Assistant Fire Chief Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Chief State Fire Marshal #00052 - Agency Employee Only
Job no: 5108559
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Henrico, Virginia
Categories: Administrative Services, Public Safety
Title: Assistant Chief State Fire Marshal #00052 - Agency Employee Only
State Role Title: Compliance Manager II
Hiring Range: $95,000 - $110,000.00
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Department of Fire Programs
Location: Henrico1
Agency Website: www.vafire.com
Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A
Job Duties
About the Agency
The Virginia Department of Fire Programs serves the citizens of the Commonwealth by enhancing public safety through supplemental funding to local governments, education, and training to first responders, fire prevention and life safety education through community risk reduction and statewide fire code enforcement.
The Mission of the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) is to provide safety to life and property from fire for the citizens of the Commonwealth, to ensure a safe and healthy living environment through effective administration, public education, enforcement, plans review, inspections, and technical assistance by requiring compliance with mandated federal and state building, fire, life safety codes and regulations, industrialized building regulations, and all referenced model codes and standards.
About the Position
The Mission of the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) is to provide safety to life and property from fire for the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Fire Marshal's Office also ensures a safe and healthy living environment through effective administration, public education, enforcement, plans review, inspections, and technical assistance by requiring compliance with mandated federal and state building, fire, life safety codes and regulations, industrialized building regulations, and all referenced model codes and standards.
The Assistant State Fire Marshal will be responsible for managing all field operations and special operations technical and administrative functions of the seven SFMO Divisions, including technical, professional and administrative support staff; ensuring the department's building, fire prevention, and life safety code enforcement and technical assistance programs are administered in a timely and efficient manner; managing the VA Statewide Fire Prevention Code inspection and enforcement program, and the VA Uniform Statewide Building Code for the primary purpose of ensuring the safety of Virginia's residents and work force. The incumbent of this position will be responsible for performing duties such as but not limited to developing programs; assigning staff to keep up with the state's codes and standards; serving as the chief technical advisor for the State Fire Marshal's Office; and recommending staffing levels/resources to ensure all program objectives have been met and staff have received sufficient training. The Assistant Chief State Fire Marshal will also serve as the Business User Administrator over the SFMO database and IROL Reporting systems; promote the objectives of all programs, national and state codes/standards with international, national, and intra-state fire related organizations; visit division offices on a quarterly basis to meet with managers/staff and also accompany supervisors on at least 5 inspections annually; and monitor reports/data and advise regional Chief Deputies regarding correcting discrepancies; The incumbent of the position will also write and recommend code changes, standards and regulations; formally present technical interpretations and information; represent the Commonwealth's fire protection and prevention interest at the national level by attending and participating in national/statewide conferences and serving on committees; coordinating training programs; reviewing documentation and literature; and providing leadership to local government fire and building personnel throughout the Commonwealth.
This position has a Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST) assignment and is designated as essential personnel. Provides support during an emergency incident either within the Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC), in a field assignment or in support of recovery operations. Maintains situational awareness throughout the region / division. Employees may be required to work during emergency situations, such as inclement weather and natural or man-made disasters/events as directed. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may also include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description.
Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of the administration and enforcement of federal and state building and fire safety related regulations including: the Virginia USBC, the Virginia Fire Prevention Code, the NFPA Life Safety Code, the Virginia Industrialized Building, and all referenced model codes and standards, including principles of building and fire protection design, construction, and engineering.
• Certification as a Fire Official within 12 months of employment.
• Certified Building Official within 2 years of employment.
• Certifications, as issued by the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development, for Fire Protection Inspector, CORE, Advanced Official, Building Plans Examiner, Fire Prevention Inspector and Fire Protection Plans Examiner within 4 years of employment.
• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability in developing and managing diverse and complex statewide programs to provide safety to life and property.
• Experience demonstrating extensive experience evaluating detailed engineered performance-based designs, equivalency proposals, specifications and engineered plans.
• Experience demonstrating extensive skills and abilities to inspect, interpret, research and cross-reference multiple codes such as the ICC Code and referenced standards and the Life Safety Code and referenced Standards.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret and apply state and federal mandates, legal opinions and regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of budget management including fiscal responsibilities and knowledge of procurement policies and procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of personnel policies including hiring, evaluating, disciplinary and training practices and experience demonstrating the ability to manage, plan, direct, and supervise a diverse professional staff.
• Extensive interpersonal skills demonstrating working with inter and intra state fire service organizations, building code organizations, and design professionals and code development organizations to resolve safety issues and develop guidelines/regulations to protect the safety and welfare of the citizens of this country.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate orally to negotiate sensitive issues, make formal complex, technical presentations and conduct training workshops to organizations and professional groups at local, state, and national levels.
• Demonstrated ability to research, organize, write, and publish technical material.
• Experience demonstrating skills and abilities to operate a PC and corresponding software to manage program data and to produce reports.

Additional Considerations

• Hazardous Material Technician, VDFP Fire Officer I & II, and AFSL Fireworks for Fire Marshals desired.
• Experience in fire service operations, fire service code enforcement, blasting, fireworks, pyrotechnics, fire inspections, environmental investigations, fire service management, fire service instruction and fire investigations desired.

Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Special Requirements:
Required Licensure / Certification: Valid driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment. Must be willing to travel overnight and be available on workdays, evening, nights and weekends as needed.
Criminal History: Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check. Must be able to pass a federal background check to obtain a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secret security clearance.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:59 pm on the closing date through the Recruitment Management System (RMS). Applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax, or in person will not be considered. Applicants are expected to fully represent qualifications and work history on the State applications and or in resumes. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided in the application, resume, or other relevant documents provided; therefore, it is essential for applicants to supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete state application/resume, or a state application/resume lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. This website will provide confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your RMS Account to check the status of your application for this position.
The candidate selected for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check. State employees who have been affected by Policy 1.3 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) must submit the card BEFORE the closing date for this position. The card may be scanned and attached to the application or faxed to (804) 371-7401. Please include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet. You may apply for this position at Home. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact Ethel White at (804) 249-1992 for assistance. VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Contact Information
Name: Taris Harmon
Phone: 804-292-6482
Email: taris.harmon@dhrm.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 29 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 03 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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