The Cambria Community Services District is accepting applications for a Fire Marshal. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

About the Position

Under the general direction of the Fire Chief, plans, organizes, administers, and performs the Department's fire prevention and community risk reduction functions. Leads WUI risk reduction, defensible-space and vegetation-management inspections, weed-abatement compliance, business and occupancy inspections, evacuation preparedness, public education, fire investigation, and related code-enforcement activities. Develops inspection and reporting procedures, coordinates with partner agencies, and evaluates compliance and risk-reduction results. Assists the Fire Chief with Department administration and serves in designated acting Fire Chief, Fire Captain, incident-command, and emergency-management assignments within established qualifications and delegated authority.

Supervision: Receives general direction from the Fire Chief. Directs assigned fire prevention activities and supervises assigned personnel during designated supervisory or acting assignments.

Appointment: The initial appointment is a limited-term appointment, as specified in the District's appointment authorization and applicable personnel requirements.

To review the position description, please click the link below.

Fire Marshal Position Description

About the Federal Emergency Management Agency Grant Award

Under the direction of the General Manager, the Cambria Fire Department staff submitted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant application, which was approved on September 22, 2026, awarding up to $458,203.80 to fund one Fire Marshal position over a two-year period, with the program scheduled to begin within six months of grant acceptance. On October 8, 2026, the CCSD Board of Directors accepted the grant.

The proposed Limited-Term Fire Marshal/WUI Fire Prevention Officer will provide Cambria Fire with dedicated professional capacity to move the District from primarily complaint- and incident-driven fire prevention activities to a proactive, documented, and measurable prevention program. Over the 24-month grant period, the position will conduct and coordinate priority WUI parcel inspections, including large and merged lots; perform defensible-space and vegetation-management inspections and required follow-up/re-inspections; oversee weed-abatement compliance; conduct required business and occupancy fire and life-safety inspections; identify and document fire code violations; and work directly with property owners and businesses to achieve corrective action. The position will also strengthen community evacuation preparedness by developing standardized evacuation and fire-safety information for hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and other transient occupancies, while expanding public education on defensible space, home hardening, vegetation management, fire code requirements, and WUI preparedness. Importantly, grant funding will allow the District to establish standardized inspection procedures, compliance tracking, performance measures, educational materials, and reporting systems that do not currently exist at this level.

At the conclusion of the grant period, Cambria Fire will retain a structured, repeatable fire-prevention framework that can be incorporated into ongoing Department operations, providing a lasting public-safety benefit beyond the term of the FP&S grant.

Unless additional funding becomes available at the end of the two-year period, the FEMA-funded Fire Marshal position will end. 

Minimum Requirements

• Possess and maintain a valid California driver's license, satisfactory driving record, and proof of insurance; obtain and maintain the license class and endorsements required for any assigned apparatus.
• Possess California OSFM Fire Fighter 1, Fire Fighter 2, Fire Inspector 1, and Fire Inspector 2 certifications, or documented equivalent qualifications accepted by the District for assigned operational duties.
• Possess and maintain a valid California EMT certification or paramedic license and current healthcare-provider CPR certification.
• Possess hazardous-materials first-responder operational training and incident-command qualifications appropriate to assigned duties.
• Meet and maintain Department company-officer, acting Chief, medical, and operational qualification requirements before undertaking the applicable assignment.

Knowledge

• Fire and life-safety codes, WUI requirements, defensible space, vegetation management, home hardening, occupancy hazards, and fire-protection systems.
• Inspection, plan-review, complaint investigation, correction, abatement, evidence, and recordkeeping procedures.
• Fire investigation principles; fire, EMS, rescue, and incident-command practices; emergency planning and evacuation coordination.
• Personnel supervision, work planning, public education, program evaluation, budget administration, and effective public-agency communication.

Abilities

• Apply codes within jurisdiction; read plans; perform accurate inspections; document defensible findings; and resolve compliance issues professionally.
• Manage concurrent field, administrative, and operational responsibilities; exercise sound judgment; supervise assigned personnel; and recognize limits of authority.
• Use records, office applications, and GIS; track compliance and outcomes; prepare clear reports; and make effective public presentations.
• Work respectfully with residents, businesses, developers, agencies, and people with varied language, cultural, and accessibility needs.

Required Post-Appointment Coursework

Within six months of appointment, successfully complete the following OSFM/SFT Fire Marshal courses under the 2024 curriculum, or documented SFT-recognized equivalent coursework:

• Fire Marshal 1A: Administration and Professional Development
• Fire Marshal 1B: Community Risk Reduction Planning and Management
• Fire Marshal 1C: Fire Investigation Program Management
• Fire Marshal 1D: Regulatory Program Management

Within twelve months of appointment, successfully complete the following OSFM/SFT Fire Officer 3 courses under the 2020 curriculum, or documented SFT-recognized equivalents to the former Chief Fire Officer coursework:

• Fire Officer 3A: Human Resource Management
• Fire Officer 3B: Finance and Administration
• Fire Officer 3C: Command of Expanding Incidents

These deadlines concern successful course completion. Full State certification remains subject to applicable experience, prerequisites, task books, and other certification requirements. Verified prior course credit may satisfy the applicable coursework requirement.

