Deputy Fire Marshal (Promotional Opportunity)
Salary
$112,500.00 - $169,152.00 Annually
Location
City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type
Regular Full-Time
Job Number
27-002
Department
Fire
Opening Date
07/09/2026
Closing Date
7/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The Position
The current vacancy is for Deputy Fire Marshal in the Fire Department. This promotional recruitment is open to current regular City of Santa Cruz employees in the classified service only. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Under direction, the Deputy Fire Marshal assists in the enforcement of local, state, and federal regulations and laws relating to life safety and fire prevention which includes: reviewing complex plans and specifications for new buildings and fire protection systems; investigating fires as to cause and origin; conducting fire prevention inspections of residential and commercial structures; supervising fire inspection staff; and educating the public in fire prevention and fire inspection. Performs other related duties as required.
Recruitment #27-002
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
On Thursday, 07/23/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application to receive credit.
Week of 07/27/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for the position and applicants notified of their status in the recruitment by 07/29/26.
Week of 08/03/26: Qualified candidates who have successfully passed the application process will be invited to participate in an oral examination to be held the week of 08/03/26. This oral examination will consist of two components:
Responses to the scenario-based exercise and structured oral interview will be evaluated by the panel and combined into one overall oral examination score. Candidates receiving a passing score of 70% or higher on the oral examination will be placed on the eligible list in ranked order. Candidates with failing scores lower than 70% will not be placed on the eligible list.
Chiefs interview: The highest-ranked candidates may be invited to participate in a Chiefs interview with the Fire Chief and Division Chief of Prevention.
Basic Function
Under direction, assists in the enforcement of local, state, and federal regulations and laws relating to life safety and fire prevention which includes: reviewing complex plans and specifications for new buildings and fire protection systems; investigating fires as to cause and origin; conducting fire prevention inspections of residential and commercial structures; supervising fire inspection staff; and educating the public in fire prevention and fire inspection. Performs other related duties as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This sworn classification performs independent and responsible work in promoting and insuring life safety and fire prevention through inspection, education, and enforcement. The incumbent supervises and trains the Fire Prevention Inspector classification and advises other Fire Department staff engaged in inspection and prevention activities. This classification is distinguished from the Fire Division Chief-Prevention classification in that the latter is the manager of the fire prevention/inspection program and has major administrative responsibilities.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below):
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when assessing emergency situations, performing inspections and reading documents. This position requires the ability to effectively communicate orally and acute hearing to communicate in both emergency and non-emergency situations. This position requires the ability to smell in order to detect odors, such as smoke, gases and other odors that could indicate harmful or dangerous environments. The need to lift, carry, drag and push tools, equipment, supplies, victims and patients weighing up to 165 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this position may be exposed to a variety of working conditions, including wet, heat and cold and may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. This position may be exposed to loud noises such as helicopters, fire engines and chainsaws. The nature of the work may require the incumbent to climb ladders, work in confined spaces and wear a breathing apparatus and/or protective clothing. The incumbent may be required to respond to after hour emergency calls. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:
OR
OR
Knowledge:
Abilities:
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Training
Licenses and Certificates:
On-Call Fire Investigator Response Time
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Career Ladder
SALARY - The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website City of Santa Cruz MOUs, Salaries, & Benefits . See the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING on the City website for further details on pay rates and practices.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to Firefighter bargaining unit positions are subject to a twelve-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVE
40 hr Employee
Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.
Sick - 8 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program.
Holidays - up to 11 days/year, plus 3 floating holidays
56 hr Employees
Vacation - 12 hours/month up to 5 years, 18 hours per month 6-10 years, plus 1 hour per month for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 24 hours/month.
Sick - 12 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program.
Holidays - 192 hours/year
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)
Medical - Minimal cost to the employee depending on plan selected; participating members make an additional $48 contribution per pay period to health care benefits.
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage.
Life - City provides a $30,000 life insurance policy.
Long Term Disability - City pays 80% of premium for long term disability plan.
BILINGUAL PAY
The City shall provide a monthly allowance of 5% of base pay for bilingual speaking skills, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Fire and the approval of the Director of the Human Resources Department.
RETIREMENT
All new regular employees become members of Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2.7% @ 57 plan (3 year average final compensation). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 15.75% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis per MOU agreement. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Accident Protection Insurance
Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance
Direct Deposit
Education Incentive
Discount Bus Pass Program
Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care
Longevity Pay (after 6 years, 15 years, 20 years and 22 years)
In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month
Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Uniforms provided & maintained
01
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: The following supplemental questions are designed to obtain specific information regarding your work experience. Please answer each question as thoroughly as possible, as your responses will be utilized to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. For applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, these responses may also be used as an evaluation tool in later stages of the competitive process to determine which applicants will be invited to continue in the examination process. All experience described here must correspond to employers listed in the Work Experience section of your application to receive credit. Please refrain from using AI or computer-generated responses. Applicants are responsible to clearly, completely, and accurately describe their qualifications. You may attach a resume, but this cannot be used in lieu of completing an application. Failure to complete all required questions and/or providing incomplete responses may result in an incomplete application. Do not answer any question with "see resume" and if you do not have any experience and/or education in a given area, please write "N/A."
02
This recruitment is only open to current regular City of Santa Cruz employees in the classified service. I fulfill this requirement:
03
This position requires possession and continued maintenance of a valid California drivers license and a safe driving record.
04
Please select from the following choices regarding your qualifying college degree(s) and/or coursework. This must be reflected in the Education section of your application to receive credit. Please be prepared to provide proof of degree or coursework upon request at any time.
05
Please select the option that best describes your years of experience in paid, full-time status with a Fire Department in a Safety capacity. The experience selected here must be reflected in the Work Experience portion of your application in order to receive credit.
06
Based on your answer to the above question, describe how you have obtained your experience in a paid, full-time status with a Fire Department in a Safety capacity.
07
The following licenses, certifications, or completion of training courses are required by the end of the probationary period. Completion of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified training course in accordance with Penal Code Section 832. California State Fire Marshal Fire Prevention 1A and 1B; or Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, and 1C; or Fire Inspector 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. * Possession and continued maintenance of a valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate or State of California Paramedic license.
08
Completion of the following California State Fire Training courses or their equivalent is required within two years of appointment: Fire Investigation 1A Fire Investigation 1B * Fire Investigation 1C.
09
Desirable Qualifications: The items listed below are desirable qualifications and are not requirements to qualify for this position. Check all that apply. Please scan and attach proof of any certifications selected.
Required Question
Employer City of Santa Cruz
Address 809 Center St.
Room 6
Santa Cruz, California, 95060
Phone 831-420-5040
Website http://www.cityofsantacruz.com