Fire Investigator

The Position

Bargaining Unit: IAFF Local 1230
Location: Pittsburg, CA
Hybrid/Remote: No
Work Schedule: Work two 24-hour shifts, off four days, back on two 24-hour shifts, repeat

Ranking among the larger California fire agencies, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is a well-equipped, full-service fire agency. The District is an "all-hazards" organization providing fire suppression, First Responder Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical services as well as 911 emergency ambulance transport services, technical rescue, marine firefighting, water rescue, Type II Hazardous Materials Response team, heavy fire equipment program, fire prevention, and fire investigation services to nine cities and county unincorporated areas. The District serves a population of over .770,000 residents in 12 cities and many defined unincorporated communities across our over 550 square mile jurisdiction.

Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the Fire Prevention Bureau provides the highest levels of service through its five divisions including Code Enforcement, Engineering, Fire Investigations, Exterior Hazard Control, and Public Education.

The Fire Investigation Unit is responsible for determining origin and cause of fires and the investigations of fire related incidents of both criminal and accidental nature, pursuant to the mandate for fire origin and cause determination as outlined in the Fire Code and California Health and Safety Code. The Unit works closely with other law enforcement personnel from our County and City agencies to effect the successful investigation, arrest, prosecution, and conviction of arsonists. The unit consist of one (1) Fire Prevention Captain, six (6) Fire Investigators (two on each shift A, B, and C), and a Clerk-Specialist.

The District is seeking to fill several Fire Investigator positions in the Fire Investigation Unit of the Fire Protection Bureau located in Pittsburg, CA. This position is currently assigned to a 56 hour schedule. Two Fire Investigators are assigned per shift, on A, B, or C shift. They work two consecutive twenty-four hour shifts, then off the next four consecutive days, then on two consecutive twenty-four hour shifts, then repeat (two days on, four days off, two days on, etc.)

We are looking for someone who:

• Is dedicated to public safety
• Has the highest morale and ethical values
• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Is physically fit to endure strenuous physical work and long hours
• Enjoys working independently and as an integral part of teams
• Is self-motivated

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Investigating to determine causes of suspicious or significant fires or incidents
• Gathering and evaluating physical evidence
• Conducting interviews
• Processing complex crime scenes
• Collaborating with District Attorney to prepare cases for trial
• Providing expert testimony in court
• Coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, apprehend and prosecute arsonists

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will provide important investigative service to the public
• Continuous opportunity to learn and grow
• Being a member of a small cohesive team

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Juggling multiple priorities with limited time
• Working in challenging physical environments
• Performing arduous work while wearing required protective equipment, including SCBA
• Dealing with difficult and/or emotional people

Competencies Required:

• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims

Read the complete job description at www.cccounty.us/hr.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for 12 months.

Typical Tasks

• Investigates and attempts to determine the origin and causes of suspicious and/or large loss fires, false alarms, explosions, fires of incendiary origin and fire injuries or deaths
• Collects and preserves physical evidence in fire investigations
• Conducts investigations of property records, insurance records, and interviews witnesses and suspects
• Conducts criminal investigations related to fire and/or explosions and makes arrest when appropriate
• Prepares fire offense cases for trial and presents evidence in court
• Writes reports based on field notes; obtains criminal complaints; confers with district attorneys and prosecutors in preparing cases for court; testifies as an expert witness
• Investigates the cause of a fire; preserves evidence; interviews witnesses; interrogates suspects; issues citations for code violations or criminal conduct; makes physical arrests and serves warrants.
• May participates in local, state, and federal task forces
• Maintains proficiency with assigned firearms and safety equipment; performs routine maintenance of assigned equipment
• Enters fire investigation details into the fire incident reporting system
• Makes referral of juvenile fires to the Juvenile Fire Setter Program
• Instructs fire and police personnel on fire and arson investigation procedures
• Coordinates with law enforcement agencies in the detection, apprehension and prosecution of arsonists
• Serves as a member of the Off-Duty Standby Team for fire investigation recall
• May provide field training to other employees in the field of Fire Investigation
• Maintains required training in perishable skills
• May assist with Fire Prevention duties as assigned
• May work in IDLH areas or environments that are dangerous, hazardous, and/or subject to inclement weather and these environments may contain physical and health hazards that include but are not limited to carcinogenic dusts, toxic substances, smoke, inhalation hazards, dangerous walking surfaces, trip and fall hazards etc.
• Responds to emergency scenes as requested/directed and reports to the Incident Commander to provide technical assistance or investigation for origin and cause or performs other duties as assigned by the Incident Commander

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: An Associates Degree from an accredited college or university, or a Basic certificate from the Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training and accumulation of 60 college credits from an accredited college or university.

Successful completion of the California Fire Service Training and Education System (CFSTES) Fire Investigations 1A, 1B, and 1C

Successful completion of the California Peace Officers' Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certified Penal Code 832 Module A Training Program Arrest and Control as well as the Firearms portion. (This course includes information pertaining to laws and methods of arrest, search, and seizure and legal and safety aspects of firearm usage).

Experience:Two (2) years full time service within the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) in Fire Prevention or Fire Suppression; OR

Two (2) years of full-time experience as a Police Officer; OR

Two (2) years of full time service as a fire investigator working for a public or private fire investigation firm.

Other Requirements: Within 24 months of employment, appointees must complete Wild Land Fire Investigations (FI-210) and receive Certification as a Fire Investigator through the California Fire Service Training and Education System

Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

Age:Must be at least 21 years of age.

Physical Requirements: Ability to meet such health standards as are established by the County Medical Consultant.

Psychological Requirements: Ability to meet psychological evaluation standards, including written and oral psychological screening as specified in Section 1031 of the California Government Code.

NOTE: Prior to appointment, candidates are required to successfully pass the prescribed physical and psychological examinations.

Background: A permanent job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a thorough background investigation, including provisions specified in Sections 1031 and 1031.1 of the California Government Code. The background investigation also includes a criminal record investigation. Candidates shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, of any offense in any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state, or discharged from the military for committing an offense, as adjudicated by a military tribunal, which would have been a felony if committed in this state as defined by Cal. Gov. Code § 1029 . Disqualifying Factors: In addition to the definition of disqualifying criminal acts as defined by Cal. Gov. Code § 1029 , applicants who have engaged in “Serious Misconduct” as defined by Cal. Pen. Code § 13510.8 are ineligible to be employed as a peace officer in the State of California.

Firearms: Continued eligibility to possess, use, and carry firearms. Ability to meet and maintain departmental firearms qualifications standards. Free from any disqualifying factors that prevent or prohibit the possession, use, and carry of firearms.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.Structured Interview (exam): Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a structured interview examination. In the structured interview, candidates must achieve an overall average passing score 70% of higher. The interview will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the Fire Investigator classification. These may include, but are not limited to: Handling Stress, Professional Integrity & Ethics, Attention to Detail, Listening, Writing, General Physical Ability, Fact Finding, Building & Maintaining Relationships, Oral Communication, Professional & Technical Expertise, Legal & Regulatory Navigation and Critical Thinking.(Weighted 100%)

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.
The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.
For recruitment specific questions, please contact Holly Trieu at htrie@cccfpd.org. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 6/1/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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