Become a Fire Prevention Specialist I

  • Entry Level
  • Supervisory
  • Full Time
  • Seasonal
  • Benefits Eligible

The Fire Prevention Specialist series describes positions engaged in fire prevention information, inspection, education, engineering, and law enforcement activities in the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.  Incumbents in these classes learn fire and life safety standards and enforcement techniques, perform technical fire prevention standards and inspection work related to vacant land as well as public, commercial, and industrial buildings, teach fire and life safety, and assist the unit fire prevention officer in the Fire Prevention Program.

Certain positions may be designated Public Officer and subject to a thorough background investigation as outlined by Public Resources Code Section 4156 which provides authority under Penal Code Section 830.7.

Fire Prevention Specialist I

This is the first working level of the series.  Under general supervision, incumbents are assigned work in the Fire Protection Planning Program or the Fire Prevention Program (education/law enforcement/public information).

In the Fire Protection Planning Program incumbents will conduct inspections of public occupancies and enforce applicable sections of Title 19 and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations; conduct inspections of public assembly buildings, commercial, industrial, and specialized and hazardous occupancies; conduct field inspections of developments, buildings, water systems, fire warning alarm systems, and fire extinguishing systems to ensure compliance with all applicable fire laws, ordinances, and other regulations pertaining to fire protection and life safety; examine applications and project plans for buildings; maintain vehicles and other safety equipment; monitor assigned budgets; and coordinate funding.
 
Incumbents in positions in education/law enforcement/public information will assist program managers to administer and coordinate various fire prevention programs; plan and organize the fire prevention work of citizen volunteers; recruit volunteers; participate in team teaching; enforce forest and fire laws; oversee fire safety patrols; conduct and oversee fire hazard and other inspections; issue citations; provide support to law enforcement operations; provide support during emergency incidents; write news releases; provide information on fire and life safety; design, construct, and display fire prevention materials; maintain fire and life safety and other public education information materials; maintain Volunteers in Prevention Program (VIP) records; prepare correspondence and reports and collect and evaluate VIP data; maintain training records; develop cooperative relationships with homeowners, contractors, and landowners; and assist or act as a Public Information Officer.

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$4,047- $5,300 Base Salary (paid every month)

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.

Either I
Three months (480 hours) of experience working as a Volunteer in Prevention with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Or II
Six months of full-time experience coordinating the activities of a Fire Prevention Public Education/Awareness program or performing fire safety code inspections in a fire protection agency; (and)

Education: Equivalent to fifteen college semester units, preferably in Journalism, Communications, Liberal Arts, English, Fire Science, Administration of Justice, or Fire Protection Engineering from a recognized accredited institution of postsecondary education. (One additional year of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education.)

Or III
One year of firefighting or equivalent experience; (and)

Education: Equivalent to fifteen college semester units, preferably in Journalism, Communications, Liberal Arts, English, Fire Science, Administration of Justice, or Fire Protection Engineering from a recognized accredited institution of postsecondary education. (One additional year of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge:
Fire prevention principles and fire and life safety practices; basic inspection techniques; basic fire behavior; fire ground operations; vegetation burn characteristics; basic fire science; California Vehicle Code; vehicle operation and maintenance; basic fire protection engineering; fire prevention programs and regulations; basic hand tools; building codes and fire laws; fire prevention requirements; time management and prioritization techniques; construction techniques; basic construction plan review; fire protection equipment and systems; teaching methods; building materials and their burn characteristics; inventory control and tracking methods; first aid; outdoor safety/survival practices; media operations; public speaking techniques; incident management practices used to deliver emergency services; grant sources; and basic graphic design and display techniques.

Skill in:
Operating a motor vehicle in a variety of conditions.

Ability to:
Maintain cooperative relationships with various entities; explain and enforce appropriate rules, laws, and codes; teach, educate, or train others; perform administrative duties; interact effectively with the public; communicate effectively; analyze situations; read maps; read and interpret construction plans; oversee and participate in inspections; make formal and informal presentations; oversee the work of others; perform basic first aid; coordinate volunteer program activities; recruit volunteers for the Volunteer in Prevention (VIP) program; design and construct visual displays; and identify and implement volunteer recruitment goals.

Special Personal Characteristics
Willingness to work unusual hours and on weekends and holidays; be flexible regarding job assignments; remain on duty as necessary or as emergency circumstances require; interact and conduct interviews with the media; maintain a professional image on and off duty; go out to fires and base camps; work in potentially hazardous and stressful settings; work within close proximity of inmates, wards, and peace officers; work in remote areas; travel statewide and out of state upon short notice for extended periods of time; and recruit, retain, and motivate volunteers.

The CAL FIRE Examination Unit is not accepting exam applications at this time. Please check back periodically to see when the next exam bulletin is released.

There are no available positions at this time, but new opportunities are posted regularly - check back soon!