Deputy Fire Marshall

Water Resources Office; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 37,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Department of Justice in Great Falls seeks a Deputy Fire Marshal to conduct professional fire investigations and inspections, enforce fire codes, and support public safety initiatives.

The role requires knowledge of state laws, NFPA standards, and the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders. The position includes field work, report writing, and collaboration with local agencies.

Qualifications

• Must be qualified by experience, training, and professional competence in fire service and safety.
• Degree in fire-protection engineering or related field, and two years’ experience in fire protection or ICC Fire Inspector I or II certification.
• Knowledge of Montana Code Annotated and NFPA Fire Codes; fire behavior; firefighting techniques; interview and investigative methods; criminal investigation procedures; arson prosecution.
• Ability to inspect building codes and life safety systems; review construction plans; interpret blueprints.

Skills

Fire investigation equipment

Investigation tools

Training equipment

Office software

Education

Fire-Protection engineering degree / related

ICC Fire Inspector I or II certification

Tools

Volt-Ohm meter

Electric circuit tester

Pitot tube

Canned smoke

Video camera

Video cassette recorder

Overhead projector

PowerPoint

4x4 vehicle

Microsoft Office

Fire-related software

PPE

Job description

Deputy Fire Marshall (26142391)

Job Description - Deputy Fire Marshall (26142391)

Position Title:

Deputy Fire Marshall - ( 26142391 )

Division Overview

Montana’s Division of Criminal Investigation is a diverse public safety team of professionals who provide a full range of criminal investigative services to state, local, and tribal law enforcement. From homicide investigations to illegal narcotics, criminal records, cybercrime, human trafficking, missing persons, or through training and certifying public safety officers, DCI serves as the hub in providing critical law enforcement support. Our diverse customer base includes protecting our vulnerable population, managing the sexual and violent offender registry, serving as the hub of communication for criminal justice information networks and the storage of criminal records, conducting arson investigations, as well as providing intelligence analysis support for local law enforcement. Many of our positions within DCI go without public recognition but remain the lifeline of support for public safety. With a doctrine of service, honor, and justice, this statewide organization provides the best in critical, accurate, and timely service to protect our citizens.

Job Overview

The Fire Prevention and Investigation Section provides statewide fire prevention and investigation services to nearly 400 fire agencies, 56 county sheriff's departments, more than 60 city police departments, and numerous other state and federal agencies. The section assists with adoption of fire safety regulations, inspection of public buildings, establishment and promotion of fire prevention programs, approval of local inspection programs, and the investigation of fires to determine origin and cause. The section also manages and maintains the records of all fires that occur within the state; provides training to local public safety agencies; and assists in homeland security training and planning.

The Deputy State Fire Marshal supports the overall section goals and objectives by performing professional investigative and inspection duties in order to enforce laws, codes, rules, and regulations enacted by the State of Montana in relation to fire safety. The position reports directly to the State Fire Marshal and serves as a spokesperson for the section when communicating through prepared letters, telephone, and personal discussions with the general public; building industry; law enforcement; fire service agencies; and local, state, and federal government officials.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be qualified by experience, training, and professional competence in matters of fire service and safety, as required by 2-15-2005, MCA, and ARM 23-12-405.
• Degree in fire-protection engineering or related field from a recognized institution of higher education and two years’ experience in fire protection or be ICC Fire Inspector I or Fire Inspector II certified.

Knowledge

For fire investigations, the Deputy requires knowledge of the relevant Montana Code Annotated; National Fire Protection Association Fire Codes; fire behavior in structures, automobiles, and wild lands; firefighting techniques; behavior of electricity, LPG gas, and natural gas as it relates to fire; specialized investigative devices and equipment related to fire investigation; interview and investigative methods and techniques used in fire investigation; criminal investigation procedures; procedures used for collection and preservation of evidence; and legal proceedings relating to arson prosecution. For building inspection and construction plan review activities, the Deputy requires knowledge of the standards pertaining to fire/life safety inspections; Building Codes; building construction processes and practices; installation and operation of fire alarm systems; installation and operation of smoke detection systems; installation and operation of automatic extinguishing systems; and blueprint interpretation.

Skills

• Various fire-related equipment used in on-sight fire investigations, hydrocarbon detectors, fire investigation kits, hand tools, fire department equipment, ladders, shovels, sifting screens, measuring devices, video cameras, and digital cameras. Must also be able to direct heavy equipment operators to remove large structural assemblies and assist with rigging chains and cables in appropriate locations to remove such assemblies. Voice recorders and transcription equipment are used for interviews.
• Equipment related to the different inspection duties performed by Deputies including a volt-ohmmeter multi tester, an electric circuit tester, a pitot tube, and canned smoke.
• Equipment needed to train/educate, such as a video camera, video cassette recorder, overhead projector, and PowerPoint projector.
• 4X4 standard shift vehicle use in off-road conditions; standard office equipment; personal computer equipment; standard computer software to include Microsoft Office programs; fire-related software; personal protection equipment.

Special Instructions

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the résumé, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Benefits

• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

$32.95 - $32.95 Hourly Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 50 % of the Time

Primary Location

Great Falls

Other Locations

Malta, Lewistown, Havre

Agency

Department of Justice

Union

000 - None

Posting Date

Nov 12, 2026, 3:30:09 PM

Closing Date

Ongoing

Required Application Materials

Resume

Contact Name

Rebecca Tatafu

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Contact Phone

406-444-5528

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.