Application process closes on: January 5, 2026

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Please read the official job posting for details.  

Cover letter, resume, three professional reference letters, and supporting documentation or certificates required to demonstrate compliance with the minimums must be attached to the application.

It is the applicants responsibility to upload the required documentation.  Applications missing required documents will be disqualified.

The Charleston Fire Department is hiring for the position of Assistant Fire Marshal.  In this role, you will support the mission, vision and values of the Charleston Fire Department through prevention and control of property destruction by fire, preservation of public order and protection of life and property through proactive community risk reduction, emergency management, and the detection of fire related crimes.  Please review the job description for full details.

 Successful candidates will be assigned as either an Assistant Fire Marshal 1 or an Assistant Fire Marshal 2, depending upon qualifications, and placed on a pay band corresponding with the highest degree completed. 

 Assistant Fire Marshal 1

• Minimum education: High School Diploma with fifteen (15) credits from an accredited college or university to include at least three (3) credits of Math and three (3) credits of English. 
• Preferred Education: Associate’s degree in fire science, or related field, from an accredited college or university. 
• Minimum experience: Two (2) years of fire service experience as a firefighter, fire inspector, public fire safety educator or similar.  
• Minimum certifications and training at time of application: 
  • Valid state issued driver’s license 
  • Emergency First Responder/CPR Certification
  • Firefighter II (IFSAC/NFPA Curriculum or equivalent)
  • Hazardous Materials – Awareness
  • ICS 100 & 200
  • At least 40 hours of training in fire science, inspections, investigations, or fire safety education (beyond FF2)
• Preferred certification or training or obtained within 6 months of appointment:
  • Fire Inspector 1 (ICC, NFPA, Pro Board, or equivalent)
  • South Carolina Fire Marshal Rules and Regulations
  • South Carolina Resident Fire Marshal Certification
• Ongoing training and certification requirements will be in accordance with the applicable career development matrix for the position. 

 Assistant Fire Marshal 2

• Minimum education: Associate’s degree in fire science, or related field, from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred education: Bachelor’s degree in fire science, or related field, from an accredited college or university. 
• Minimum experience: Five (5) years of fire service experience as a firefighter, fire inspector, public fire safety educator or similar.  
• Minimum certification at time of application:
  • Valid state issued driver’s license 
  • Emergency First Responder/CPR Certification
  • Firefighter II (IFSAC/NFPA Curriculum or equivalent)
  • Fire Inspector I (ICC, NFPA, Pro Board, or equivalent)
  • Hazardous Materials – Operations
  • ICS 100 & 200, ICS/IS 700 & 800
  • At least 80 hours of training in fire science, inspections, investigations, or fire safety education (beyond FF2)
• Preferred or obtained within 6 months of appointment:
  • Fire Inspection Principles (R0390 or 40 hrs. of inspection related training)
  • ICC Fire Inspector 1
  • South Carolina Fire Marshal Rules and Regulations
  • South Carolina Resident Fire Marshal Certification
  • Fire Investigations for First Responder (FI80, SO770 or equivalent 16 hr. program)
  • NFA: Introduction of Strategic Community Risk Reduction (Q0841)
  • Principles of Building Construction (Non-Combustible & Combustible, Q751, or equivalent)
• Ongoing training and certification requirements will be in accordance with the applicable career development matrix for the position. 

The following pay scale is offered for reference and it is subject to change, it does not include the anticipated 2026 COLA.  Candidates will be placed on the AFM 1 or AFM 2 pay scale, depending upon qualifications, and can work through the associated steps in accordance with the requirements of the SOP.  External candidates generally start at the first step on the plan.