Canine Handler/Special Agent (Arson Investigator Ii) - Winnebago County

Agency: Office of the State Fire Marshal
Closing Date/Time: 11/30/2023
Salary: $5,697 - $8,007 Monthly CBA language applies OR Anticipated Starting Salary for Non-State $5,697
Job Type: Salaried Full Time
County: Winnebago
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: RC029
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.
Recommend uploading resume, but not required.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
Posting Identification Number
#32768
This position requires certification as an Arson Investigator by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
Please upload a copy of your certification to the Additional Documents Section of the application for verification.
This position requires the selected candidate to live in Winnebago County
(or a contigent county)within 6-months of hire.
Position Marketing Statement
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is accepting applications to fill the position of Arson Investigator II - Canine Handler/Special Agent. The successful candidate has obtained significant experience conducting effective and efficient arson investigations and must possess the ability to make quick decisions in situations of high uncertainty. The candidate will serve as a trained ARSON INVESTIGATOR and canine handler in the determination of cause, origin, and circumstances of fires suspected of arson. The ideal candidate possesses good communication skills and the ability to professionally interact with the general public. As an Arson Investigator II - Canine Handler/Special Agent and employee of the State of Illinois, the selected candidate will have access to state healthcare, benefits, and a pension plan. We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join the OSFM team.
Job Responsibilities

1. Serves as a certified canine handler for arson investigations in an assigned area.
2. Travels to conduct complex and problematic investigations of suspicious fires and/or explosions to determine the cause and original to resolve perpetration.
3. Conducts a complete examination of the exterior of the fire involved structure including condition of doors and windows for possible forcible entry, discarded flammable liquid containers, footprints, exterior area of heaviest burn, and type of ventilation.
4. Conducts examination of electrical system including appliances, wiring, outlets, connections, and meters to determine if such systems were the cause of the fire or a contributing factor.
5. Creates photographs and videography of the fire scene, including before and after debris removal, evidence of containers, trailers, flammable liquid burn patterns, fire travel, and destruction patterns.
6. Prepares documentation to prove how the arson was committed, the materials used and ignited, prove the intent and motive, person(s) responsible, analyze available data to identify any trends or patterns involved; such as, day of week, time of day, methods used, area where fire originated, and any possible connection with other fires on local, county, state, or national level.
7. Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education including coursework in fire science, fire science administration, law, forensic science, criminal justice, or criminology.
2. Requires certification as an Arson Investigator by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
3. Requires one of the following: A) Requires successful completion of training as an Arson Investigator Trainee and two (2) years of full-time professional experience as a criminal investigator, forensic fire investigator, or professional fire investigator experience OR B) Requires three (3) years of full-time professional experience as a criminal investigator, forensic fire investigator, or professional fire investigative experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers more than three (3) years of professional experience as a criminal investigator, forensic fire investigator, or professional fire investigative experience.
• Prefers three (3) or more years of experience in the proper collection, maintenance, and storage of evidence.
• Prefers certification as a Lead Homicide Investigator through an accredited institution.
• Prefers certification as a Firearms Range Officer through an accredited institution.
• Prefers a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a K9 handler.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience maintaining comprehensive data and investigation reports in the Bomb and Arson Tracking System (BATS).
• Prefers two (2) or more years in the utilization of MS Word, Excel, and Outlook or other software programs.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid, appropriate, and current driver's license.
2. Requires the ability to pass a background check.
3. Requires the ability to travel statewide with overnight stays as appropriate.
4. Requires the ability to pass drug screening.
5. Requires the ability to commit to and provide necessary and appropriate care and training of assigned canine partners through continued recertification.
6. Requires 24-hour availability of canine handlers and their dogs.
7. Requires ability to qualify for a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card.
8. Requires ability to pass physical agility test at time of potential hire and an acceptable level of physical fitness be maintained in accordance with agency standards.
9. Requires ability to satisfy all continuing education or recertification requirements mandated by statute, rule, or the OSFM.
10. Overtime is a condition of employment and you may be requested to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
11. This position is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)). Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Work Hours: 8:30AM - 5:00PM / Monday - Friday
Work Location: Home based - Winnebago County
Agency Contact:
Kathy Fairfield
Phone #: 217-785-6746
Email: sfm.hr@illinois.gov
Job Family: Public Safety
This position DOES NOT contain "Specialized Skills" (as that term is used in CBAs).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the "Apply" button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees - a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the "View Profile" link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com - click "Application Procedures" in the footer of every page of the website.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail", "spam", or "other" folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com