Division Chief Fire Marshal

The Division Chief – Fire Marshal oversees and manages all fire prevention, life safety, fire investigative, and fire code enforcement functions within the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Division of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local fire codes, ordinances, and standards; developing and implementing prevention and inspection programs; supervising fire investigations and inspections;

and managing staff assigned to prevention and technical services. The Fire Marshal plays a key role in reducing fire risk through proactive education, plan review, and enforcement activities. Work involves significant administrative oversight, strategic planning, and coordination with other public safety divisions, government agencies, and the community.

• Education – Associate degree in fire science technology, fire safety, public administration, business administration or a closely related field
• Experience – Six (6) years’ experience in fire service operations and administrative experience, including two (2) years of fire investigation and fire inspection

* Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required competencies to perform the job.

• Must have experience developing and providing oversight to programs
• Valid Driver License
• Certifications:
• Certification as a Firefighter by the State of Florida
• Certification as a Florida Fire Safety Inspector II
• Certification as a Florida Fire Investigator
• Certification as Life Safety Educator
• Preferred:
• Bachelor’s degree in fire science technology, fire safety, public administration, business administration or a closely related field
• Certification as a Fire Code Official or Fire Code Administrator
• Experience in developing or managing Community Risk Reduction (CRR) or other public education programs
• NFPA 1037 Fire Marshal Certification or Community Risk Reduction (CRR-C) Certification

• This list of functions, duties, responsibilities, skills, and physical abilities is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as deemed necessary.
• Provides administrative direction, leadership, and management of all fire prevention and life safety programs and personnel.
• Develops, recommends, and implements fire prevention goals, policies, and procedures consistent with departmental objectives and applicable laws and codes.
• Interprets and enforces local, state, and federal building and fire codes, ordinances, and statutes to ensure compliance and public safety.
• Reviews building plans, blueprints, and construction documents for code compliance and provides recommendations for approval or correction.
• Oversees fire inspections, investigations, and permitting processes; ensures proper documentation and case management.
• Supervises assigned personnel, including evaluating performance, making recommendations for promotions, transfers, disciplinary actions, and professional development.
• Disseminates and enforces directives, general orders, special orders, and standard operating procedures among assigned personnel.
• Participates in administrative functions such as policy development, budget preparation, personnel management, and long‑term strategic planning.
• Prepares and reviews reports and records related to fire prevention, inspection activity, budgetary oversight, and resource allocation; ensures compliance with departmental policy and Florida law.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends, technologies, and developments in the fire prevention and life safety field for continuous improvement of division operations.
• Accounts for all assigned equipment, vehicles, materials, and…