• The Final Filing Date has changed.

Final Filing Date: 12/2/2024.

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 III (Specialist) - Open

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the start of the examination, unless otherwise noted.

• 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 and Fire Protection
  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 and Fire Protection
  Examination Unit
  710 Riverpoint Ct.
  West Sacramento, CA 95605
  8:30 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.) Candidates that wish to apply unplanned overtime hours towards the experience requirements outlined in the Minimum Qualifications section of this bulletin, MUST complete the Unplanned Overtime (OT) Questionnaire. Please copy and paste this URL into your web browser to access this form: 
https://www.fire.ca.gov/-/media/36B2F1AA2D7F4FA281AAEC6E0FA7F827

4.) If you are using education to meet the Minimum Qualifications under Pattern II, please attach a copy of your diploma and/or transcripts showing proof of coursework/completion/graduation to your application packet.

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 - Training and Experience Narrative (T&E)

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.

Either I

Two years of experience performing the duties of a Deputy State Fire Marshal, Range B in the California state service.

Or II

Experience: Five years of experience in any one or a combination of the following:

1. In fire prevention work in a public fire prevention bureau, unit or agency; or

2. In fire prevention or industrial safety engineering in private industry; or

3. In building inspection work in a public bureau, unit or agency.

(College training may be substituted for the experience on the basis of two years of college being equivalent to one year of experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

FELONY DISQUALIFICATION

Existing law provides that persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.

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 NARRATIVE - WEIGHTED AT 100%

In this type of exam, the TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE NARRATIVE DOCUMENT is the examination. It is imperative you refer to the knowledge, skills, and abilities when responding to the questions below.

A TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE NARRATIVE IS A WRITTEN DOCUMENT THAT RESPONDS TO THE QUESTIONS BELOW.

1. Explain in detail at least two specific examples of where the delegation of authority for any Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, or Fire Inspector comes from to enforce building standards related to fire and panic safety.

2. Describe at least five steps in the California Rulemaking Process.

3. List at least six items that must be inspected throughout the installation process of a commercial automatic fire sprinkler system.

4. Describe at least two differences between the Fire Service Training Education Program (FSTEP) and California Fire Service Training and Education System (CFSTES).

5. Describe at least three items that must be listed by the State Fire Marshal for sale in the state of California.

When preparing your Training and Experience Narrative; follow the instructions below:

• Please use Arial font, size no smaller than 10.

• Limit your responses to no more than a total of five (5) pages (Only the first five 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.

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. Potential work hazards encountered during the performance of their duties (e.g., construction zones, special events, firework displays, fire line, site visits) and the selection of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for personal and public safety.
2. Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure that written materials are complete, concise, and error-free for effective performance and communication.
3. Inspection methods performed by the State Fire Marshal to ensure code compliance.
4. Building occupancy classifications (e.g., prisons, high rises, hospitals) to understand the emergency response capability for panic, fire prevention engineering, education, and enforcement issues.
5. Occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions involved in construction, fire investigations, rescue and evacuation procedures, site inspections, and basic emergency medical operations to ensure public safety.
6. Fire prevention and protection principles related to building construction and maintenance to meet code compliance.
7. Fire behavior, building construction, products, safety issues, and regulation development to ensure code compliance.
8. The fundamentals of fire prevention engineering, education, and enforcement to provide technical expertise to industry specialists (e.g., architects, engineers, contractors, stakeholders) regarding application of codes to ensure compliance with regulations.
9. The Office of the State Fire Marshal mission and strategies to protect life and property through the application of fire prevention engineering, education, and enforcement.
10. All elements of public fireworks display (e.g., product knowledge, safety procedures, fall out zone) for enforcement.
11. Fire behavior to evaluate building construction, products, and safety issues to ensure code compliance.
12. Industry standards of fire protection systems for fire prevention and suppression.
13. Building industry practices to read and understand construction documents.
14. Federal and State and anti-discrimination laws to ensure compliance with the Equal Employment Office on lawful employment practices.
15. Nationally recognized standards, associations, regulations, and laws relating to the certification, licensing, and maintenance of products, fire protection systems, and equipment to develop regulations and ensure compliance.
16. Nationally recognized standards, regulations, accredited bodies, and/or laws relating to the application of fire prevention engineering, education, and enforcement to develop regulations and ensure compliance.
17. Department policies and procedures on communication (e.g., media, social media, public relation requests) to ensure compliance.
18. Department’s safety procedures and programs (e.g., Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Violence in the Workplace, Workers’ Compensation Program) to achieve workplace safety.
19. The various types of records and documents (e.g., inspection notices, curriculum, building inventories, official decisions, licenses, certifications) to understand required documentation and the statutory requirements for a records retention program.
20. Education, engineering, technical terminology, and principles for proper application to the job.
21. Modern fire protection principles and practices to evaluate alternative means, materials, and methods requests (e.g., building construction, fire equipment products, training) to ensure compliance and public safety standards.
22. The requirements for submitting applications (e.g., plan review, licenses, code interpretations, accredited academies) to ensure compliance with laws and regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal.
23. Applicable codes, standards, Department policies and procedures, and jurisdictional requirements for managing and resolving complaints for investigations and inspections.
24. Publications, listing guides, codes and standards, and technical references for an effective job performance.
25. Fire behavior to determine origin and cause.
26. Peace officer responsibilities (e.g., warrants, citations) to ensure public safety.
27. Other Government agencies (e.g., Office of Emergency Services, Division of State Architect, Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development) and private organizations [e.g., National Fire Protection Association, UL (Underwriters Laboratory), Factory Mutual] responsible for codes, standards, and regulations related to fire prevention engineering, education, and enforcement.
28. The Incident Command System to apply to hazard risks that involve incidents (e.g., fire, floods, hazardous material) for the protection of life and property.
29. Permit, licenses, certification issuance, suspension and revocation requirements using applicable codes and standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal to ensure compliance.
30. Approved testing laboratories that conduct tests and examinations on equipment (e.g., fire alarm devices, construction materials, fire sprinkler systems) to understand the need for accuracy and laboratory dependability.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the DEPUTY STATE FIRE MARSHAL III (Specialist) 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.