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Entry Level Fire Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... fire protection, construction services, and energy modeling. Experience with AutoCad MEP and Revit ... an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry's background ...

FIRE TELECOMMUNICATOR II

Stockton, CA · On-site

$82K - $106K/yr

... entry-level dispatch position. It requires public safety dispatch experience, appropriate ... All levels Must successfully complete a background investigation and a California Department of ...

The Role We have an opportunity for a Mechanical Engineer specializing in Plumbing and Fire ... from entry-level engineers to senior management. Our investigations always vary but will include ...

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Entry Level Fire Investigator information

See salary details

$35.5K

$69.3K

$110.5K

How much do entry level fire investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level fire investigator in the United States is $69,327.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get started as a fire investigator?

To start as a fire investigator, obtain a relevant degree such as fire science, criminal justice, or forensic science. Gain experience in fire service or law enforcement, and pursue certifications like the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Developing skills in evidence collection, fire behavior, and report writing is essential for entry into the field.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level fire investigators during their initial cases?

Entry-level fire investigators often find the transition from training to real-world investigations challenging, especially when it comes to accurately identifying fire origins and causes under pressure. They may also face difficulties in navigating complex fire scenes, maintaining evidence integrity, and effectively collaborating with law enforcement and fire departments. Building strong communication skills and seeking guidance from experienced colleagues can help overcome these initial hurdles, while continuous learning will enhance confidence and proficiency over time.

What does an entry level fire investigator do?

An entry level fire investigator assists in determining the origin and cause of fires under the supervision of experienced investigators. Their duties often include collecting and preserving evidence, photographing fire scenes, interviewing witnesses, and preparing reports. They may also help with data entry, research, and learning to interpret burn patterns. Entry level fire investigators typically work alongside fire departments or insurance companies to support investigations and may be required to testify in court. This role serves as a stepping stone to more advanced positions in fire investigation.

Can I become a fire investigator without being a firefighter?

Entry level fire investigators typically have a background in fire service, law enforcement, or related fields, but it is not always required to be a firefighter. Relevant skills such as knowledge of fire science, investigation techniques, and certifications like fire investigation training can qualify candidates without firefighting experience. However, many employers prefer candidates with some experience in emergency services or law enforcement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Fire Investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Fire Investigator, you need a solid understanding of fire science, investigative techniques, and evidence handling, often supported by a degree in fire science, criminal justice, or a related field. Familiarity with fire investigation software, digital cameras, and basic forensic tools, along with certifications like IAAI-FIT or CFI, is typically expected. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you gather, interpret, and present findings clearly. These competencies are crucial for accurately determining fire causes, ensuring public safety, and supporting legal proceedings.

How hard is it to become a fire investigator?

Becoming an entry level fire investigator typically requires a combination of education, such as a high school diploma or GED, and relevant experience in fire service or law enforcement. Candidates often need to complete specialized training, obtain certifications like the Certified Fire Investigator credential, and develop skills in fire science, investigation techniques, and report writing. The process can take several years of experience and training to qualify for entry-level positions.

What is the difference between Entry Level Fire Investigator vs Fire Investigator?

AspectEntry Level Fire InvestigatorFire Investigator
Required CertificationsFire investigation certification, basic fire scienceAdvanced certifications, fire investigation training
Work EnvironmentAssisting in investigations, fieldwork, report writingLeading investigations, complex case analysis
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, insurance companies, public safety agenciesFire departments, law enforcement, private firms

The main difference between an Entry Level Fire Investigator and a Fire Investigator is experience and responsibility. Entry level roles focus on learning fire investigation procedures, assisting senior investigators, and gaining certifications. Fire Investigators have more experience, handle complex cases, and often lead investigations. Both roles are essential in fire safety and investigation teams, with the entry level serving as a foundation for career growth.

Are fire investigators in demand?

Fire investigators are in steady demand due to the need for fire safety, arson investigation, and accident analysis. Employment opportunities are often available with fire departments, insurance companies, and private consulting firms, especially for those with certifications and investigative skills.
More about Entry Level Fire Investigator jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Fire Investigator jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Fire Investigator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Investigator jobs? The most popular types of Fire Investigator jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Fire Investigator jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Fire Investigator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Fire Investigator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 27% As Needed, 37% Full Time, and 36% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,327 per year, or $33.3 per hour.
FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTOR, RECRUIT (CLASS CODE 2276)

FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTOR, RECRUIT (CLASS CODE 2276)

City of New Orleans

New Orleans, LA • On-site

$37K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


City Of New Orleans rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

616th of 668 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Kind of Work Entry level technical inspection and law enforcement work to secure compliance with the city fire prevention regulations and ordinances, activities to encourage development and use of fire prevention methods; investigational work to determine the origins and causes of fires; performance of other departmental investigations as directed by the Superintendent; and related work as required. Receive introduction and training in data entry and quality control oversight of the Company Officer Commercial Occupancy Inspections process and records. Minimum Qualifications EITHER: High School Diploma or G.E.D

