FIRE MARSHAL

JOB DESCRIPTION

CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL
FIRE DEPARTMENT

Human Resources Department
700 Town Center Drive, Suite 200

Newport News, VA 23606
NEWPORT NEWS, VA Phone: (757) 926-1800

CITY OF OPPORTUNITY Fax: (757) 926-1825

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under limited supervision, this position directs the operations and personnel of the Fire Marshal’s
office. Reports to the Fire Chief.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Oversees and supervises the work of the Fire Marshall’s Office to include prioritizing assignments,
tracking project status, staff organization and development, performance management, employee
relations and related activities. Assists senior management with development of departmental goals,
objectives, and procedures.

Researches, prepares and monitors the annual Fire Marshal’s Office operating budget; provides
oversight and maintains inventory of equipment; develops, disseminates, interprets, and implements
City and departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.

Ensures compliance with federal, state and City departmental rules, regulations, codes, and
ordinances relative to the function and operation of the Fire Marshal’s Office; may conduct or
coordinate internal and administrative investigations of incidents involving Fire Department
employees; and prepares annual, quarterly, and monthly statistical and activity fire inspection and
investigative reports as appropriate.

Coordinates and supervises the fire code enforcement program for the City; may inspect buildings
for fire hazards and general compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and NFPA
standards; assigns areas of inspection and responsibility to personnel; researches national and local
statistics and information, identifies trends, and implements or recommends prevention programs to
ensure compliance; interprets fire and building codes in response to inquiries from architects,
engineers, contractors and the general public; reviews plans, specifications, modification requests, and
other issues; and provides coordination and oversight for the Fire Code Enforcement Fee and False
Alarm billing processes.

Coordinates, supervises, or conducts investigations of suspicious or accidental fires, environmental
crimes, serious hazardous situations, and fire-related injuries and death to determine cause and
origin; documents field observations including photos of fire scene, interviewing witnesses, suspects,
and complainants; collects and preserves materials and evidence; maintains chain of custody and
requests laboratory analysis of materials; and analyzes data gathered from investigation. Responsible
for pursuing incidents involving potential civil or criminal liability to include determining motives,
suspects, and gathering and evaluating data, activity trends and other information.
Responsible for resolving citizen complaints; serves as a liaison with the Commonwealth’s Attorney
and with local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel and agencies.

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Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community
and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also
expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE 

Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement - Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and
practices of fire prevention including inspection, hazard types and causes, and elimination of
hazardous conditions. Comprehensive knowledge of fire suppression and emergency response
principles and practices to include fire behavior, strategy and tactics, and incident command
activities. Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and national codes, laws, and ordinances
relating to code enforcement. Comprehensive knowledge of building, electrical, and mechanical
codes to include principles and practices of building construction as it pertains to fire safety. 

Supervision – Knowledge of leadership techniques, principles and procedures to assign work,
schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff. 

Safety/Security – Knowledge of the proper use, storage, and handling of hazardous materials and
waste, and explosive materials and devices. Thorough knowledge of training philosophies and
techniques in relation to fire safety education. 

Customer Service – Thorough knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer
services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services and evaluation of
customer satisfaction.

REQUIRED SKILLS


Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships
with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations.
Shares knowledge with staff for mutual and departmental benefit. 

Judgment and Decision Making — Evaluates the best method of research and then exercises
appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considers the
relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

REQUIRED ABILITIES


Communication – Ability to communicate effectively, including the preparation of reports and
logs and the use of radio communications including appropriate channels and basic radio
communication codes. Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas
presented verbally and in writing. 

Coordination of Work - Ability to establish and implement effective administrative programs and
procedures. Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the
completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Performs a broad
range of supervisory responsibilities over others. 

Geography — Ability to read maps, basic plans and diagrams such as evacuation or building floor
plans. Ability to read and understand blueprints and building construction site plans pertaining
to fire safety.

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Accounting and Budgeting - Ability to perform arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications.
Ability to employ economic and accounting principles and practices in the analysis and reporting
of financial data.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Requires an Associate’s Degree in Public, Business, or Fire Administration, Criminal Justice,
Engineering, or other closely related field, and at least five years of extensive fire, code, or criminal
investigation experience, to include a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible supervisory
experience as an Assistant Fire Chief, Battalion Chief, Deputy Fire Marshal or Assistant Fire Marshal,
or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal
history check and sex offender registry check.

Requires satisfactory results from a medical evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing
and is subject to random controlled substance testing.

A valid Virginia’s driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Employees are required to
refrain from the use of tobacco.

Must meet all requirements to be designated the local Fire Official in accordance with the Code of
Virginia and established by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

This position requires being on-call, on a rotational basis, after normal work hours for emergency
recall, while on-call there is a 60-minute response requirement, utilizing non-emergency driving
methods.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort. 

Some combination of climbing and balancing to include climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling,
crouching, and crawling. 

Some lifting to include overhead lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy
objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS 

Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds,
odors, depth, textures, and visual cues or signals. 

Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

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Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such
as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, weather, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise
extremes, hazardous materials, fire, traffic hazards, toxic agents, explosives, firearms, violence,
disease or rude/irate persons.

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