Fire Prevention Specialist/Arson Investigator

Summary

Essential Functions/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
In order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees.

• Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.
• Contribute to a positive work culture.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.
• Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
• Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.

• Performs duties across multiple functional areas of the Fire Prevention Division, including inspections, engineering (plan review), and investigations, as assigned.
• Locates, interprets, and applies fire and life safety codes, standards, and laws to various situations.
• Evaluates building and site plans, design concepts, and system submittals to determine compliance with adopted codes and ordinances; identify and document deficiencies.
• Conducts fire code inspections to ensure proper installation of regulated systems, construction standards, and continued compliance with fire code.
• Performs fire code plan reviews to ensure proper design of regulated systems and construction standards.
• Identifies hazardous or non-compliant conditions and recommend or enforce corrective actions.
• Prepares clear, concise, and legally defensible reports, documentation, and correspondence related to inspections, plan review, and investigations.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with internal staff, other city departments, contractors, business owners, and the public.
• Collaborates with Fire Operations, Building, Engineering, Health, and other external partners to support life safety and operational readiness.
• Utilizes inspection, reporting, and design software, digital tools, and field test equipment to conduct job duties efficiently.
• Provides education and outreach on fire prevention and life safety topics as assigned.
• Responds to emergency scenes in support of Operations.
• Performs all job performance requirements (JPRs) related to assigned duties per NFPA 1030 and 1033.
• Attends professional development and specialized training as required.
• Maintains required state and third-party certifications.
• Adheres to assigned work schedule, including on-call or after-hours response as required.
• Travels to various locations, which may include operating city vehicles.
• Responds to structure, vehicle, wildland, and other fire incidents to conduct systematic origin and cause investigations.
• Secures scenes, documents conditions (photographs, sketches, notes), and maintains chain of custody for collected evidence.
• Identifies, collects, and processes physical evidence for forensic analysis.
• Analyzes fire effects and patterns, burn indicators, smoke and heat movement, and structural damage to reconstruct fire progression.
• Interviews witnesses, occupants, responders, and other involved parties to gather information.
• Recognizes indicators of arson, tampering, or other suspicious activity.
• Prepares thorough investigation reports outlining findings, methodology, and conclusions utilizing the scientific method.
• Conducts criminal investigations into arson, attempted arson, insurance fraud, explosive incidents, and related offenses.
• Applies for and executes search warrants in collaboration with prosecutors and law enforcement partners.
• Prepares and serves arrest warrants when probable cause exists for criminal violations.
• Conducts suspect interrogations and witness interviews in accordance with legal standards and departmental policy.
• Collects, preserves, and submits physical and digital evidence for forensic analysis, maintaining chain of custody.
• Prepares detailed criminal case files, including affidavits, reports, and supporting documentation, for submittal to the District Attorney’s Office.
• Testifies in grand jury, criminal, and civil proceedings as an expert in fire and arson investigations.
• Collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies (e.g., Collin County District Attorney’s Office, ATF, Collin County Fire Investigators Task Force) to support joint investigations.
• Investigates firefighter line-of-duty deaths, serious injuries, or near-miss incidents and present findings to Fire Administration.
• Conducts pre-employment background investigations for Fire Department applicants as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned or directed.

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
• Knowledge of fire prevention principles, fire dynamics, building construction, and applicable codes, standards, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of criminal law, investigative procedures, and rules of evidence related to arson and fire-related offenses.
• Skill in conducting systematic fire scene examinations, collecting and preserving evidence, and preparing investigative reports.
• Skill in reading and interpreting construction documents and fire protection system designs.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise, and legally defensible documentation and testimony.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism under pressure and collaborate effectively with partner agencies and the public.

Required Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the below Minimum Qualifications may be an acceptable substitute.

High School Diploma or equivalent required, supplemented by two (2) years of work experience in a related field. Texas Commission on Fire Protection Certification (TCFP) as Basic Fire Inspector and Arson Investigator. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Licensure as Peace Officer. International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector I and II within one year of employment.

May be required to obtain TCFP Fire Plans Examiner Certification at the direction of the Fire Marshal.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a drug screen and background check.
• Must pass TCOLE medical and psychological examinations as required by the commission
• Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License.
• Must meet the City’s driving standards.

Physical Demands/Supplemental

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical movements necessary to participate in fire suppression activities, including crouching or crawling during emergency operations; moving equipment and injured/deceased persons; climbing stairs/ladders; walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time; using hands to touch, handle or feel objects, reaching with hands and arms; lifting or exerting force over 100 pounds. Maintaining effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations; reading and writing; operating assigned equipment; assessing the situation at an incident scene; and communicating with others. Special vision requirements that may be required at any time include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to any or all of the following at any time, including hazardous chemicals and materials; fumes and smoke; intense heat; electrical hazards; confined or high work places; risk of radiation; extremely loud noises; working near moving mechanical parts; outdoor weather conditions and vibration.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The City of McKinney is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The City offers a full complement of benefits:

Health Insurance

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Medical and Childcare Account (FSA)
• Mental Health Care and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• City-paid and Voluntary Life Insurance
• City-paid and Voluntary Long Term Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance through Aflac

• Legal Services through Legal Shield
• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $10,000 per year)
• Wellness Program (earn up to $600 per year)

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)
  • Mandatory 7% employee contribution
  • City match 2:1
  • 5 year vesting
  • Retire after 20 years of service, or age 60 with 5 years of service
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

• Paid Vacation (80 hours per year for new hires; tiered increases after 2 yrs)
• Sick Leave (135 hours per year for yourself and immediate family)
• Paid Parental Leave (80 hours for birth, adoption, or placement of a child in foster care)
• Ten Paid Holidays
• Personal Day
• Optional compensatory time for hourly employees
• Compensatory time for salaried employees