Fire Investigation Unit Captain (Fire Prevention Captain)

Contra Costa County; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% monthly pay differential for Fire/

5% on-call pay for standby team

Job summary

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District seeks a Fire Investigation Unit Captain (Fire Prevention Captain) stationed in Pittsburg, CA. The role leads complex fire investigations, coordinates with County and City agencies, and maintains the integrity of investigative records for legal proceedings.

The candidate must meet extensive certifications, training, and experience requirements, including advancing from Fire Investigator or Fire Prevention Captain roles.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of full-time experience as a Fire Investigator in the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, or two (2) years experience as a Fire Prevention Captain in the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, or five (5) years experience as a full‑time public fire investigator involving the full scope of arson investigation, including writing and service of warrants and making arrests, or five (5) years of sworn law enforcement experience with a police department or sheriff's office.

Responsibilities

• Leading and overseeing complex fire investigations
• Coordinating investigations with other County or City agencies
• Providing technical and investigative expertise
• Maintaining the integrity of evidence and investigative records and preparing cases for legal proceedings
• Reviewing investigation reports and findings
• Supervising fire investigators, implementing unit priorities and assigning work
• Overseeing station operations

Job description

The Position

Bargaining Unit: IAFF Local 1230
Shift: Standard 40-hour work week with possible overtime
Stationed in: Pittsburg, CA

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is recruiting to fill one (1) position for Fire Investigation Unit Captain (Fire Prevention Captain).

In addition to the base salary, the position may also receive the following:

• 15% monthly pay differential for Fire Prevention Captain
• 5% on-call pay for participation in the Fire Investigation Off-Duty Standby Team

Why should you join Contra Costa County Fire Protection District?

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is seeking an experienced, motivated, and highly engaged person to join our team as a Fire Investigation Unit Captain (Fire Prevention Captain).

The Fire Prevention Bureau provides the highest level of fire prevention services through comprehensive inspections and code enforcement, plan review and engineering services, public education, fire investigations, and exterior hazard control to ensure properties are properly constructed in accordance with local and state codes.

The Fire Prevention Bureau provides fire prevention services to our citizens who live or work in the cities of Antioch, Clayton, Concord, Lafayette, Hercules, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Pinole, Pittsburg, San Pablo, Walnut Creek, Brentwood, Oakley, including the unincorporated communities of north Alamo, Bay Point, Clyde, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Montalvan Manor, North Richmond, Pacheco, Rodeo, Tara Hills, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, Knightsen and Byron.

The Community Risk Reduction Unit provides a long list of valuable programs to the public to promote and teach fire safety to all ages through a variety of delivery methods. The Unit’s programs range from teaching kindergarteners how to “Stop, Drop and Roll” to assisting senior citizens how to recognize and eliminate hazards in their home. This unit also performs Exterior Hazard Control inspections in both public and private properties for compliance with Fire District weed abatement standards, which were established through local ordinance. The purpose is to limit the potential sources of fuel for fire through abatement of combustible rubbish and vegetation to create “defensible space” around properties to would allow firefighters to effectively stop fires from spreading from open space areas to homes and properties. The District works proactively with other agencies throughout the County, including Fire Safe Councils, to reduce the threat of wildfire in the communities we service.

The Fire Investigation Unit is responsible for determining origin and cause of fires and the investigations of fire related incidents of both criminal and accidental nature, pursuant to the mandate for fire origin and cause determination as outlined in the Fire Code and California Health and Safety Code. The Unit works closely with other law enforcement personnel from our County and City agencies to effect the successful investigation, arrest, prosecution, and conviction of arsonists.

We are looking for someone who is:

• An experienced fire investigator and a strong leader
• Analytical, methodical and detail-oriented
• Decisive and objective
• A strong communicator
• Committed to investigative integrity and public safety

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Leading and overseeing complex fire investigations
• Coordinating investigations with other County or City agencies
• Providing technical and investigative expertise
• Maintaining the integrity of evidence and investigative records and preparing cases for legal proceedings
• Reviewing investigation reports and findings
• Supervising fire investigators, implementing unit priorities and assigning work
• Overseeing station operations

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Your work will have a direct public safety impact
• You will solve unique, complex problems and cases
• You will lead, develop and mentor a highly skilled team of fire investigators

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Managing investigations involving fatalities or serious injuries, while maintaining professionalism and objectivity
• Coordinating with multiple agencies with competing interests
• Managing fire investigators with different backgrounds, experience levels and perspectives

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to twelve (12) months.

License Required:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Education:

An Associate Degree from an accredited college or university.

Certificate and Training Requirements for assignment to the Fire Investigation Unit:

1. FEMA Courses ICS-100, ICS-200, IS‑700, IS‑800
2. Successful completion of the California Peace Officers' Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Penal Code 832 Arrest Course
3. Successful completion of the California Peace Officers' Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Penal Code 832 Firearms Course.and
4. For external candidates only: Certification as a Fire Investigator through the California Fire Service Training and Education System

Within 12 Months of appointment, appointees must satisfactorily complete the following:

1. CFSTES Course: Company Officer 2A

Within 24 Months of appointment, appointees must satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Wildland Fire Investigations (FI-210)
2. Certification as a Fire Investigator through the California Fire Service Training and Education System
3. International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator

Ongoing maintenance of certification(s) is required.

Experience requirements for assignment to the Fire Investigation Unit:

Three (3) years of full-time experience as a Fire Investigator in the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, or two (2) years experience as a Fire Prevention Captain in the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, or five (5) years experience as a full‑time public fire investigator involving the full scope of arson investigation, including writing and service of warrants and making arrests, or five (5) years of sworn law enforcement experience with a police department or sheriff's office.

Other Requirements for all assignments:

Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

Age: Must be at least 21 years of age.

Physical Requirements: Ability to meet such health standards as are established by the County Medical Consultant.

Psychological Requirements: Ability to meet psychological evaluation standards, including written and oral psychological screening as specified in Section 1031 of the California Government Code.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience leading complex or high-profile fire investigations
• Experience testifying in court as a subject-matter expert
• Advanced knowledge of NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033
• Experience with forensic evidence and investigative technology
• Experience supervising, mentoring and training fire investigators
• Experience conducting joint investigations with law enforcement
• Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills during high-stress and emotionally charged situations.

NOTE:

Prior to appointment, candidates are required to successfully pass the prescribed physical and psychological examinations.

Background:

A permanent job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a thorough background investigation, including provisions specified in Sections 1031 and 1031.1 of the California Government Code. The background investigation also includes a criminal record investigation. Candidates shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, of any offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state, or discharged from the military for committing an offense, as adjudicated by a military tribunal, which would have been a felony if committed in this state as defined by Cal. Gov. Code § 1029. Disqualifying Factors: In addition to the definition of disqualifying criminal acts as defined by Cal. Gov. Code § 1029, applicants who have engaged in “Serious Misconduct” as defined by Cal. Pen. Code § 13510.8 are ineligible to be employed as a peace officer in the State of California.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Contra Costa County is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in its employment practices. If you believe you may anticipate needing reasonable accommodation, please visit our job seeker resources page at:

Special Testing Accommodations | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website