Fire/Arson Investigator | K-9 Canine Handler at Harris County – Houston, Texas

A Fire Investigator is certified to investigate the origin and cause of fires or explosions that threaten life, property, or the environment. The Fire Investigator reports to a supervisor and any management member and may work from either office or field location, depending on the work assignment. The incumbent has a working knowledge of recognized standards for fire investigations, fire inspections, fireworks, and fire and life safety hazards, including LGC. 352.016.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• K-9 Canine Handler:
  • Be capable of handling a highly motivated, active K-9 Canine.
  • Have a strong desire to work with a law enforcement scent-discrimination K-9 Canine.
  • Possess a willingness to care for and train the assigned K-9 Canine.
  • Understand and acknowledge the duties that are expected with the acceptance of a K-9 Canine partner.
• Investigation:
  • Conduct thorough investigations of fire scenes to determine the cause and origin of fires, focusing on suspected arson cases.
  • Properly investigate the origin and circumstances of assigned fires and explosions and determine whether the event resulted from design carelessness or natural causes based on nationally recognized standards.
• Evidence Collection:
  • Gather and preserve physical evidence, including photographs, samples, and witness statements, to support findings.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Perform administrative functions in accordance with policies and procedures, to include completing, reviewing and maintaining records and reports; and developing summary data reports, as required.
  • Provide expert testimony in court regarding findings and methodologies used in investigations.
• Training and Development:
  • Participate in training programs to enhance skills and maintain and/or pursue certifications in specific areas, such as project management, quality assurance, or technical specialties.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform as a member of an Incident Management Team during emergency or disaster situations.
• Maintain situational awareness of all HCFMO activities.
• Serve on committees, boards, or other teams as assigned by the Fire Marshal or designee.
• Perform assigned tasks safely, and report initial accidents, injuries, or health exposures in accordance with accepted safety practices and HCFMO policy.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

Experience and Experience:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution.
• Two (2) years of experience as an accelerant detection K-9 Canine handler with a fire investigator unit;

OR

• Five (5) years of experience as a full-time Fire/Arson Investigator.

OR

• Current HCFMO Fire/Arson Investigator assigned to the Fire Investigations Bureau.

Licensure:

• At the date of hire, possess a valid driver’s license, State of Texas Class C.

• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Basic Peace Officer (or higher).

• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), Advanced Arson Investigator.

NOTICE: Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained, or stored either manually or electronically (i.e., custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification:

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
• Open arrest for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor).
• Family Violence conviction.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

• Associates or Bachelor's Degree.
• Five (5) years of previous experience as a TCFP Fire/Arson Investigator.
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), Advanced Arson Investigator.
• Within one (1) year of appointment, provide proof of completion for NIMS IS-700, IS-800, IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, and ICS-400.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time

• Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.
  • K-9 Canine handlers are generally scheduled to work 35 hours per week and credited 5 hours per week for K-9 Canine care.
  • K-9 Canine handlers are subject to on-call and call out for canine team response as needed.
  • Includes Nights, Weekends, and Holidays.
  • The investigation division provides services 24/7.

K-9 Canine Care:

• K-9 Canine handlers must reside in a single-family residence with a privacy-fenced yard and sufficient space to kennel a K-9 Canine.
• If selected, the K-9 Canine handler must agree to site inspections of the home and kennel to ensure compliance with the HCFMO K-9 Canine Manual. ***(Prior to being assigned a K-9 Canine and as required by the HCFMO K-9 Canine Manual)
• The successful applicant will have to sign an initial 3-year Commitment contract regarding the terms to be assigned a K-9 Canine.

Salary:

• $44.21 - $47.52 Hourly | Depends on Qualifications
  • Based on Harris County and the Harris County Fire Marshal's Law Enforcement Salary Structure and Policy | The applicant may receive up to five (5) years of service credit for prior TCOLE-commissioned, full-time service as a regular Peace Officer with a recognized law enforcement agency; If there is a break in service of more than 180 days and up to five (5) years within the employee’s verified experience, service credit will begin from the date the employee is commissioned as a Law Enforcement Officer with HCFMO.
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.