Fire/Arson Investigator

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 61,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County seeks a Fire Investigator to determine the origin and cause of fires or explosions that threaten life, property, or the environment. The role may work from office or field locations depending on the assignment.

The investigator will collect evidence, document findings, and may provide expert testimony in court. Education requires a high school diploma or GED; additional certifications are highly valued.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Relevant fire investigation certifications encouraged (TCFP, IAAI).
• Prior experience or training in arson investigation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Investigate fire scenes to determine origin and cause.
• Gather and preserve physical evidence and witness statements.
• Prepare reports and provide expert testimony in court as needed.
• Participate in training to maintain certifications.

Skills

Fire investigation standards

Evidence collection

Court testimony

Education

High School Diploma or GED

TCFP Arson Investigator certification (Basic/Intermed/Advanced/M Master)

IAAI Fire Investigator Technician (FIT)

IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI)

NIMS IS-700/800/100/200/300/400

Job description

Position Overview

A Fire Investigator is certified to investigate the origin and cause of fires or explosions that threaten life, property, or the environment. The Fire Investigator reports to a supervisor and any management member and may work from either office or field location, depending on the work assignment. The incumbent has a working knowledge of recognized standards for fire investigations, fire inspections, fireworks, and fire and life safety hazards, including LGC. 352.016.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Investigation:
  • Conduct thorough investigations of fire scenes to determine the cause and origin of fires, focusing on suspected arson cases.
  • Properly investigate the origin and circumstances of assigned fires and explosions and determine whether the event resulted from design carelessness or natural causes basedon nationally recognized standards.
• Evidence Collection:
  • Gather and preserve physical evidence, including photographs, samples, and witness statements, to support findings.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Perform administrative functions in accordance with policies and procedures, to include completing, reviewing and maintaining records and reports; and developing summary data reports, as required.
  • Provide expert testimony in court regarding findings and methodologies used in investigations.
• Training and Development:
  • Participate in training programs to enhance skills and maintain and/or pursue certifications in specific areas, such as project management, quality assurance, or technical specialties.
• Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Perform as a member of an Incident Management Team during emergency or disaster situations.
  • Maintain situational awareness of all HCFMO activities.
  • Serve on committees, boards, or other teams as assigned by the Fire Marshal or designee.
  • Perform assigned tasks safely, and report initial accidents, injuries, or health exposures in accordance with accepted safety practices and HCFMO policy.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail]

Education

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational program.

Licensures

• At the date of hire, possess a valid license driver’s license, State of Texas Class C Texas.
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Basic Peace Officer (or higher).

Notice

Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained, or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
• Open arrest for any criminal offense. (Felony or Misdemeanor)
• Family Violence conviction.

NOTE

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

• Associates or Bachelor's Degree.
• Previous experience as a TCFP Fire/Arson Investigator.
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and/or Master Arson Investigator.
• IAAI Fire Fire Investigator Technician (FIT)
• IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI)
• Within one (1) year of appointment, provide proof of completion for NIMS IS-700, IS-800, IS-100, IS-200, IS-300, IS-400.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Regular Full-time
• This position works 12-hour shifts on a rotating schedule: three (3) days on/four (4) days off, followed by four (4) days on/three (3) days off.
  • Schedule may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• The investigation division provides services 24/7.
  • Investigators are assigned a shift and rotate the first week of June each year.

Salary

• $44.21 - $55.08 Hourly
• Depends on Qualifications
  • Based on Harris County and the Harris County Fire Marshal's Law Enforcement Salary Structure and Policy | the applicant may receive up to five (5) years of service credit for prior TCOLE-commissioned, full-time service as a regular Peace Officer with a recognized law enforcement agency; If there is a break in service of more than 180 days and up to five (5) years within the employee’s verified experience, service credit will begin from the date the employee is commissioned as a Law Enforcement Officer with HCFMO.
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.