Deputy Fire Marshall

State of Montana

At a glance

Deputy Fire Marshall with the State of Montana in Montana. Posted Sep 23, 2026.

Location: Montana
Employment type: Full-time
Employer: State of Montana (state government)
Posted: Sep 23, 2026

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Job Description

Division Overview:

Montana's
Division of Criminal Investigation
is a diverse public safety team of professionals who provide a full range of criminal investigative services to state, local, and tribal law enforcement.

From homicide investigations to illegal narcotics, criminal records, cybercrime, human trafficking, missing persons, or through training and certifying public safety officers, DCI serves as the hub in providing critical law enforcement support.

Our diverse customer base includes protecting our vulnerable population, managing the sexual and violent offender registry, serving as the hub of communication for criminal justice information networks and the storage of criminal records, conducting arson investigations, as well as providing intelligence analysis support for local law enforcement.

Many of our positions within DCI go without public recognition but remain the lifeline of support for public safety.

With a doctrine of service, honor, and justice, this statewide organization provides the best in critical, accurate, and timely service to protect our citizens.

Job Overview
:

The
Fire Prevention and Investigation Section
provides statewide fire prevention and investigation services to nearly 400 fire agencies, 56 county sheriff's departments, more than 60 city police departments, and numerous other state and federal agencies. The section assists with adoption of fire safety regulations, inspection of public buildings, establishment and promotion of fire prevention programs, approval of local inspection programs, and the investigation of fires to determine origin and cause. The section also manages and maintains the records of all fires that occur within the state; provides training to local public safety agencies; and assists in homeland security training and planning.

The
Deputy State Fire Marshal
supports the overall section goals and objectives by performing professional investigative and inspection duties in order to enforce laws, codes, rules, and regulations enacted by the State of Montana in relation to fire safety. The position reports directly to the State Fire Marshal and serves as a spokesperson for the section when communicating through prepared letters, telephone, and personal discussions with the general public; building industry; law enforcement; fire service agencies; and local, state, and federal government officials.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be qualified by experience, training, and professional competence in matters of fire service and safety, as required by 2-15-2005, MCA, and ARM 23-12-405.

Degree in fire-protection engineering or related field from a recognized institution of higher education and two years' experience in fire protection or be ICC Fire Inspector I or Fire Inspector II certified.

Knowledge:

For fire investigations, the Deputy requires knowledge of the relevant Montana Code Annotated; National Fire Protection Association Fire Codes; fire behavior in structures, automobiles, and wild lands; firefighting techniques; behavior of electricity, LPG gas, and natural gas as it relates to fire; specialized investigative devices and equipment related to fire investigation; interview and investigative methods and techniques used in fire investigation; criminal investigation procedures; procedures used for collection and preservation of evidence; and legal proceedings relating to arson prosecution. For building inspection and construction plan review activities, the Deputy requires knowledge of the standards pertaining to fire/life safety inspections; Building Codes; building construction processes and practices; installation and operation of fire alarm systems; installation and operation of smoke detection systems; installation and operation of automatic extinguishing systems; and blueprint interpretation.

Skills:

•

Various fire-related equipment used in on-sight fire investigations, hydrocarbon detectors, fire investigation kits, hand tools, fire department equipment, ladders, shovels, sifting screens, measuring devices, video cameras, and digital cameras. Must also be able to direct heavy equipment operators to remove large structural assemblies and assist with rigging chains and cables in appropriate locations to remove such assemblies. Voice recorders and transcription equipment are used for interviews.
•

Equipment related to the different inspection duties performed by Deputies including a volt-ohmmeter multi tester, an electric circuit tester, a pitot tube, and canned smoke.
•

Equipment needed to train/educate, such as a video camera, video cassette recorder, overhead projector, and PowerPoint projector.
•

4X4 standard shift vehicle use in off-road conditions; standard office equipment; personal computer equipment; standard computer software to include Microsoft Office programs; fire-related software; personal protection equipment.

Special Instructions:

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the résumé, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.
Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.
Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

Criminal History Fingerprint Check
·

Intensive Background Check
·

Driving History

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a resume at the time of application
.
Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a "Relevant File".

Your Resume
: Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position.

Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

A complete online state application is not required.

To initiate an application, attach the resume to be considered for this position.

Failure to attach résumé will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.
All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date.

Please submit preference documentation to Terri Christianson at
Terese.Christianson@mt.gov
via
File Transfer Service
.

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.
Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous

State of Montana Benefits.

Medical, dental and vision coverage
·

Retirement plans
·

Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
·

Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
·

Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This Organization Participates in
E-Verify
.
Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

This position is/may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)
.

Applicant Pool Statement
:

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment
:

This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary: $

32.95

Hourly

Telework Eligibility
:

Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility
:

Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings
:

Employee Status
:

Regular

Schedule
:

Full-Time

Job Type
:

Standard

Shift
:

Day Job

Travel
:

Yes, 50 % of the Time

Primary Location
:

Great Falls

Agency
:

Department of Justice

Union
:

000 - None

Posting Date
:

Sep 22, 2026, 12:27:09 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone)
:

Oct 7, 2026, 1:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials
:

Resume

Contact Name
:

Rebecca Tatafu

Contact Email
:

DOJCSDHR@mt.gov

Contact Phone
:

406-444-5528

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711.
Montana Job Service Offices
also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

Requirements