University Fire Marshal

Arizona International; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 87,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reduction

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The University of Arizona seeks a University Fire Marshal to oversee and continually improve the fire protection program as the Fire Code Official on campus. This leadership role manages plan reviews, permitting, inspections, and fire safety education, guiding a team of fire code and permitting professionals.

Based in Tucson, this exempt, full-time position offers comprehensive benefits and a starting pay range of $86,870 to $112,932 per year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
• Three years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive per University Fleet Safety Policy.

Responsibilities

• Defines strategic vision and policy for fire protection and safety activities.
• Leads the Fire Prevention Division and collaborates with stakeholders.
• Reviews design drawings and permits for fire protection systems and witness testing as needed.
• Oversees inspection programs to ensure code compliance and timely corrective actions.
• Provides fire protection/life safety education and outreach to faculty, staff, and students.

Skills

Fire protection knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Position Highlights

The University Fire Marshal is responsible for overseeing, implementing, assessing, and continuously improving the fire protection program at the University of Arizona. This role acts as the university's Fire Code Official/Authority Having Jurisdiction, and thus oversees plan reviews and permitting, manages and participates in the fire code compliance inspection program, manages and participates in the fire safety educational program, leads a team of fire code and permitting professionals, and fulfills all other requirements of the fire code official as determined by a letter of appointment from the Arizona State Office of Forestry and Fire Management.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

Fire Prevention Division Management

• Defines and articulates strategic vision, goals, and develops fire protection management related policy, services and functions that include analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of facility safety and fire protection activities.
• Promoting recognition and understanding of the Fire Prevention program by developing and building its public image.
• Leads professional staff and collaborates with facility and operational management, local fire authorities, and institutional leadership in planning and fire code compliance activities.
• Oversees performance, training and operational priorities to maintain readiness and effectiveness.

Fire Permitting Program

• Acts as a fire code official and reviews and approves design drawings and acceptance test plans and provides guidance by witness acceptance testing for fire protection systems.
• Maintains a highly advanced understanding and application of fire protection principles, including fire protection engineering.
• Provides guidance and direction permitting and reviewing requirements, as well as in resolving identified deficiencies.
• Ensures timely and efficient issuance of permits to facilitate project initiation while ensuring code compliance is met.
• Oversees the permitting workflows and billing to ensure accurate calculation, approval, and documentation of project fees.

Code Compliance Program

• Acts as lead inspector and reviewer for building code compliance inspection program, including existing buildings, renovations, new construction, and large events (including preparatory/planning with emergency responders and stakeholders).
• Ensures clear, consistent, and correct interpretation of fire code in inspection reports.
• Reviews reports for trends is involved in setting and ensuring corrective actions are completed within appropriate time frames.
• Issues formal code interpretations and Notices of Violation (NOV), including ensuring corrective actions are met, as required.

Fire Code Education Program

• Provides fire protection/life safety outreach to improve awareness and collaboration.
• Sets content priorities and directs the creation of training materials and courses to ensure faculty, students, staff, and visitors are aware of code requirements and institutional policies and procedures regarding fire protection and life safety.
• Collaborates with university units to provide in-service training, support for fire drills and exercises, and supports any unique fire education needs required.

Additional AHJ Duties

• Directs the investigation of fires or collaborate with certified investigators to review fires at university properties and ensure any required corrective actions are completed.
• Provides on-site support for select university events (Tucson Festival of Books, Bonfires, Commencement, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge in operating facilities having hazardous materials, research and development laboratories (wet chemistry, laser, material science, physics, etc.), radiological laboratories, educational settings, assembly and business occupancies.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Three (3) years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) in Fire Protection.
• Master's Degree in Fire Sciences, Fire Protection, another Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) approved degree program, or a degree in a related area.
• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience.
• ICC Certified Fire Marshal or Certified Building Official.
• ICC Certified Fire Plans Examiner.
• AZ State/ICC/NFPA Fire Inspector I.

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Protection and Safety

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

$86,870 - $112,932

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade

11

Compensation Guidance

The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level

M1

Job Family

Environmental Health & Safety

Job Function

Protection & Safety

Type of criminal background check required:

Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)

Number of Vacancies

1

Target Hire Date

12/7/2026

Contact Information for Candidates

[e-mail]

Open Date

10/7/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume and Cover Letter

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].