Fire Investigator Certified #2208-303210-01

The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 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.

Work involves the entire sequence of fire investigations from the original search of the fire scene through and including, when necessary, the interrogation of arson suspects, the developing of information for court and the presentation of evidence and testimony before the court.  Work orders are received in general form with the employee to develop exact work procedures and approaches within accepted legal and technical standards.  Public contact of a sensitive nature is involved.  Work is non-supervisory.

• Respond to fire incidents as required to investigate fires where arson is suspected, fires where a death has occurred and fires in which the origin and cause cannot be readily determined.
• Conduct comprehensive fire scene investigations.
• Search through debris. 
• Evaluate overall situation at fire scenes to determine fires origin and cause.
• Interview witnesses, suspects and others.
• Take photographs, collect physical evidence and prepare data.
• Develop and maintain information on all fires investigated.
• Work in cooperation with other officials to ensure case information is properly controlled and preserved.
• Work with multiple outside agencies as needed.
• Work in tandem with Police Arson Detectives to conduct follow up investigations, interviews and other related duties on cases determined to be arson to bring about a successful prosecution of the offender(s).
• Attend court hearings or trials when necessary to present evidence or testimony.
• Prepare standard and special reports to include, fire data reports, fire investigation reports, death or injury reports, evidence and laboratory reports. 
• Compile special reports upon request.

• Considerable knowledge of the causes of fires, the methods and procedures used in the investigation of fires and the ability to identify between arson and accidental fires.
• Knowledge and ability to keep abreast of new developments in the field of fire investigation.
• Ability to conduct systematic and effective fire scene investigations, including but not limited to the identification of physical evidence and the interview of witnesses, suspects and others.
• Ability to organize case materials and documentation.
• Ability to work with other agencies in conducting investigations and in deveolping evidence.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others in conducting investigations and in public information activities.
• Ability to prepare and maintain standard and special records and reports.

ADA and Other Requirements:

Positions in this class typically require grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Physical Requirements:

• Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical conditions necessary for sitting, standing, climbing or walking for extended periods of time.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying; some crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, and pulling when performing tasks.
• Adequate vision, hearing and speech required.

Sensory Requirements:

Concentrated and attentive use of one or more senses (visual, audio, and other sensory modalities) for proofreading, data entry and tabulating data.

• Ability to operate in an environment with frequent interruptions from people and/or noises, which in return could result in some level of stress, fatigue or strain.
• Comprehensive written information in work-related documents.
• Ability to hear, understand and distinguish speech.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an indoor or outdoor environment with moderate exposure to atmospheric conditions, moderate exposure to environmental conditions and frequent exposure to computer screens, files and phone.

Bachelor’s Degree is Preferred in Fire Science Technology or related field with 3 or more years of experience and training in fire origin and cause determination.  The International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) certification.

Completion of a two – year college curriculum with an Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology or related field preferred or any equivalent combination of experience and training in fire origin and cause determination. 

Possess the North Carolina Certified Fire Investigator (NC-CFI) certification or the International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) certification or able to obtain certification within first twelve months.

North Carolina Class “C” Driver’s License

As of October 1, 2021:

The City of Charlotte requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for any new City of Charlotte employees.  The city is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law. Proof of vaccination is NOT required until a candidate receives and accepts a Conditional Offer of employment, at which time the candidate will be advised that proof must be submitted to CFD HR prior to the first date of employment.

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.