Become a Fire Prevention Specialist II

  • 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 II

This is the journey level of the series.  Under direction, incumbents serve as the Public Information Officer in the Fire Protection Planning Program or Fire Prevention Program (education/law enforcement/public information).
 
In the Fire Protection Planning Program, incumbents must have a thorough knowledge of Title 19 and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulation and will independently review applications and set fire protection conditions on subdivisions, parcel maps, conditional use cases, public use cases, public facility cases, plot plan approvals, variance cases, and on any development or problem raised by a county planning department, planning commission, or board of supervisors; review building plans for all commercial, industrial, multi-family, and public facilities as they are submitted to a county building department; review plans and inspect complex engineered or pre-engineered suppression systems, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems, and provide fire protection recommendations or requirements; coordinate special operations (e.g., Red Flag Patrols); coordinate with cooperating agencies; maintain tools and equipment; provide basic first aid; and monitor assigned budgets.
 
Incumbents in a public information/law enforcement/education assignment will serve as an assistant manager in fire prevention education; issue citations; perform preliminary fire investigations; provide support to law enforcement operations; provide support during emergency incidents; enforce forest and fire laws; conduct fire hazard inspections; coordinate team teaching materials; coordinate training for unit personnel and volunteers; design, construct, and display fire prevention materials; oversee fire safety patrols; act as Assistant Information Officer; prepare news releases, present speeches to the public and community groups; recruit volunteers; conduct VIP meetings; maintain VIP records; prepare correspondence and reports; and coordinate research projects.

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$4,631- $6,064 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
One year of full-time experience performing the duties of a Fire Prevention Specialist I with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Or II
Two years of increasingly responsible experience administering or coordinating a fire prevention program or conducting fire safety and code inspections of public/commercial buildings. (Experience in the California state service applied toward the experience/education requirement must be at a level of responsibility equivalent to a Fire Prevention Specialist I.); (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 institution of postsecondary education. (One additional year of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge:
All of the above, and the Incident Command System; fire and life safety practices; Public Information Officer duties; firefighting nomenclature; fire prevention principles and practices; personal protective equipment; fire science and the fire triangle in relation to prevention and education; public speaking techniques; various training/teaching methods; research processes; forestry and fire laws, rules, and regulations; fire suppression methods, suppression tools, and equipment; and basic writing skills.

Skill in:
All of the above, and safely driving a variety of different makes and models of Department vehicles in a variety of weather conditions and geographic settings.

Ability to:
All of the above, and work independently; remain calm and perform effectively in high-stress situations; communicate clearly and concisely; lead people in stressful or emergency situations; effectively communicate the Department’s message to the media; understand and employ good fire and life safety practices; interpret and explain codes, rules, and Department policies and procedures; independently conduct and schedule inspections and meetings; effectively manage time, multiple assignments, and deadlines; operate various computer programs; train and educate colleagues, volunteers, and the community; recruit, retain, and motivate volunteers; create and design visuals; design and construct visual displays; and physically perform the duties of the position.

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!