Jobs in this family inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazard conditions and fire code violations; obtains and investigates fires involving private and public buildings, motor vehicles, properties, and other equipment where arson is suspected; conducts fire safety inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems ; and enforce state and local regulations relating to fire investigations, codes, and inspections.

Jobs and Descriptions

Fire Marshal I

Technical work responsible for assisting with fire inspections in all 5000 state-owned buildings, colleges, universities, state departments and other agencies. Employees in this family provide support in researching codes and data files for compliance purposes; respond to man-made and/or natural disasters to include fires, search and rescue missions, hazardous material incidents, and other medical emergencies as required; conduct factory built home inspections for transit damages, seal tampering, and retailer alterations; assist with investigating background information on suspects from financial institutions, employers, neighbors, and criminal records; assist with the preparation of comprehensive investigation reports; and investigate consumer complaints regarding factory built homes and report findings to supervisor. In addition, employees analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fires and/or explosions; provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies in fire investigations; inspect fire extinguishers and other protection equipment; test fire safety systems; and participate in evacuation safety drills. General supervision is received from an administrative superior.

Typically requires a possession of a State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification within 12 months of hire and 1-3 years of experience in fire prevention, firefighting, criminal investigation, and/or arson investigation.

OCCU: 9629
Pay Grade: MS07 

Fire Marshal II

Advanced technical work involving testifying in criminal or civil court as an expert witness; and exercising independent judgment in handling investigation cases. Employees respond to man-made and/or natural disasters to include fires, search and rescue missions, hazardous material incidents, and other medical emergencies; analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fires or explosions; secure background information on suspects from financial institutions, employers, neighbors, and criminal records; write, prepare, and ensure accuracy of investigative reports; inspect fire extinguishers and other protection equipment; conduct fire inspections in all 5000 state-owned buildings, colleges, universities, state departments and agencies; enforce state fire codes for compliance in state-owned and state-leased buildings; obtain evidence as to the cause and origin of fires where arson is suspected; assist with performing on-site inspections of homes; and ensure that all suspected arson cases are fully investigated. Employees assist with providing support to lower level staff.

Requires a possession of a State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification.  Typically requires 4-6 years of experience in fire prevention firefighting, criminal investigation, and/or arson investigation.

OCCU: 9630
Pay Grade: MS10

Fire Marshal Team Lead

Supervisory and professional work accountable for planning, organizing, and coordinating Deputy Fire Marshals’ activities in lower classifications; providing consultations, interpretations, and technical assistance to fire chiefs, police chiefs, sheriffs, district attorneys, and engineers; assisting other deputies with suspected arson cases; developing forms for use in fire investigations, fire codes enforcement, and mobile home inspections; conducting training sessions in fire investigations, fire codes enforcement, and factory built home rules and regulations; and assisting retailers, manufacturers, part distributors, the federal government, and homeowners as it relates to laws, rules, and regulations of factory built homes. Work involves discussing corrective actions required for compliance with building owners, facility administrators, contractors, manufacturers, and architects; ensuring the appropriate response times as it relates to natural and/or man-made disasters; overseeing fire inspections of all 5000 state-owned buildings, colleges, universities, state departments, and agencies; enforcing state fire codes for compliance in state-owned and state-leased buildings; obtaining evidence as to the cause and origin of fires where arson is suspected; photographing sites of suspected arson; and following cases to successful prosecution and/or conviction. Work is performed under an administrative superior.

Requires a possession of a State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification.  Typically requires 5-9 years of experience in fire prevention firefighting, criminal investigation, and/or arson investigation.

OCCU: 9631
Pay Grade: MS15

Fire Marshal Supervisor

Administrative work accountable for overseeing the planning, organizing, coordinating, and executing of all assigned duties; and directing supervision over fire prevention staff either directly or indirectly through other supervisors. Employees provide administrative support on difficult cases; ensure deputies reports and depositions are reviewed prior to presenting cases to grand jury; oversee the execution of policies and procedures of deputies in the field and within the Office of the State Fire Marshal; provide leadership in training sessions of fire investigations, fire codes enforcement, and factory built home rules and regulations; ensure that all suspected arson cases are fully investigated; and conduct complex inspections and/or investigations. Work involves advising staff on conducting inspections and/or investigations relative to the State Fire Marshal programs; overseeing the preparation and monitoring of financial resources and budgets; providing support and training to staff in response to man-made and/or natural disasters; attending and testifying at Civil Service hearings; preparing legislation as it pertains to an assigned program area; preparing various reports; and evaluating and inspecting emergency shelters for occupancy.

Requires possession of a State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification.  Typically requires 8-10 years of experience in law enforcement.

OCCU: 9632
Pay Grade: MS16