Salary: $23.08 – $30.00 Hourly
Location : Cumming, GA
Job Type: Part-time Regular
Job Number: 02804
Department: Fire Department-Administration
Opening Date: 05/24/2023
Closing Date: 7/24/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Position Information
The purpose of this classification is to perform technical and administrative/specialized functions associated with the investigation of fire related incidents, allegations of employee misconduct, and pre-employment background screening processes.
Job Summary
Enforces all county fire codes, ordinances and fire laws and regulations of the state in order to protect life and property; complies with all rules, orders, and instructions issued by superior officer. Investigates and evaluates fires and fire scenes to determine the point of origin and causes of fires and explosions for which the cause is unknown or from which an injury or death occurred.
Photographs and sketches fire scenes, interprets burn patterns; performs surveillance as needed. Collects, procures, protects, examines, and documents evidence taken from fire scene for lab analysis; maintains proper chain-of-custody.
Organizes information and develops clues which may lead to obtaining arrest or search warrants; swears out warrants for arrest of suspected arsonists; serves warrants and makes arrests as appropriate.
Conducts interviews with witnesses and suspects; questions law enforcement officials; processes and interrogates suspects that are in custody as a result of careful investigation.
Determines the financial condition of owner, tenants and leases of the damaged property including ascertaining insurance coverage.
Compiles investigation results, determines probable causes of fire, and reports results to superiors; enforces violations of state law, county law, and county ordinances that are identified as a result of an investigation.
Prepares case documentation; serves as witness in court cases; provides expert testimony based on investigation results and professional experience; provides depositions and testifies in civil court cases.
Maintains contact with court and law enforcement officials, other county officials, and general public to obtain, clarify, or find facts of information.
Cooperates with law enforcement and insurance companies to investigate reports of fires and stolen flammable materials; investigates false alarms in cooperation with Police and/or Sheriff’s Office.
Provides guidance to and serves as resource person for other Fire Investigators and investigator trainees working fire/arson investigations.
Instructs training courses as required; trains investigators in progressive fire investigation methods and new investigative technology; provides training to other Fire Department personnel.
Assists with coordinating salvage, overhaul, and other activities associated with the Incident Command System, Investigation Sector.
Responds to fire, rescue, and emergency calls as needed; assists with removing individuals from dangerous/hazardous situations, performing all activities necessary to suppress/extinguish fires, assessing emergency medical problems, and performing prescribed treatment as outlined and authorized under state guidelines.
Conducts pre-employment background investigations; assists Internal Affairs with investigations involving personnel misconduct, complaints, inquiries, or other incidents as needed.
Maintains current field and code manuals, policy and procedures, employee handbooks, various maps, addresses, and related material for reference and/or review.
Attends meetings, seminars, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate; serves on various task forces affiliated with fire/arson investigations.
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations; stays abreast of technology, trends, and industry standards to enhance fire investigation and arson determination skills.
Prepares and completes a variety of forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence, and various other documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; reviews, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; maintains inspection and administrative records and files.
Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and its officers or representatives when activities are related to investigations within county jurisdiction.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
This classification is designated as a safety sensitive position which is subject to random drug and alcohol testing and any other drug testing methods as stated in policies adopted by Forsyth County concerning drug and alcohol.
Maintains personal fitness and appearance to comply with uniform requirements and department guidelines and regulations.
Performs miscellaneous duties including maintaining cleanliness of department vehicle, assisting with minor vehicle repair and maintenance, general housekeeping and station cleaning, and basic grounds maintenance.
Answers the telephone; provides information, advice and guidance; takes and relays messages and/or direct calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.
Substitutes for co-workers in temporary absence of same; provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed. May be required to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays as deemed necessary. Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Vocational/Technical degree from an accredited college or university with training emphasis in Fire Science and investigation; supplemented by three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes arson investigation, fire/building inspection, fire service management, fire safety, prevention, and suppression methods; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and/or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) including appropriate level/endorsement(s).
Must meet all promotional eligibility requirements and certifications.
May be required to attain and maintain valid Georgia Fire Academy certifications which are accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and/or Georgia state licenses including Firefighter I, First Responder, Georgia certified Fire-Arson Investigator, Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) as a Police Officer, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certifications.
May be required to pass a background investigation and obtain and maintain a GCIC/NCIC certification.
May be required to attain and maintain additional certifications, such as an additional Firefighter level, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Paramedic, Fire Investigation Officer, Fire Prevention Officer, Hazardous Materials, and/or other certifications, specific to assigned unit.
Supplemental Information
FIRE INVESTIGATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Fire Investigators may also be required to access fingerprint/criminal history reports; conduct background investigations as part of the pre-employment Fire Department recruiting process; and conduct Fire Department internal affairs investigations involving allegations of personnel misconduct, complaints, inquiries, or other incidents as needed. In addition, Fire Investigators may be required to qualify with approved firearms in accordance with standards established by the department and the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
A thorough background investigation and a polygraph examination, and/or other deception detection testing, will be required for all candidates who are selected to continue in the pre-employment process. Although not required for the submission of the initial application, candidates must be prepared to submit the below listed documents to the Forsyth County Fire Investigation Unit if selected to continue in the pre-employment process.
