application review will be conducted the week of August 10, 2026.

The City of Carlsbad Fire Department is seeking an experienced, innovative, and highly motivated professional to lead the city's expanding wildfire mitigation program. This newly established position will play a critical role in advancing community wildfire resilience through strategic planning, public engagement, risk reduction initiatives, and regulatory compliance.

Under general supervision, the Assistant Fire Marshal may plan, develop, implement, and manage wildfire mitigation programs and initiatives designed to reduce community wildfire risk. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting wildfire risk assessments, administering defensible space and home hardening programs, coordinating development of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), conducting public outreach and education, enforcing applicable codes and regulations, and collaborating with residents, stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and city departments to enhance community safety.

This position combines technical expertise, program management, field inspections, public engagement, and policy development to support the city's long‑term wildfire risk reduction goals. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with strong technical knowledge of wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, and community risk reduction. They possess excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to balance regulatory requirements, environmental considerations, and community needs while advancing innovative wildfire resilience strategies.

As the Assistant Fire Marshal overseeing wildfire mitigation, successful leadership and implementation of programs and services will depend upon your ability to assess wildfire hazards, community vulnerabilities, and structure ignition potential; analyze wildfire behavior, field inspections, and fire history to develop and prioritize mitigation efforts; utilize GIS and other technology platforms to support planning, risk assessment, and project implementation; navigate CEQA and environmental regulations affecting vegetation management and wildfire mitigation projects; coordinate land managers, regulatory agencies, and community partners; develop and deliver effective public education programs focused on wildfire preparedness and risk reduction; and monitor emerging legislation, regulations, and best practices related to wildfire mitigation.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in both office and field environments and includes exposure to varying weather conditions, uneven terrain, vegetation, active construction sites, and wildfire‑prone areas. Duties require walking, standing, climbing, crouching, lifting, and operating vehicles and field equipment. The position may require occasional evening and weekend work to support community meetings, outreach events, emergency operations, and other departmental needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise employees to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.


• Conduct quality control of operations.


• Write technical guidelines, bulletins, and interpretations.


• Coordinate staffing, permitting, scheduling, and other similar activities related to special events.


• Enforce ordinances of the Carlsbad jurisdiction related to the prevention of fires, the storage, use and handling of hazardous materials; proper installation and maintenance of fire and life safety systems; monitoring hazard abatement on vacant land, in buildings, and other property, including buildings under construction.


• Consult with developers, engineers, architects, contractors, other departments and agencies, local businesses and the industrial community, care facilities, and school districts regarding fire and hazard prevention problems and requirements.


• Explain and interpret requirements and restrictions as mandated by state, local and nationally recognized standards.


• Review plans of industrial, commercial and special hazard occupancies, water improvements, fire protection systems, hazardous material storage and use, and high‑piled storage, to ensure compliance with fire and safety codes.


• Review alternate materials and methods of construction for compliance with existing codes.


• Conduct plan review and perform fire prevention inspections for special events requiring unique or safety sensitive concerns, such as dealing with large crowds, temporary facilities or pyrotechnics.


• Supervise the inspections of hazardous and complex industrial and commercial occupancies, schools and city buildings.


• Coordinate inspection activities with city departments and public agencies; provide resources to engine company personnel in support of routine safety inspections as required.


• Provide technical training for fire department staff and engine company personnel; prepare training materials and train suppression and part‑time staff on code enforcement, community education programs, and other related topics.


• Develop and conduct public education programs related to fire prevention, disaster preparedness, fire safety and juvenile diversion; conduct special events, such as Open House; present programs to county committees and civic groups as assigned.


• Assist in development of department policies as they relate to fire prevention; research information, interpret new and current regulations, recommend and prepare new/revised policies and procedures for Fire Marshal's review.


• Conduct wildfire risk assessments; administer defensible space and home hardening programs; develop and coordinate hazard abatement programs and related activities; oversee weed abatement and wildfire mitigation activities; prepare contracts for weed abatement and wildfire mitigation, monitor contractor performance and expenditures within budget guidelines as necessary.


• Receive, investigate and resolve complaints related to conditions hazardous to life or property; provide a variety of information related to city policies and fire department procedures; refer inquiries to individuals or outside agencies as appropriate.


• Supervise the fire investigation program; and as needed, respond to fire scenes to conduct and supervise in the investigation of the cause and origin of fires and assist first responders at emergency incidents.


• Maintain records and prepare departmental reports, including special reports as assigned, i.e., weed abatement and wildfire mitigation, special projects, inspection complaints, performance metric, etc.


• Attend and represent the Fire Department at meetings, seminars and training classes related to code applications and development, fire protection systems and equipment, inspection and plan review practices.


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles


• California Building, Fire, and WUI Codes


• State and local fire codes and ordinances enforceable by the city, nationally recognized fire protection and safety standards, principles and techniques of fire inspection work


• Educational methodology as it relates to fire safety education


• Proper methods and procedures involved with inspection of residential, commercial and other facilities or property for fire prevention


• Wildfire behavior, field inspections, and fire history


• Principles and practices of training and providing work direction


• Principles and practices of effective customer service


• Program development and implementation


• Basic computer skills

Ability to:

• Oversee, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate staff; select, supervise, train and evaluate staff


• Detect deviations from plans, regulations, and standard construction/fire protection practices


• Read, interpret and explain building plans, fire protection system plans, fire building codes, and technical reports


• Advance community wildfire resilience through strategic planning, public engagement, risk reduction initiatives, and regulatory compliance


• Assess wildfire hazards, community vulnerabilities, and structure ignition potential


• Utilize GIS and other technology platforms to support planning, risk assessment, and project implementation


• Navigate CEQA and environmental regulations affecting vegetation management and wildfire mitigation projects


• Interface with Federal and State agencies to determine environmental impact of fire protection programs and requirements


• Provide necessary oversight for fire prevention inspection and education programs of the department


• Maintain cooperative working relationships with building and business owners, contractors and the general public


• Enforce regulations with firmness and tact


• Speak before groups in educational and training programs


• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

Experience & Education

Associate's degree and four years of progressively responsible experience related to hazardous materials, plan review, and/or inspection experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

BS or BA and experience in fire protection engineering, public administration or supervision is desirable.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Penal Code 832 Certification shall be obtained within 6 months of employment.

Possession of Plan Examiner and Fire Marshal Certifications from the California State Fire Marshal's office is desirable.

Within two years of promotion or employment, shall have completed State Fire Training (SFT) Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, & 1C. SFT Fire Investigator Task Book shall be completed within five years of promotion or employment.

Ability to obtain NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) certification within one year of appointment is highly desirable.

Environmental Conditions and Physical Standards

Requires performing duties both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather exposure. Incumbents must be able to stand, sit, walk, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, and climb ladders; to perform duties in areas of unstable footing, on roofs, in attics, in basements, in crawl spaces, at or near ceilings of tall buildings, and in confined spaces, and in areas where they will be exposed to unpleasant conditions. Requires exposure to areas containing fire hazards, and hazardous materials in controlled use or in storage. Incumbents must be able to drive to inspection and meeting sites during the course of work.