Fire Investigator

Date Opened: Thursday, April 30, 2026 12:00 AM

Close Date: Friday, May 15, 2026 12:00 AM

Department: Fire Department

Forensics & Investigations

Salary: $31.96 - $39.95 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

Work involves the entire sequence of fire investigations from the original search of the fire scene through and including, when necessary, the interrogation of arson suspects, the developing of information for court and the presentation of evidence and testimony before the court. Work orders are received in general form with the employee required to develop exact work procedures and approaches within accepted legal and technical standards. Public contact of a sensitive nature is involved. Work is nonsupervisory.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to fire incidents as required to investigate fires where arson is suspected, fires where a death has occurred, and fires in which the origin and cause cannot be readily determined; conducts comprehensive fire scene investigations; searches through debris; evaluates overall situation at fire scenes to determine fires origin and cause; interviews witnesses, suspects, and others; takes photographs, collects physical evidence, and prepares drawings.

• Develops and maintains information on all fires investigated; works in cooperation with other officials to ensure case information is properly controlled and preserved; works with multiple outside agencies as needed.

• Works in tandem with Police Arson Detectives to conduct follow up investigations, interviews and other related duties on cases determined to be arson to bring about a successful prosecution of the offender(s).

• Attends court hearings or trials when necessary to present evidence or testimony.

• Prepares standard and special reports; completes fire data reports, fire investigation reports; death or injury reports; evidence and laboratory reports; compiles special reports upon request.

• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of the causes of fires, the methods and procedures used in the investigation of fires, and the ability to identify between arson and accidental fires.

• Knowledge and ability to keep abreast of new developments in the field of fire investigation.

• Ability to conduct systematic and effective fire scene investigations, including but not limited to the identification of physical evidence and the interview of witnesses, suspects, and others.

• Ability to organize case materials and documentation.

• Ability to work with other agencies in conducting investigations and in developing evidence.

• Ability to effectively communicate with others in conducting investigations and in public information activities.

• Ability to prepare and maintain standard and special records and reports.

ADA and Other Requirements:

Positions in this class typically require grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Physical Requirements:

• Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical conditions necessary for sitting, standing, climbing, or walking for extended periods of time.

• Light to moderate lifting and carrying; some crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, pushing, and pulling when performing tasks.

• Adequate vision, hearing, and speech required.

Sensory Requirements:

Concentrated and attentive use of one or more senses (visual, audio, and other sensory modalities) for proofreading, data en