- Social Security card.
- Certified copy of your birth certificate or present a valid U.S. Passport for inspection and copying.
- A copy of your high school diploma, certified high school transcripts OR state issued GED.
- If you are a college graduate, a copy of your college diploma or a certified copy of your college transcripts.
- If you are a Military Veteran, a copy of page 4 of your DD214.
- A valid driver’s license (not a copy).
- A certified driver’s license history (MVR) for the past seven (7) years. Georgia MVR records are available online at or at a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office. Online requests for a certified Georgia MVR will require the document to be mailed and this may delay receipt.
NOTE: If you have had driver’s licenses in any state other than Georgia during the past seven (7) years, you must also provide your certified driver’s history (MVR) from those states.
- If you have any Fire or Peace Officer Certifications, provide copies of certificates or certified transcript.
BENEFITS PROVIDED BY FORSYTH COUNTY TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES:
Personal Leave Accrual
Personal leave shall be accrued as follows:
0 – 4 Years – 20 days per year – 6.16 hours per pay period
5 – 14 Years – 25 days per year – 7.70 hours per pay period
15+Years – 30 days per year – 9.24 hours per pay period
Observed Holidays
New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving (2), and Christmas (2).
Medical Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers employees a choice of two medical plans offered by Aetna and a plan offered by Kaiser Permanente.
- Aetna Choice POS II – $2000 Individual Deductible (Basic Plan)
- Aetna Choice POS II – $1000 Individual Deductible (Plus Plan)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO- $0 Individual Deductible
Dental Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners offers two dental plans from Delta Dental:
- Base $1,000 Plan
- Buy-Up $1,500 Plan
Vision Insurance
The vision plan offered by Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is administered by Aetna and will offer office visit copays for exams, as well as copays for lenses, frames, and contacts.
Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of basic life insurance for all of its employees. The Board provides term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) protection for each full-time employee. This is a County-paid benefit.
Disability Insurance – Short Term and Long Term
100% paid by Forsyth County. Eligibility begins date of hire.
Short Term Disability – 60% of weekly earnings to a maximum of $1,000.00 a week. Eligibility begins 14 days after an accident or sickness and has a benefit period of 24 weeks.
Long Term Disability – 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum of $5,000.00 a month. Eligibility begins at 26 weeks to coordinate with the end of Short Term benefits and continues 24 months (Own Occupation).
Additional Life Insurance and AD&D
Rates vary based on amount of coverage selected. Additional life insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse, and children.
Retirement Plan (401K)
Fully vested at five years of employment – 20% graduated vesting annually. Eligible to begin contributions immediately upon hire.
6 mos to 3 yrs – County matches 100% of a max 5% of employee gross contributions
3 yrs to 10 yrs – County contributes 5% of base salary & County matches 100% of a max of 5% of gross employee contributions
Over 10 yrs – County contributes 5% base & County matches 100% of a max of 5% of gross employee contributions & County matches 50% of next 5% of gross employee contributions
01
Do you have a high school diploma or a G.E.D?
- Yes
- No
02
Have you undergone a polygraph examination within the past 2 years? If yes, where was the examination given and for what purpose?
03
Over a period of time, the duties and responsibilities of a position will tend to change. This may arise from technological changes or changes in the department policies and procedures. Are you willing to accept changes in the duties and responsibilities with the position for which you have applied?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have a valid driver’s license?
- Yes
- No
05
Are you certified as a Peace Officer by the state of Georgia?
- Yes
- No
06
Are you certified as a Firefighter by the state of Georgia?
- Yes
- No
07
Have you ever tried or used an illegal drug (according to GA Law) or a prescription medication not personally prescribed to you?
- Yes
- No
08
If you answered “Yes” to question #5, please list the drug or medication (not personally prescribed to you) that you tried or used, and the most recent date tried or used. If you answered “No” to question #5 then enter “NA”.
09
Have you ever been involved in the illegal distribution and/or manufacture of an illegal drug or prescribed medication?
- Yes
- No
10
If you answered “Yes” to question #7, please list the drug and/or prescribed medication and the most recent date you illegally distributed and/or manufactured said substance. If you answered “No” to question #7 then enter “NA”.
11
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
- Yes
- No
12
Have you ever been arrested?
- Yes
- No
13
At this time, do you have any criminal charges pending against you, including but not limited to traffic citations or domestic violence?
- Yes
- No
14
If you are a military veteran, were you subject to punishment under the UCMJ?
- Yes
- No
15
Do you have an employment application currently pending with any other fire department or law enforcement agency?
- Yes
- No
16
Within the past two years, have you applied for employment with any other fire department for which you were not hired due to information disclosed during a background investigation?
- Yes
- No
17
Fire Investigators may be required to respond to scenes during and after normal business hours. Are you willing and able to work weekends and holidays if needed?
- Yes
- No
18
Do you have any experience investigating complaints/internal affairs incidents?
- Yes
- No
19
Do you have any experience conducting pre-employment background investigations?
20
Do you have any experience investigating fire scenes?
- Yes
- No
21
Please write a short statement, in your own words, as to why you would like to work for the Forsyth County Fire Department.
Required Question