Fire investigator job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Fire investigator in details. A complete job description concludes Fire investigator key duties/responsibilities, Fire investigator job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Fire investigator duties:

1. Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers such as bags, crates, or boxes, in order to protect them.
2. Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.
3. Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
4. Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
5. Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions in order to document investigation findings.
6. Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
7. Swear out warrants, and arrest and process suspected arsonists.
8. Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
9. Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
10. Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
11. Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
12. Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.

II. List of Fire investigator qualifications

1. Ideal candidate will possess a minimum of five (5) years as a Fire Investigator with a background in the forensic field and working directly with the insurance industry.
2. CFEI or CFI certification preferred.
3. Must be capable of obtaining CFEI, CFI and PI licenses.
4. 4 year college degree preferred.
5. Experience working with law firms is a plus.
6. Possess strong interpersonal skills to interact with clients and conduct business development.
7. Strong computer skills to include MS Office.
8. Must be able to travel and or work weekends & holidays. 

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.