Job Details

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission.

For more information, visit

Position Overview

The Campus Fire Marshal (CFM) operates with broad and independent authority as determined by the Executive Director, and with delegated authority from the Office of the State Fire Marshal for construction inspection and plan review and the Title 19 building inspection program. This position directs the campus Fire Prevention Division (FPD), overseeing both Fire & Life Safety and Construction & Design Plan Review and Inspection programs. The position interacts and represents the campus with municipal fire departments and regional and state fire related jurisdictions.

The minimum posting duration for this position is 14 calendar days. The department will initiate the application review process on/after June 23, 2025. The posting will be open for applications beyond this date, until filled.

• Plans, directs, and manages EH&S programs for fire, life and panic safety, and construction inspection/plan review. Establishes and implements new or existing strategic goals and objectives for the Fire Prevention Division to carry out critical functions and activities.
• Directs, monitors, evaluates, and continuously improves all FPD activities in support of progressive campus fire and life safety programs. Oversee and monitor delegated development of operational plans.
• Campus expert and EH&S resource on fire and life safety technical and legislative issues, providing professional and strategic consultation to the Executive Director, EH&S professionals, and campus academic and senior University executives to support division, campus, or System wide planning.
• Proposes new, or recommends changes to, fire and life safety policies affecting the organization, campus, and community to assure compliance. Continuously evaluates, recommends, and implements procedures that assure awareness of fire, life & panic safety requirements.Directs the program and serves as the Lead Designated Campus Fire Marshal (as described in the UC-SFM MOU) related to campus construction (new or renovation of facilities), Title 24. Exercises delegated authority to review, approve, or require changes to construction building plans.
• Conducts inspections, and approve or deny building occupancy. Oversee subordinate FTP staff, with SFM Designated authority, to implement these functions.
• Directs compliance and through subordinate FPD staff, apply and enforce Title 19 fire safety requirements for all campus building structures, events, and community related to UCB activities. Monitors or assures compliance to prevent fire, life & panic safety hazards.
• Manages and supervises the FPD staff. Oversees acceptable work production and professional development of team. Supervises, motivates, guides, and applies appropriate standards to staff in their implementation of assigned duties. Recommends or approves hiring of new employees, promotions, reclassification, salary actions, and terminations. Administers full range of performance management to ensure maintenance of expectations and standards.
  • Develops and evaluates personnel, using appropriate performance assessment tools, and ensures the effective and efficient implementation of assignments.
  • Assesses job and career enhancement development needs for staff, assuring access to development opportunities.
  • Establishes, enforces, and promotes a culture of safety and compliance among all staff supervised.
  • As part of the EH&S Senior Management Team, may establish and recommend changes to policies that affect the organization.
  • By memorandum of understanding or other agreements, may develop, manage and oversee associated programs at other UC campuses, per identified need, and manage the assigned personnel.
• Implements in-year budget for construction recharge program and the non-state structural support recharge programs, approving non-compensation expenditure. Recommends budget distribution or augmentations.
  • Participates in the annual budget review, developing and assisting with the positioning of EH&S budgetary proposals and recharge programs to implement the EH&S mission.
  • Provides technical input and directly support annual recharge re-certification activities.
  • Monitors rechargeable field work, assist with resolving service disputes, ensure FPD staff input timely and accurate service hours to automated EH&S recharge system.
  • Approves recharges for collection at least monthly and prior to campus financial journal deadlines.
• Assures or directs the collection of relevant data for inclusion in reports to Federal, State, and local agencies (e.g., the Clery Act).
  • Create fire prevention and construction related reports as requested.
  • Creates or supports EH&S communication programs to ensure that campus communities are informed of compliance requirements.
  • Supports efforts to increase campus public awareness of applicable fire prevention rules, regulations, and policies to protect environmental health and prevent unsafe conditions.
• As delegated by the Executive Director, represents UC Berkeley EH&S or the Executive Director on fire and life safety issues, fire prevention, and construction compliance to fire code.
  • Serves on system-wide committees and work groups
  • Serves as a liaison and work closely with local fire departments (e.g., Berkeley Fire Department), regional fire divisions, and State (State Fire Marshal) or federal fire- related agencies regularly negotiating compliance issues as appropriate.
  • Serves as resource or liaison with campus senior executive administrators (chancellor, vice chancellors, etc.) and external senior level representatives (fire chiefs and fire marshals).
• Maintains current, up-to-date knowledge and understanding of all existing and proposed regulations in fire and life safety code (e.g., NFPA, CCR, etc.).
  • Serves, if appropriate, on NFPA code committees or contribute to the NFPA code interpretation.
  • Completes and maintains compliance on campus/systemwide training requirements, as well as any training necessary per role.
• Primary contact for UC Police Department and other municipal emergency response units related to campus fire events.
  • Responds to fire scenes on a 24 hours - 7 days a week basis, returning to campus if appropriate and required.
  • Performs fire cause and origin investigation and limited arson investigation.
  • Drives university vehicles in fulfillment of job responsibilities
• Directs or manages the response to localized fire events.
  • Conduct appropriate post audit on these local events to determine causes, impacts, and identify prevention opportunities.
• In a campus-wide disaster, serves as a key member of the Emergency Support Function (ESF) or campus Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
  • This is part of the campus Emergency Management - Hazardous Materials program and EH&S is identified as one of the several essential service units that may be mobilized to support the campus EOC.
• Staff Development: Ensures continuous work related self- development via formal management and technical training opportunities, fire safety related committees, technical conferences, UC system wide work groups, and relevant national associations. Maintain management training.

