San Marcos Fire Department — San Marcos, CA
Listing verified today
Create a free account to apply directly with the department.
Firefighter jobs in your pocket
Find openings near you and get alerted the moment new jobs post — free on iOS & Android.
The City of San Marcos Fire Department is pleased to announce the 2026 Fire Division Chief Promotional Exam Process.
This recruitment for Fire Division Chief is a Closed Promotional opportunity and is open only to regular full-time City employees who have passed their original probationary period, or at-will full-time City employees who have completed twelve consecutive months of employment, and who meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Applications from individuals who do not meet these criteria will not be accepted.
The City of San Marcos is seeking a proven leader who is ready to take initiative, deliver results, and exemplify the Fire Department’s core values of integrity, competency, leadership, safety, and customer service. As Fire Division Chief, you will uphold the standard of excellence expected by San Marcos residents and the Fire Chief. You will serve on the front lines when emergencies demand it while also acting as a mentor, organizational leader, and advocate for community safety. You will collaborate regularly with other City departments, provide direct support to the Fire Chief, and effectively address sensitive and controversial issues on behalf of the City. Because San Marcos values innovation and vision, you will be expected to remain current with emerging technologies and industry trends and apply your expertise to improve business processes and service delivery. As a Department leader, you will exercise responsible stewardship of City resources, develop staff, maintain operational readiness, and be accountable to the highest standards of personal conduct and professional expertise. You will also be expected to contribute wherever and whenever duty calls. Under administrative direction, the Fire Division Chief directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of an assigned division within the Fire Department. Responsibilities may include operations, training, facilities and equipment maintenance, fire prevention, disaster preparedness, public education, and related programs and services. The Fire Division Chief responds to emergency incidents; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Chief.
Recruitment and Examination Process:
In addition to a completed application, applicants must submit a resume, copies of all required licenses and certifications, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire as an attached PDF.
## REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES Please click the link below to review the full job description.
Class Specifications | FIRE DIVISION CHIEF | Class Spec Details ## EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in fire science, fire administration, public administration, or a related field is highly desirable at the time of appointment.
Experience Eight years of increasingly responsible experience with an agency providing a full range of urban fire protection services, including two years of management and administrative responsibility at the Battalion Chief level.
Highly desirable experience : Three years of command and leadership experience as a Division, Assistant or Deputy Chief, with a combination of field operations and administrative responsibilities.
License or Certificate
Special Requirements Any person hired as a Fire Division Chief after July 1, 1992, must remain a nonsmoker throughout employment with the San Marcos Fire Department. The Fire Division Chief must have no federal or state felony convictions and must reside within the department's residency boundary.
Click here to learn more about the benefits at the City of San Marcos.
**Holidays ** – The City observes fourteen (14) paid holidays that include eleven (11) specifically designated days and three (3) floating holidays.
Vacation Leave – A new employee will accrue eighty (80) hours of vacation per calendar year for the first five years of service (one hundred, twenty (120) hours for years five through ten, and one hundred, sixty (160) hours after ten years). Vacation accrual begins immediately; however, a new employee is not eligible to take vacation leave until the completion of six (6) months of service with the City.
Sick Leave – A new employee will earn ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave each year.
**Bereavement Leave - ** Employees are eligible to use up to 40 hours of bereavement leave per fiscal year.
Executive Leave - As a "Management Exempt" At Will employee, you will receive eighty (80) hours of Executive Leave per fiscal year. This leave cannot roll over, has no cash value, and any leave not used by June 30th of each year will be lost.
Group Health Insurance Program – A new employee will become a member of one of the City's group health plans, which are provided by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City currently pays 90% of premium of the plan elected.
**Voluntary Dental/Vision Insurance Programs ** – The City offers two voluntary dental insurance programs, an HMO program and a PPO Program, as well as a voluntary vision insurance program.
Section 125 Flexible Spending Account – All employees are eligible to participate in the City's Section 125 Flexible Spending Account plan administered by Benefit Coordinators Corporation (BCC). This is an IRS-approved plan which enables you to have withheld from your paycheck an amount to cover eligible dependent care, and certain eligible medical expenses without being subject to federal income or social security tax on the income used to pay for these benefits.
Retirement **: ** Benefits are provided by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City currently contracts with CalPERS for the 3% at 55 benefit formula, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for CLASSIC members and 2.7% at 57, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for PEPRA (new) members. Employees will contribute 9% or 12.25% towards CalPERS, depending whether a classic or new member.
Retiree Health Savings (RHS) – All employees participate in a Retiree Health Savings plan through the ICMA Retirement Corporation.
Additional Benefits **– ** The City offers additional benefits such as short and long-term disability, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and workers' compensation insurance.