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.

General Information

 

Typical Hours of Work:

 

• 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 6AM to 6PM on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday.
  • B-Shift works 6PM to 6AM on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and every other Saturday night.
  • C-Shift works 6AM to 6PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and every other Wednesday.
  • D-Shift works 6PM to 6AM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and every other Saturday night.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

Requirements

Licensures:

• At the date of hire, possess a valid driver’s license, State of Texas Class C. 

• 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.

• Associates' or Bachelor's Degree.
• 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.