Desirable Licenses, Certifications & Qualifications

• Associate or higher degree in fire science, fire protection, public administration, or a related field.
• OSFM Fire Marshal, Fire Officer 2 or Company Officer, Fire Officer 3 or Chief Fire Officer, Fire Inspector, Fire Plans Examiner, Fire Investigator, or Fire Instructor certification.
• Advanced WUI, community risk reduction, code-enforcement, program-evaluation, public-information, or emergency-management training.
• Bilingual communication skills and experience working with diverse communities, lodging operators, and community preparedness partners.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Work includes office duties, driving, outdoor inspections on uneven or steep terrain, construction and fire scenes, public meetings, and assigned emergency operations. Exposure may include weather, smoke, hazardous environments, and confrontational situations. The employee must perform essential field and assigned operational functions, use required protective equipment and SCBA when applicable, and safely carry or handle equipment associated with those assignments, with or without reasonable accommodation. Evening, weekend, and emergency callback duties may be required.

Workday and Workweek

Employees work a 9/80 work schedule, Monday through Friday, consisting of eight nine-hour days, one
eight-hour day, and one Friday day off spread over a two-workweek period.

Benefits Overview

Annual Salary: $144,912 to $176,142 annually (effective January 18, 2027)

Deferred Compensation 457 Match: The District offers a Deferred Compensation 457 matching monthly contribution of $100 biweekly.

The District offers a 457(b) deferred compensation plan to eligible employees as part of their employee benefits and offers a 401(a) deferred compensation plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax contributions for tax-deferral purposes. While the employee can adjust individual contributions to their 457(b) deferred compensation plan, the District, as the employer, must specify the amount employees must contribute to their 401(a) deferred compensation plan, should the employee choose to participate.

Retirement (CalPERS)

The CCSD provides a Retirement Program for all regular employees working half-time or more. The Retirement Program may be provided through a contract with the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), as is currently provided. It may be integrated with the Federal Social Security Program, as is currently provided. The CCSD shall provide the PERS 3% @ 50 safety retirement plan for covered employees, including the single highest year computation, for all employees hired before December 28, 2012. All covered employees hired on or after December 28, 2012, who are not defined as “new members” under the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (“PEPRA”) will be covered by the 3% @ 55 retirement formula and the 36 highest consecutive months’ final compensation provision. All covered employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, and who are defined as “new members” under PEPRA will be covered by the 2.7% @ 57 retirement formula and the 36 highest consecutive months’ final compensation provision.

The current employee share contribution to the CalPERS Retirement Program is 9% of wages and is
subject to change. Safety employees currently pay the entire 9% employee portion of the CalPERS retirement contributions.

The employee’s share of mandated Social Security contributions is paid 100% by the employee, by payroll
deduction. The employer’s share of mandated Social Security contributions is paid 100% by the employer.

Health & Dental Insurance

• The District pays 85% of premiums for employees and dependents under the lowest-cost PERS health plan.
• The District pays 90% of the dental premiums currently in effect for employee & dependent coverage
  for the lowest cost plan available to district employees.
• Employees who choose higher-cost plans pay the difference.

Health Care Reimbursement

• Probationary employees shall become eligible for this benefit upon successful completion of twelve (12) months of service. The benefit is prorated for new employees and is not retroactive. Employer contributions are $50 per pay period for the remaining periods in the calendar year after passing probation.

Life Insurance

• A Group Life Insurance Plan will be provided for all regular employees working half-time or more with a $25,000 life insurance policy for each full-time employee, a $1,000 policy for each employee’s spouse, and a $1,000 policy for each employee dependent under the age of 21. The District will pay the full monthly premium for each unit member, spouse, and dependent children.

Vacation Leave:

• Accrue 3.08 hours biweekly (80 hours per year) 

Sick Leave:

• Accrue 3.70 hours biweekly (96 hours per year)

Holiday Leave:

• 12 paid holidays per year. In lieu of Lincoln’s Birthday, Admissions Day, and a half-day for Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve, twenty (20) hours of holiday time shall be provided to each employee employed by the District on July 1 of each fiscal year, provided the employee was employed by the District on or
  before the previous January 1.

Administrative Leave:

• Ten (10) days of Administrative Leave shall be provided for each Management and Confidential Employee annually; forty (40) hours every July 1 and January 1. Unused Administrative Leave shall be paid off in June of each year.

Phone and Internet Allowance

The General Manager is authorized to provide a monthly allowance up to $100.

Application Process

Electronic submittals are strongly preferred and should be directed to administration@cambriacsd.org and include the following: completed application, cover letter, resume, and proof of minimum requirements. All applicants will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified for the position on the basis of experience, training, and education as submitted will move forward in the hiring process. The candidate who has completed all prior phases of the hiring process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.