Fire Investigator

Sedgwick Claims Management Services Ltd; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

EFI Global, a leading engineering and forensic consulting firm, is seeking a qualified professional to investigate fires and determine origin and responsibility. You will handle investigations from customers, interview witnesses, gather evidence, and maintain rigorous client reporting.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with CFEI/CFI credentials preferred and at least three years of applicable experience. Occasional fieldwork and compliance with privacy laws are essential.

Qualifications

• Education & Licensing: Bachelor’s degree preferred; CFEI certification required; IAAI-CFI preferred with 6-month attainment window.
• Three years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Responsibilities

• Accepts assignments from customers for investigation of losses or claims.
• Determines origin and cause of the loss/claim and potential third-party responsibility.
• Maintains client reporting commitments per EFI procedures.
• Markets EFI services within the insurance industry and assigned territory.
• Interviews witnesses and gathers information pertinent to the incident under investigation.
• Develops knowledge to inspect public records (land deeds, mortgages, liens, etc.).
• Ensures investigations comply with privacy laws and ethics.

Skills

Good communication

MS Office

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Investigative skills

Attention to detail

Independent or team work

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFEI certification

IAAI-CFI certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

EFI Global is a full-service engineering, fire investigation, environmental, health and safety, and specialty consulting services firm serving a variety of industries in both the public and private sectors. Over the last four decades, we have grown from a boutique firm specializing in handling insurance fraud and arson cases and providing expert witness testimony, into a recognized global leader in engineering failure analysis, origin-and-cause investigations, environmental consulting, laboratory testing and specialty consulting. Our forensic investigation, engineering and environmental services teams around the world share a dedication to expertise, quality and demonstrating to customers that caring counts®. Each of our more than 700 professional engineers, fire investigators, architects and scientists was selected for their technical proficiency, in-depth industry knowledge and commitment to professional integrity. Together, our diverse backgrounds and collective insights empower clients to make better-informed business decisions. EFI’s combination of global solutions and local expertise has earned the firm a reputation for delivering timely responses that consistently meet our clients’ expectations—anytime, anywhere.

Click here to learn more about EFI Global.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

To investigate fire events to determine origin, cause, and responsibility in accordance with assignments from clients or assigned legal counsel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accepts assignments from customers for investigation of losses or claims and pursues investigation in accordance with the specific needs of the assignment.
• Determines the origin and cause of the loss/claim under investigation and identifies any potential third-party responsibility for subrogation potential.
• Maintains required reporting commitments to client in accordance with EFI’s standard procedures.
• Promotes and markets utilization of EFI services in the insurance industry and within assigned territory.
• Serves as a liaison between the insurance industry and law enforcement/fire service personnel.
• Investigates losses/claims with illegal, fraudulent or subrogation aspects in accordance with assignment from client or assigned attorney representing insurer.
• Identifies and interviews all witnesses or involved persons who may possess information or knowledge pertaining to incident under investigation: motive, opportunity or any other information or evidence that may assist in concluding a factual and complete investigation.
• Develops necessary knowledge and expertise required to conduct thorough inspection of available public records including land deeds, mortgages, liens, suits, judgments, marriage and divorce records, etc.
• Maintains up-to-date information in regard to existing laws pertaining to rights of privacy and availability of public records to assure that all investigations are conducted in a completely legal and ethical manner.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Travels as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Licensing
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
Minimum certification requirement for consideration, Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI).
IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) certification is preferred. Will be required to obtain the IAAI-CFI certification within 6 months of employment.

Experience
Three (3) years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Skills & Knowledge

• Good oral and written communication
• PC literate, including Microsoft Office products
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good analytical and interpretive skills
• Strong investigative skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment
• Ability to meet or exceed Performance Competencies

WORK ENVIRONMENT

When applicable and appropriate, consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations.

Mental: Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines.

Physical: Must be able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time. Must be able to kneel, squat or bend. Must be able to work outdoors in hot and/or cold weather conditions. Have the ability to climb, crawl, stoop, kneel, reaching/working overhead, Be able lift/carry up to 50 pounds Be able to push/pull up to 100 pounds. Be able to drive up to 4 hours per day.

Auditory/Visual: Hearing, vision and talking.

Sedgwick provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in jurisdictions requiring pay transparency in job postings. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide range of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and cost of specific location. For the jurisdiction noted in this job posting only, the range of starting pay for this role is $70,000-$85,000.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, 401k and matching, PTO, disability and life insurance, employee assistance, flexible spending or health savings account, and other additional voluntary benefits.

The statements contained in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a colleague assigned to this description. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of functions, duties, or local variances. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.

The statements contained in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a colleague assigned to this description. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of functions, duties, or local variances. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.

Sedgwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.

Our business is founded on people with the best technical skills and outstanding industry knowledge and we strive to employ and retain exceptional talent. EFI Global is an equal opportunity employer welcoming applications from all qualified persons.