DFPC Fire Investigator (Western Slope)

State of Colorado; Colorado; Hybrid; USD 94,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits (PERA)

Paid holidays

Hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Prevention and Control, is seeking a Fire Marshal III to lead fire origin and cause investigations statewide. You will collect evidence, interview witnesses, prepare reports, and provide courtroom testimony when required.

This hybrid position requires in-state travel up to 30% and occasional out-of-state training. Colorado resident at hire and relevant certifications (NAFI or IAAI) are preferred; minimum two years’ investigative experience

Qualifications

• Certification by NAFI as a Certified Fire Investigator or IAAI Fire Investigation Technician.
• Minimum of two years of experience in fire origin and causes investigations.
• Proven history of providing courtroom testimony.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex fire origin and cause investigations relating to arson and other incidents.
• Collect, identify, and preserve evidence and document incidents with photographs and reports.
• Coordinate affidavits, warrants, case filings and give testimony in court.
• Provide training and mentorship to internal and external investigators.

Skills

Courtroom testimony

Fire investigations

Communication skills

Education

NAFI/IAAI Certification

Job description

This position is open only to current residents of the state of Colorado.

This position will primarily work west of the continental divide (western slope of Colorado). Candidates on the western slope will be given preference.

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

While the full salary range for this position is listed, employees are normally hired towards the lower end of the range.

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities

Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado

Our Core Values – Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification and Salary:

Fire Marshal III

Anticipated Hiring Range: $46.60/hour; $8,077/month; $96,928/year

Full Salary Range: $7,881- $11,035/month; $94,572 - $132,420/year

Benefits:

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.
• The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee’s health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching, skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.
• Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.
• State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
• Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

About the Work Unit

The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control is to safeguard those that live, work, learn, and play in Colorado by reducing threats to lives, property and the environment. The Division safeguards the public through: fire prevention and code enforcement; wildfire preparedness, response, suppression, coordination, and management; training and certification; public information and education; and technical assistance to local governments.

The primary purpose of the work unit is to:

1. when requested by a local fire authority, determine how a fire started and why the fire behaved the way it did. This is accomplished through the collection, preservation, analyzation, and interpretation of physical evidence collected through a thorough and methodic scientific process. Data collected through fire investigations is a key element in addressing a community's fire problem;

2. assist the Fire & Life Safety Section in the development of a holistic fire prevention and building construction program. In order to close the loop in implementing and supporting a professional program, fire investigations must play a significant role in our prevention efforts. Through the understanding gained from the fire dynamics that occur in the field, the group will be more prepared to modify regulatory requirements for buildings and products, ensuring a more robust and comprehensive program, which will help prevent or mitigate similar occurrences;

3. aid local fire authorities in identifying their target hazards. By identifying trends in the local community's fire incidents, DFPC can help local authorities identify their target hazards to concentrate effort on, as well as assist in identifying their target audience for their fire and life safety education programs;

4. provide training, technical guidance, and resources to local jurisdictions, who may not otherwise have the means necessary to conduct their own investigations or provide trainings.

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid position - Candidates will work from DFPC offices and be in the field
• In-state travel and operation of a State vehicle will be required for this position
• Overnight travel will be required -- expected to be 30% of the time
• Out-of-State travel, between 2 day and 2 weeks, may be required for this position: representation and participation for multi-state and national level conferences, training, association meetings, etc.
• This position requires unusual shift and travel demands for investigations, training, and court testimony. Must be willing to be on-call 24-hours a day to respond anywhere in the state to assist with investigations, some of which may be criminal in nature.
• Work is commonly conducted in environments that have been affected by fire. The employee will likely come into contact with unburned products of combustion, which have been proven to be carcinogenic.

About the Job

This position exists to perform, as requested by local jurisdictions, structural, vehicle, and/or wildland fire origin and cause investigations, which include, but are not limited to, the collection, preservation, analyzation, and interpretation of physical evidence, as well as courtroom testimony and report writing. This position will conduct examinations of incident scenes, interview witnesses and other persons associated with the scene, collect, identify, and preserve evidence, following chain of custody procedures, and document incident scenes, to include taking and cataloging photographs and report writing. Prepare and submit investigation reports and related work products, including case files. The incumbent may also be required to testify and/or give depositions in legal proceedings. Assist law enforcement agencies in criminal investigations related to incendiary fires, as necessary.

Additionally, this position provides training for investigators operating within local jurisdictions, including basic and advanced procedures and protocols for the collection, preservation, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence. This will include participation in periodic evaluations and training sessions in fire investigation techniques to maintain required certifications.

The incumbent will serve as liaison with local fire investigation officials and represent the Division and its employees on regional collaboration forums and associations relevant to the profession.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts complex fire origin and causes investigations relating to arson and other fire incidents. Investigations may include: interviews of suspects, witnesses, and victims; searches for evidence of criminal acts; written comprehensive specific reports of findings and actions.
• Collects, identifies, and preserves evidence, following chain of custody procedures, and document incident scenes, to include taking and cataloging photographs and report writing.
• Analyzes and corroborates legal and agency documents and records in support of criminal investigations pertaining to investigation activities.
• Coordinates affidavits, warrants, case filing, and subpoenas for presentation to district attorneys, grand juries, and trial courts. Gives testimony in court, makes recommendations regarding prosecution to district attorneys and the Attorney General's office relating to criminal arson investigations.

Fire Investigation Liaison

Participates with local, state, and federal partners to create regional investigations teams throughout the state. This work will include, but not be limited to, participating in the development and implementation of minimum selection criteria for team member participation; stakeholder outreach for initial and ongoing team development; work prioritization; conflict resolution; and ensuring consistency in work product and delivery. Tracks investigations performed for data analysis and review. Works with local partners to assess and determine regional fire investigation training needs and then develop a program to support the determined needs. Serves as a liaison between the Division and professional fire and arson investigation organizations, such as CIAAI.

Train and Mentor Internal and External Investigators

Acts as a preceptor and trains investigators in all aspects of unit assignments. Responsible for conducting and facilitating training for investigators in both the field and office. Provides ongoing advanced training for investigators based on available opportunities and the individual employee’s level of expertise and knowledge base, and provides remedial training where necessary. Assists with the development and revision of training tools, protocols, and curriculum. Evaluates and assists investigators in the office and the field as required to assist with meeting workload requirements.

Mentors other DFPC employees in the field of fire investigations.

Required Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Certification by the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator or by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) as a Fire Investigation Technician.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in fire origin and cause investigations.
• Proven history of providing courtroom testimony.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) as a Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF), or be able to attain certification within one year.

Conditions of Employment

• In-state travel may be required for up to 30% of the time, necessitating between 1- and 4-night stays on-site. Occasional travel may be required for training out-of-state for times between 2 days and up to 2 weeks in duration.
• Must be Colorado resident at the time of application.
• Current valid driver's license at time of hire, and must obtain a Colorado-issued driver's license within 6 months of hire.
• This position will operate a state vehicle.
• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, driving history, and drug test.

Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Disability Accommodation

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at: [e-mail].

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.