Fire Investigator

Under limited supervision, performs arson investigations; enforces and maintains compliance with laws and regulations governing fire safety; conducts annual re-checks of buildings and premises to ensure compliance with fire prevention standards; ensures new buildings and business are in compliance with code requirements for fire and life safety; may perform related duties as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Which are not in any hierarchical order)

1. Inspects residential, commercial and industrial installations and equipment in new and old buildings for compliance with fire and life safety regulations.

2. Receives and investigates complaints of fire hazards and alleged violations of fire regulations; obtains evidence of violations; secures warrants and assists in the preparation of cases for court action.

3. Inspects for compliance with fire or life safety standards involving type of occupancy, type of construction, height, and square footage of building; hazardous materials and processes, vertical and horizontal separations, alarm systems, smoke detectors, means of egress, and extinguishments requirements.

4. Attends/participates in job related training/seminars to maintain certifications and/or enhance job performance.

5. Participates in meetings with architects, engineers, permit applicants, design professionals, contractors and affected agencies to determine applicability of fire codes or regulations.

6. Prepares and completes accurate deficiency reports for building owners/managers to indicate code violations and provides code validated correction methods, systems and or devices and suggests remedies for correction.

7. Assumes control of fire scenes and provides for the security of evidence until completion of the investigation.

8. Prepares investigation reports.

9. Responds as necessary as part of the “on call” rotation at the direction of the Fire Marshal

10. Performs minor review of building plans and specifications for compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.

11. Notifies owners when deficiencies and/or code violations are found; makes recommendations on methods of correction and compliance; sets up re-inspections to insure compliance.

12. Testifies in the proper court of jurisdiction concerning violations found and not corrected.

13. Plans, prepares, conducts and attends public safety educational outreaches as needed or assigned.

14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Depending on qualifications the starting salary for this position will be in the range of (Pay Grade 59):

Minimum Range Midpoint Range
$29.66 $37.08

Excellent Benefits!

High school diploma or GED (education will be verified using the “Education Requirements” listed below) and one (1) year of experience involving public contact is required, or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Six (6) months of experience in the construction trade is preferred.

Florida State Certification as Fire Safety Inspector I is required. Florida State Certification as a Fire Investigator I, Fire Investigator II, Fire Investigator, or other equivalent Fire Investigator certification(s), is required or the ability to obtain such certification within one (1) year from the date of employment.

This position requires FEMA certifications for IS-100.B (Introduction to Incident Command System); IS-200.B ICS (Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents); IS-700.A (National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction); and IS-800.B (National Response Framework, An Introduction).

A current and valid Florida driver's license is required. For application purposes, a valid driver's license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized; with the ability to obtain the State of Florida driver's license within thirty (30) days from date of employment.

Education Requirements: To be considered valid (orverified) for position qualification purposes, and consistent with City HiringPolicy 4-5, a High School, GED or equivalent diploma, and all higher educationdegrees or certifications must have been issued by:

• a public education institution in the State of Florida or any State or Territory of the United States; or
• an institution accredited by an accrediting organization that is recognized by the Florida Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Education; or
• an institution that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• an institution whose degree or certification is accepted by institutions identified in either a), b), or c), above, for the purpose of admission to institutions identified in either a), b), or c) above.

International degrees will be evaluated to determine ifthey satisfy qualification requirements.

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  Have not lost any driving privileges by reason of revocation, suspension or denial of license, or have been convicted and/or had an adjudication withheld of three or more moving violations or,

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  Have not had one DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in any preceding twenty-four (24) month period. License suspension of two weeks or less or suspensions based only on non-moving violations that have been cleared will not automatically result in revocation of driving privileges.

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  Have not had more than one DUI (conviction or adjudication withheld) in Florida or any other state within the past ten (10) years.