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 entry, and tabulating data.
Ability to operate in an environment with frequent interruptions from people and/or noises, which in return could result in some level of stress, fatigue, or strain.
Comprehensive written information in work-related documents.
Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an indoor or outdoor environment with moderate exposure to atmospheric conditions, moderate exposure to environmental conditions and frequent exposure to computer screens, files, and phone.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Completion of a two – year college curriculum with an associate degree in Fire Science Technology or related field preferred or any equivalent combination of experience and training in fire origin and cause determination.
Possess the North Carolina Certified Fire Investigator (NC-CFI) certification or able to obtain certification within first twelve months.
North Carolina Class “C” Driver’s License
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION
Bachelor’s Degree is Preferred in Fire Science Technology or related field with 3 or more years of experience and training in fire origin and cause determination. The International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) certification.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.
Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.
The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.
Our culture is to serve the community honorably.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.
You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.
For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email [email protected]
The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.
BENEFITS
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.
Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.