Lieutenant, Fire Investigator

DESCRIPTION

Conducts examinations of fire episodes and performs work of a highly specialized and technical nature by accomplishing the facilitation of accurate fire origin and cause determination within the guidelines of local, state, and federal codes, rules and regulations. Reports to the Fire Marshal or other designated person and works with co-workers, state agencies, law enforcement personnel, and the public to provide a high level of safety and security to the public and firefighters.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Examines fire scenes, including structure and vehicle incidents, to determine origin and cause. Documents incident scenes; identifies, examines, collects, and processes evidence.
• Conducts interviews of witnesses, victims, and suspects. Writes detailed reports, assist with preparing search and arrest warrants. Prepares case files for prosecution and testifies in court as necessary.
• Communicate with Command Staff, Sheriff Department, and others as it relates to origin, cause, and/or investigation. Generates files and documents as required.
• Provide training related to fire investigation at state and local level.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: High School Diploma or GED {Please note: Upon job offer, you will be required to provide proof of education. Be sure to have the appropriate documents readily available.}

Experience: Serving as a current Augusta Fire Department Sergeant, with six (6) years of fire service experience or ten (10) years of experience performing fire investigations or law enforcement investigations for a similar sized department or entity with three (3) years as a Sergeant preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of modern fire investigation techniques, fire science and terminology, criminal and civil law, search and seizure laws, basic profiling skills, and psychology.
• Familiarity with fire and related codes, law enforcement procedures, applicable state and federal codes, courtroom procedures, and photography.
• Proficiency in surveillance, criminal interrogation and interview techniques, evidence collection and handling, fire chemistry, fire suppression, explosives, building design, material and construction, applying investigative techniques and interpreting results.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• May supervise and/or train designated subordinate department personnel.
• Travel required from office to other locations on a regular basis.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral
• Strong supervisory skills
• Strong people skills

Licensing/Certification:

• Must possess Fire Investigator Certification
• Possession of a valid driver's license with good driving history. If State license is other than Georgia or South Carolina, applicant must obtain a license in Georgia or South Carolina within 30 days of employment.
• Possess or have ability to obtain a valid state operator/driver's license for the type vehicle or equipment operated.
• Must obtain CPR, NPQ Fire Instructor I, and NPQ Fire Inspector I within one (1) year of hire date. POST mandated is preferred.
• Possess or have ability to meet current requirements set forth by the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Act.

OTHER

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES:

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.
• Equipment: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Verbal: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
• Math: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in critical and/or unexpected situations involving high risk to the organization.
• Physical Abilities: Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds). Possess or have the ability to meet current fitness requirements set forth by NFPA 1582.
• Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
• Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, explosives, water hazards, or disease.