• Comprehensive technical and legal knowledge in all areas of fire and life safety disciplines, with sufficient academic knowledge in the fire sciences or related fields and understanding of related technical requirements, logistics, materials and operations, rules, regulations, and laws. Skills to effectively integrate several highly regulated subject and program areas.
• Expert knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations including the California Health & Safety Code - Titles 8, 19 and 24, California Building Code, California Fire Code, California Mechanical Code and California Electrical Code, California Plumbing Code and NFPA standards in the areas of fire protection, life safety and panic safety.
• Expert knowledge in the application of fire protection engineering, safety engineering, loss prevention and risk management principles.
• Proven knowledge and expertise in the management of programs and personnel delivering technical and emergency services.
• Proven management expertise to effectively lead and direct subordinate professional staff in different programs. Solid interpersonal skills to effectively motivate others, skilled in facilitation, managing, coaching, and relationship building.
• Proven experience in the creation, development, and implementation of effective programs, projects, and initiatives to meet assigned goals.
• Experience and proven skills to efficiently respond or direct the response to emergencies and critical situations, including follow-up evaluation and critique of response efficacy; recommend, develop, and implement changes to emergency response as required.
• Must have significant experience performing a combination of fire prevention inspections, plan review, and construction inspections in a California local or state entity responsible for fire and life safety code and regulation enforcement.
• Extensive experience in managing and approving fire, life and panic safety provisions for large special events.
• Extensive experience in investigation of origin and cause of fires.
• Proven written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills to effectively convey complex information, ability to understand and apply political acumen.
• Skill to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies and senior campus management. Proven and solid communication skills including: verbal and written, active listening, critical thinking, persuasiveness, advising and counseling skills.
• Proven organizational and customer service skills to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Proven skills to quickly evaluate complex issues, identify resolution, and create effective written, comprehensive analyses with recommendations.
• Ability to effectively represent the campus to state and federal authorities, local agencies and community groups.
• Demonstrates a desire to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Advanced degree and/or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training in fire protection engineering, civil engineering, or related area; significant and recent full-time experience in the performance of a combination of fire protection engineering, fire investigation, and code consultation, preferably in a local or state entity responsible for fire, life and panic safety code and regulation enforcement.
• Designation as the Lead Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and UCOP (or must be able to attain this designation within 12 months of hire as a condition of continued employment).

• Certification as a Fire Prevention Officer III or Fire Marshal or equivalent.
• Certification as an International Fire Code Inspector or equivalent.

This is a full-time career position. This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $121,000-$200,000, annually.

This is not a visa opportunity.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.