State of Maryland

A Deputy State Fire Marshal Supervisor is the supervisory level of work as a law enforcement officer in the field of fire prevention, investigation and inspection, and explosives control.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Deputy State Fire Marshals within a specific geographical region.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Deputy State Fire Marshal Manager.  The work is usually performed within a designated geographical area, but requires travel to emergency sites that may be located anywhere within the State.  The employee may be exposed to hazardous conditions such as unsafe buildings and intense heat, hazardous materials and extreme weather conditions.  Employees in this classification are subject to call on a 24-hour basis.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Deputy State Fire Marshal Supervisor is differentiated from the Deputy State Fire Marshal Manager in that the Deputy State Fire Marshal Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Deputy State Fire Marshals in a regional office, while the Deputy State Fire Marshal Manager has supervisory responsibility for Deputy State Fire Marshal Supervisors and manages the Field Operations Division.

Supervises the activities of a regional office of the State Fire Marshal;

Trains, advises, and assists staff in the interpretation of the State Fire Prevention Code;

Assists in the inspection of structures;

Investigates the causes of fires and explosions of questionable circumstances, or which result in death, injury, or large property loss;

Assists and advises local agencies in investigating fires and explosions;

Reviews fire investigation and inspection reports to determine accuracy and completeness;

Prepares monthly regional reports;

Prepares cases for court and testifies as an expert witness;

Consults with building contractors, property owners and occupants regarding fire prevention code requirements;

Prepares and presents fire prevention demonstrations;

Evaluates permit requests regarding fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, electrical testing laboratories, and firework displays;

May serve as a training officer or as the chief of a specialized unit such as the bomb squad, the tactical unit, or the unit that enforces laws pertaining to the sale of electrical appliances;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of Maryland State laws and regulations pertaining to fire prevention, explosives control, smoke detectors and electrical equipment;

Knowledge of fire and explosives inspection and investigation methods and techniques;

Knowledge of the physical characteristics of fire and of the typical burn patterns from various flammable substances;

Knowledge of investigative methods and techniques;

Knowledge of the methodology employed in controlled pyrotechnic displays;

Knowledge of the conditions that render a burned building unsafe for reconstruction and of the procedure for condemning it;

Knowledge of the principles of supervision;

Skill in the use and care of firearms;

Skill in the use of technical fire investigation equipment;

Ability to understand blueprints and engineering drawings;

Ability to gather, examine, and analyze pertinent information and reach accurate conclusions;

Ability to interpret fire codes and explain relevant laws and regulations to property owners, government officials and the general public;

Ability to prepare comprehensive reports;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local fire and police department personnel;

Ability to cope with stressful situations;

Ability to supervise and instruct lower-level fire marshals and clerical staff;

Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergency situations;

Ability to communicate effectively with the general public, co-workers and supervisors.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.  Preferred education is an Associate of Arts degree or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five years of experience as a Deputy State Fire Marshal enforcing State laws in the field of explosive materials, inspecting buildings and other places of public assembly for compliance with fire prevention codes, inspecting and disposing of explosive materials and devices or investigating the cause and origin of fires and explosions.

Notes:

1. The above educational requirement is set by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training and Standards Commission in accordance with the Public Safety Article, Section 3-207, Annotated Code of Maryland.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Firefighter classifications or Firefighter specialty codes in the fire inspection and investigation field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Candidates for positions in this classification must possess a Police Officer certification from the Maryland Police and Correctional Training and Standards Commission at the time of application.

2. Preferred certifications for candidates applying for positions in this classification:

    - Pro-Board Fire Inspector II

    - IAAI Certified Fire Investigator

    - Supervision and leadership courses or certifications as required through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training and Standards Commission.

1. Employees in this classification must meet the selection standards required and successfully complete the training prescribed by the Maryland Police Training Commission for a police officer in accordance with the Public Safety Article, Section 6-303, Annotated Code of Maryland or be eligible for comparative compliance training, approved by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission. Selection standards for Police Officer training are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations 12.04.01.04 and include the following:

U.S. Citizenship

Must be at least 21 years of age

A completed background investigation, including a check of criminal history

Oral interview

Physical examination

Possession of a driver's license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification will be required to bear firearms and to demonstrate practical knowledge and proficiency in the safe use and care of firearms on a periodic basis, as required by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission.

3. Employees in this classification are assigned duties in a given service area.

4. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employer with a phone number where they can be reached.

5. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position. 

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.   All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (Used by agency or excluded by executive order), or Z (confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.