What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fire/Arson Investigator position at Harris County?
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 based
- on 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 (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net
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.
- Previous experience as a TCFP Fire/Arson Investigator OR
- Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and/or Master Arson Investigator.
- Within one (1) year of appointment, provide proof of completion for NIMS IS-700, IS-800, IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400.
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
Regular Full-time
48/36 Hours per Week
Various Shifts (Includes Nights, Weekends, and Holidays)
Schedule:
The investigation division provides services 24/7.
Investigators are assigned a shift and rotate the first week of June each year.
- A-Shift works 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday.
- B-Shift works 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and every other Saturday night.
- C-Shift works 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and every other Wednesday.
- D-Shift works 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and every other Saturday night.
Salary:
- $44.21 - $46.37 Hourly
- Depends on Qualifications
Based on Harris County and the Harris County Fire Marshal's Law Enforcement Salary Structure and Policy
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.
Salary : $44 - $46
