Fire Prevention Intern - Non-Paid

City of San Marcos•San Marcos, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This volunteer opportunity will be open until October 27, 2026. Under the general supervision of the Fire Marshal or the Fire Inspector, the Fire Prevention Intern learns the processes involved, assists with and performs basic fire safety inspections of various occupancies to determine compliance with state and local fire and building codes; assists prevention staff with inspections for new construction and tenant improvements in all types of occupancies. The Fire Prevention Intern is responsible for learning to perform a wide range of administrative duties and related work within the Fire Prevention Bureau as required. The Fire Prevention Intern is required to commit to a minimum of 6 hours, one day per work week. This is a one year non-paid internship. Fire Prevention Intern must live within the Department Residency Boundary. Employees must reside in the local counties of San Diego, Riverside, Orange or Los Angeles. This twelve month internship is designed to provide the knowledge and skills to successfully achieve the following learning outcomes: 1. Basic to advance understanding of and experience in conducting annual fire and life safety inspections of all occupancies. 2. Basic understanding of and field inspection experience in conducting construction and tenant improvement inspections. 3. Basic to advanced understanding and experience in the operation and inspection of various fire protection systems. 4. Learn how to research, interpret and apply fire and life safety codes in a variety of inspection scenarios. 5. Learn duties of weed abatement inspector, assist with weed abatement site inspections and notification process. 6. Evaluate and inspect new businesses for fire and life safety.

Requirements

Learn the requirements and application of local, state and federal laws, codes and ordinances pertaining to fire safety and enforcement, including California Health and Safety Code, CCR Titles 19 and 24, California Building Code, California Fire Code, NFPA Standards; fire inspections and educational methods used in fire prevention; public relations techniques; and appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
Learn to perform and conduct inspections and detect violations of applicable codes and regulations; learn to read, apply and interpret codes, regulations and building plans; participate in training in subjects such as fire prevention and conducting inspections, establish and maintain credibility and effective working relationships with City employees and the public; use good judgment within the scope of assigned authority; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; keep accurate records and prepare comprehensive verbal and written reports; operate a computer terminal to enter and retrieve data; prepare and present professional fire safety presentations to civic organizations; and demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Ability to operate Fire Department owned vehicles; radio/telephone equipment; computers; flashlights and miscellaneous hand tools related to assigned areas such as hydrant testing equipment, video-camera and equipment, cameras, overhead and slide projectors, fire investigation tool kit, and miscellaneous tools for fire scene investigations.
Education equivalent to graduation from high school and specialized classes in fire prevention or building construction.
Any combination of course work and experience which provide the necessary knowledge and ability to effectively perform the duties of the position are qualifying.
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record.
Certification from California State Fire Marshal in Fire Inspector 1A is required.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Fire Inspector 1B, 1C and 1D Is desirable.

Responsibilities

Learns to perform and assists staff with miscellaneous inspections (i.e. sprinkler systems, fire alarms and special extinguishing systems); receives training in alternate methods and materials when it is appropriate to do so; follows up for compliance with codes when violations or deficiencies were noted during inspection.
Learns to prepare letters, memos, inspection records and technical reports; maintains reports and records.
Learns applicable fire code sections and proper storage requirements of hazardous materials.
Learns to perform technical fire safety inspections of industrial, commercial, and residential properties to determine compliance with state and local fire and building codes.
Assists staff with and learns plan check duties as required; communicates with consultants, city and/or county staff, architects and contractors on requirements for projects.
Assists with issuing permits (burning, tents, pyrotechnics, model rockets, etc.).
Assists with public presentations on fire safety and fire prevention topics; presents programs to civic groups and participates in the Fire Department and district wide public relations programs; assists in training city employees in fire prevention and protection techniques.
Assists with the inspection or investigation citizen complaints about potential fire hazards.
Assists in evaluating fire hazards and performing inspections of overgrown vegetation.
Shadows staff while meeting with citizen groups, organizations, contractors, architects, engineers, and developers regarding fire protection systems, access requirements, building requirements, and other fire prevention life safety issues.
Performs other related duties as required.