Fire Investigator Senior #2404-303220-01

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 15th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 897,000 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.

Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.

• Assists Chief Fire Investigator with planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the City’s Fire Investigation Task Force.
• Supervises and directs fire investigators in the investigation of all fires including cases where arson is suspected. 
• Investigates fire origin by collecting and analyzing evidence from debris at fire scenes; interviews witness and deals effectively with the public.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of standard and special reports.
• Confers with city and other governmental officials and with representatives of other agencies and the media concerning assigned activities.
• Serve as assistant to the Chief Fire Investigator
• Assist with the planning, organization, and coordination of the Fire Investigation Task Force
• Coordinate job related training for all fire investigators
• Coordinate and organize fire investigators schedules, vacations, educational leave, etc., to always ensure adequate coverage for response to fire scenes
• Assign and ensure maintenance of all equipment assigned to each investigator
•  Ensure that all investigators’ reports are completed in the established time frame.
• Complete performance appraisals for each fire investigator
• Responsible for coordinating the fire investigators work schedules to ensure minimum staffing is always maintained.
• Attend meetings as directed by the Chief Fire Investigator and assume the responsibility for the division during the absence of the Chief Fire Investigator
• Performs related work as required.

• Thorough knowledge of the modern methods and procedures of fire investigation including evidence collection and preservation, fire cause and determination, interview and interrogation techniques, and proper court testimony and demeanor.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of arson investigation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal administration.
• Ability to plan, assign and review the work of the Fire Investigation Task Force through programs and plans.
• Ability to coordinate work with other agencies while directing systematic and effective investigations.
• Ability to effectively communicate with citizens and task force personnel in the administration of fire investigation activities.

• Thorough knowledge of the applicable local ordinance concerning unlawful burning and the general statutes of the State of North Carolina and the United States concerning arson, unlawful burning, and other related violations.
• Thorough experience in fire investigation activities, including supervisory experience
• Completion of a two – year college curriculum with an associate degree in fire science technology or applied science; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

High school graduation or equivalent and seven years relevant work experience

OR

Associate's Degree and five years relevant work experience

AND

Fire Investigator Certification (International Association of Arson Investigators - Certified Fire Investigator  IAAI-CFI certification)

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.