Arson Investigation Unpaid Intern

Summary

Salary: $0.00 Hourly
Location : Downtown Fire Station #1 3401 University Ave, Riverside, CA
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: 26-MIP-01
Department: Various
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
The City of Riverside Fire Department is accepting applications for two (2) unpaid, part-time Arson Investigation Interns for Summer 2027.

The Fire Department internship provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in local government, public service, and community engagement. Interns work alongside fire investigators to support research, records review, documentation, and report preparation while learning about fire cause determination and arson investigative procedures.

Work Performed
Examples of Duties:

• Research
• Records Review
• Report Preparation

Skills:

• Detail oriented
• Inquisitive
• Interest in criminal justice, forensic science, or public safety
• Strong communication skills
• Professionalism
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Qualifications
Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Current student in Environmental Sciences or a closely related field
• California Baptist University students are a plus

Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Application
2)Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

PLEASE NOTE: FOR DIRECTIONS ON ATTACHING A DOCUMENT TO AN ON-LINE APPLICATION, OR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the department with the posted internship opportunity. Please be prepared to bring a copy of your resume, reference list and unofficial transcripts, should you be invited to interview.

If selected, a condition of the unpaid intern assignment will be to successfully pass a criminal background check prior to the start date.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability recruiting accommodation in the assessment process to contract the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Volunteer

The position of volunteer is unpaid and not entitled to receive benefits.
01

Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered. (*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions). Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02

Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• Currently attending High School
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03

Are you currently enrolled in an Environmental Science program, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you available to work between the hours of 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM.

• Yes
• No

05

Please indicate what days of the week and hours you are available to work.
06

Please describe your overall proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• None

07

Mark all the following that you have experience in.

• Basic office work such as record keeping, scanning, filing, answering phones and assisting visitors, collecting and tracking data, preparing reports and presentations, documenting data and reviewing forms, data entry and typing, and scheduling appointments or meetings
• Customer Service
• Light accounting such as invoicing, reconciling statements and receipts, purchase orders, and calculating and processing fee payments
• Data analysis, QA/QC processes and documentation
• Form creation (ADA and PDFs)
• Conduct research and surveys
• Website development
• Graphic Design
• Basic photography and/or videography
• Writing and posting social media content, and storytelling (Reels, TikTok, Shorts, etc.)
• Python, Arcade, or other scripting languages
• ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, or ArcGIS Enterprise; GIS principles
• Computer aided drafting and design; AutoCAD or other software
• None

08

Please indicate which department in the City of Riverside you are most interested in. (Select up to 3)

• No Preference
• Airport
• Arts & Culture
• City Attorney
• City Clerk
• City Manager's Office
• Community & Economic Development
• Finance
• Riverside Fire Department
• General Services
• Housing & Human Services
• Human Resources
• Innovation & Technology
• Library
• Marketing & Communications
• Mayor's Office
• Museum
• Riverside Police Department
• Parks & Recreation
• Public Utilities
• Public Works
• Non-Profit Community Service

09

I understand this is a part-time, non-benefitted, unpaid internship position and is not intended to replace any City employee but to complement the Department's existing efforts.

• I understand.

10

Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers and/or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question

Job Description

Salary: $0.00 Hourly
Location : Downtown Fire Station #1 3401 University Ave, Riverside, CA
Job Type: Internship
Job Number: 26-MIP-01
Department: Various
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
The City of Riverside Fire Department is accepting applications for two (2) unpaid, part-time Arson Investigation Interns for Summer 2027.

The Fire Department internship provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in local government, public service, and community engagement. Interns work alongside fire investigators to support research, records review, documentation, and report preparation while learning about fire cause determination and arson investigative procedures.

Work Performed
Examples of Duties:

• Research
• Records Review
• Report Preparation

Skills:

• Detail oriented
• Inquisitive
• Interest in criminal justice, forensic science, or public safety
• Strong communication skills
• Professionalism
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Qualifications
Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Current student in Environmental Sciences or a closely related field
• California Baptist University students are a plus

Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Application
2)Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

PLEASE NOTE: FOR DIRECTIONS ON ATTACHING A DOCUMENT TO AN ON-LINE APPLICATION, OR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the department with the posted internship opportunity. Please be prepared to bring a copy of your resume, reference list and unofficial transcripts, should you be invited to interview.

If selected, a condition of the unpaid intern assignment will be to successfully pass a criminal background check prior to the start date.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability recruiting accommodation in the assessment process to contract the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Volunteer

The position of volunteer is unpaid and not entitled to receive benefits.
01

Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered. (*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions). Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02

Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• Currently attending High School
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03

Are you currently enrolled in an Environmental Science program, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you available to work between the hours of 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM.

• Yes
• No

05

Please indicate what days of the week and hours you are available to work.
06

Please describe your overall proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• None

07

Mark all the following that you have experience in.

• Basic office work such as record keeping, scanning, filing, answering phones and assisting visitors, collecting and tracking data, preparing reports and presentations, documenting data and reviewing forms, data entry and typing, and scheduling appointments or meetings
• Customer Service
• Light accounting such as invoicing, reconciling statements and receipts, purchase orders, and calculating and processing fee payments
• Data analysis, QA/QC processes and documentation
• Form creation (ADA and PDFs)
• Conduct research and surveys
• Website development
• Graphic Design
• Basic photography and/or videography
• Writing and posting social media content, and storytelling (Reels, TikTok, Shorts, etc.)
• Python, Arcade, or other scripting languages
• ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, or ArcGIS Enterprise; GIS principles
• Computer aided drafting and design; AutoCAD or other software
• None

08

Please indicate which department in the City of Riverside you are most interested in. (Select up to 3)

• No Preference
• Airport
• Arts & Culture
• City Attorney
• City Clerk
• City Manager's Office
• Community & Economic Development
• Finance
• Riverside Fire Department
• General Services
• Housing & Human Services
• Human Resources
• Innovation & Technology
• Library
• Marketing & Communications
• Mayor's Office
• Museum
• Riverside Police Department
• Parks & Recreation
• Public Utilities
• Public Works
• Non-Profit Community Service

09

I understand this is a part-time, non-benefitted, unpaid internship position and is not intended to replace any City employee but to complement the Department's existing efforts.

• I understand.

10

Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers and/or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question