Final Filing Date: 11/20/2024.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

If using the United States Postal Service (USPS) for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark and arrives after the final filing date, your application may not be accepted into the examination. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the final filing date.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• DEPUTY STATE FIRE MARSHAL - Open

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date, November 20, 2024, to be considered for this administration.

• Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months. 
• Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  Attention: Examination Unit
  710 Riverpoint Ct.
  West Sacramento, CA 95605
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  Attention: Examination Unit
  710 Riverpoint Ct.
  West Sacramento, CA 95605
  8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Please note the following:

1.) A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

2.) All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. Applications received without this information may be rejected.

3.) A copy of your unofficial transcripts and/or diploma showing proof of coursework/completion/graduation is required ONLY IF you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications (Pattern II or III). 

4.) A Training and Experience (T&E) Narrative document is also REQUIRED and must be submitted with your STD 678. See instructions below under "Examination Information" to complete this document. 

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

The following items must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application form. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application.

• Other - T&E Narrative REQUIRED with application submission.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

EITHER I

Experience: One year of experience in the California State Fire Marshal's Office performing the duties of a State Fire Marshal Trainee assigned to Field Operations.

OR II

Experience: Either 

One year of fire prevention experience performing technical fire prevention inspections, building inspections, fire prevention engineering, or fire investigation. OR 

Two years of experience performing fire suppression in a fire department. AND

Education: Successful completion of 15 units of Fire Technology courses from an accredited college or equivalent units from an institution approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310(b) (units may be challenged by State Board of Fire Services Certified courses). (Two years of additional qualifying experience may be substituted for this education requirement.)

OR III

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with major work in fire protection engineering, fire service administration, fire protection administration and technology, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics or architecture. (Senior students in a recognized institution will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants who do not possess a valid California driver’s license will be admitted into the exam, but must have a license by the time of appointment.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (T&E) NARRATIVE - WEIGHTED 100%

In this type of examination the T&E Narrative document IS THE EXAMINATION. 

The T&E Narrative is a written document that responds to the questions listed below. 

An evaluation of the Narrative documents will be conducted by a rating panel consisting of CAL FIRE subject matter experts (SMEs) (in December 2024/January 2025). The rating panel will compare each candidates' Narrative responses against standardized, pre-determined rating criteria. The examination questions below were derived from the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) listed in this bulletin and the classification specification.

When preparing your T&E Narrative document please respond to the following four (4) examination questions:

1. Describe at least four statutes, regulations and/or standards that you would reference when conducting a routine fire and life safety inspection.
2. You have been confronted on a job site by an irate contractor who failed an inspection earlier that week. Give at least five examples of how you would deal with this situation.
3. Describe in detail at least four divisions of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
4. While managing a full workload, you have been delegated a new project with a close deadline. Describe at least four steps in how you would handle this situation.

In addition to responding to the questions above, your T&E Narrative document MUST follow the instructions listed below. Failure to follow these instructions may result in disqualification from the testing process: 

• Please use Arial font, size no smaller than 12.
• Limit your responses to no more than a total of four (4) pages (Only the first four pages will be scored).
• Your document MUST be typewritten (NO handwritten narratives).
• Please clearly label the number that corresponds to the question to which you are responding.
• You may include multiple responses on a single page.
• Please place your name on each page of your narrative.

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT A NARRATIVE DOCUMENT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. 

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of: 

1. Laws, codes, and regulations (e.g., California Health and Safety Code, California Code of Regulations, Titles 19 and 24) to effectively carry out the responsibilities of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
2. General fire prevention practices and procedures to ensure fire and life safety.
3. The California-adopted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards (e.g., NFPA 13, 14, 17, 20, 24, 25, 72, 2001) to ensure compliance with the installation, operation, and maintenance of fire protection systems.
4. Health and safety hazards (e.g., construction sites, detention facilities, hazardous materials, environmental factors) encountered during the performance of duties to ensure personal safety.
5. Time management techniques to efficiently organize and prioritize workload and scheduling.
6. The mission, vision, and values of the Department in order to meet Department goals.
7. Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure that written materials are complete, concise, and error-free.
8. Building construction (e.g., types of construction, methods, materials, systems) to conduct required plan review and inspections.
9. Construction and engineering terminology to ensure accurate interpretation of subject matter.
10. Computer software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, database programs, presentation, e-mail) to compile data for reporting and communication purposes.
11. Basic techniques and methods of team building and leadership to facilitate team efficiency and collaborative tasks.
12. Techniques used for public education and information dissemination (e.g., public speaking, presentation software).
13. Customer service techniques for tactful communications with the public and stakeholders.

Skill to:

1. Observe the environment and exercise situational awareness (e.g., construction sites, detention centers, incidents, travel) to ensure personal safety.
2. Utilize computer and mobile equipment technologies (e.g., laptop, tablet, mobile phone) and related software to produce reports and/or correspondence.

Ability to:

1. Read and write English to effectively apply laws, rules, regulations, and policies relating to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
2. Work independently with minimal supervision in order to complete work assignments.
3. Act in a professional manner as a representative of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
4. Exercise situational awareness (e.g., construction sites, detention centers, incidents, travel) to ensure personal safety.
5. Manage time and deadlines to efficiently organize and prioritize workload and scheduling.
6. Comply with Department policies and expectations.
7. Effectively communicate in order to convey clear and concise ideas and information to various audiences (e.g., government officials, stakeholders, contractors, building representatives, customers, general public).
8. Comprehend State laws, rules, regulations, and policies relating to the Office of the State Fire Marshal to ensure compliance.
9. Address and resolve conflicts tactfully in order to meet demands of the job while dealing with various issues that may arise (e.g., inspections, plan review, enforcement).
10. Assert yourself on behalf of the Department to ensure enforcement of, and compliance with, State laws, regulations, codes, and standards.
11. Research State laws, rules, regulations, and policies relating to the Office of the State Fire Marshal to meet training outcomes.
12. Work irregular hours, including weekends and holidays.
13. Travel to conduct State business.
14. Create and maintain logs, reports, and files to ensure accurate documentation.
15. Effectively communicate under stressful situations (e.g., scene of an incident, court appearances, media).
16. Analyze situations and reason logically in order to recommend an effective course of action.
17. Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously to meet projected goals.
18. Utilize computer and mobile equipment technologies (e.g., laptop, tablet, mobile phone) and related software to produce reports and/or correspondence.
19. Remain on duty for extended periods of time, as necessary, or as emergency circumstances arise.
20. Sit for long periods of time to conduct State business.
21. Stand for several hours to participate with inspections and investigations.
22. Walk on uneven ground to access inspection sites and events.
23. Read and write legal and technical language to communicate laws, rules, regulations, and policies relating to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
24. Interpret and explain complicated information (e.g., codes, regulations, rules, Department policies and procedures) in simple, understandable language to ensure comprehension.
25. Interpret applicable codes, laws, rules, and regulations (e.g., State Administrative Manual, Health and Safety Code, Title 19, Title 24) for application in all Department programs and activities.
26. Think spatially and three-dimensionally in order to review building plans and specifications.
27. Demonstrate leadership under stressful conditions to effectively coordinate both emergency and non-emergency situations.
28. Select the appropriate tool or tools (e.g., certified weight scale, architectural scale, flashlight) to perform a specific job task.
29. Effectively coordinate the work of others to meet goals and objectives.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the DEPUTY STATE FIRE MARSHAL Classification will be established for:

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9570 ext. Option 3
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Forestry & Fire Protection reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.