Equivalency Diploma.* AND Four (4) years of experience in any of the following fields: fire prevention, firefighting (work must have required a firefighter certification accredited by International Fire Service Accreditation Congress or National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications), safety engineering, occupational safety, fire protection, engineering, architecture, building/housing inspection, drafting, designing buildings, or law enforcement (must have required Peace Officer Standards and Training Council certification). Note: Sixty (60) semester hours of college credit from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two (2) years of the related experience. OR: A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.* A background check will be conducted on those candidates being considered for hire

Convictions for felonies or numerous misdemeanors may be disqualifying. Selective certification based on possession of International Code Council (ICC) Fire Inspector I and/or current P.O.S.T. certification will be granted at the request of the appointing authority

Note: If appointed, employees must become certified by the International Code Council (ICC) as a Fire Inspector I and must also obtain the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certification from a Louisiana State approved Academy for examination during the probationary period. No probationary period may last longer than one (1) year. If employees are not certified by ICC and P.O.S.T

certified during their probationary period, they will be terminated and must wait one (1) year from the end of their probationary period or receive certification from ICC and P.O.S.T. to be considered for rehire. * Prior to appointment, the hiring agency is required to verify education claimed by the applicant to qualify for this classification

If selected for hire, applicants must provide original documents of their qualifying credentials to the hiring agency prior to their start date in this job classification. Kind of Examination The examination will consist of: a) A written multiple-choice test, weighted 100%. b) A qualifying test of writing skills.

If given a conditional offer of employment, a qualifying medical test (which may consist of a chest x-ray and/or lumbar spine x-ray) and psychological/psychiatric evaluation will be administered. A stress EKG may be given. This is an original entrance examination.

General Information THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, CREED, CULTURE, OR ANCESTRY. REQUESTS FOR ALTERNATE FORMAT OR ACCOMMODATIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO SHANA PARKER AT (504) 658-3516 OR TTY/VOICE AT (504) 586-4475 or (504) 658-4020. DOMICILE REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT: Domicile requirements are currently waived for the purpose of application.

However, all new full-time employees hired into this classification on or after January 1, 2013, must be domiciled in Orleans Parish within 180 days of hire. Public safety employees such as commissioned law enforcement officers hired by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), firefighters hired by the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD), emergency medical technicians hired by the New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) and the recruits for these positions hired by these departments are excluded from this provision. Airport employees are excluded from this provision if the actual domicile of the employee is nearer to the employee's job site than the distance from the job site to the nearest point of Orleans Parish.

Additional exceptions to the domicile requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis. We encourage you to apply for this position and discuss your need for a domicile exception during the interview process. DOMICILE REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT (SEWERAGE AND WATER BOARD): Domicile requirements are currently waived for the purpose of application**.

Residency requirements are waived for all Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans positions vacant and advertised for at least 90 days. Employees hired under this waiver remain exempt from the city's residency requirement for the duration of their employment at the Sewerage and Water Board. (La R.S

33:4076). **Additional exceptions to the domicile requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis. We encourage you to apply for this position and discuss your need for a domicile exception during the interview process.

BACKGROUND CHECK: The hiring department will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate.

APPLICATIONS: Applications will not be accepted if received after the closing date or after the stated maximum number of applications has been received, as specified on this announcement. All minimum qualification requirements for examinations must be met by the final filing date unless otherwise specified on this announcement. DELAY IN THE MAIL: The Department of City Civil Service cannot be responsible for failure of the applicant to receive an admission slip to an examination or for failure of the Department to receive material mailed by the applicant.

Applicants should notify the Department of City Civil Service in writing of any address changes The minimum age limit is 18 years for any class of work requiring hard physical labor, operation of or proximity to hazardous machinery, exposure to hazardous chemicals, or participation in any other processes or procedures which are prohibited or limited by the Louisiana State Child Labor Law. WORKING TEST PERIOD: Effective August 1, 2023, the working test (probationary) period for all positions in the classified service is one year. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING: The City of New Orleans has a comprehensive program of substance abuse testing.

Candidates for employment for certain positions where the health, welfare and/or safety of the public, co-workers and the individual employee is at risk will have to undergo pre-employment substance abuse screening. Candidates for all other original entrance positions will have to undergo an unannounced substance abuse screening during their working test period. For further information, see Civil Service Rule V, Section 9.

A MEDICAL EXAMINATION is required for all original entrance probationary appointments to ACTIVE classifications, and may be required for re-employment, promotions and/or transfers. A MEDICAL SCREENING, which may result in a medical examination, is required for all original entrance probationary appointments to non-active classifications. GOOD MORAL CHARACTER is required of all applicants.

Any applicant may be disqualified if his/her character or past employment record is found to be unsatisfactory as determined by the Department of City Civil Service. Forgery, misrepresentation of facts, or cheating on examinations is punishable by disqualification, fine and other penalties. IMPORTANT: Applicants who are licensed to drive should have a current license on their person for purposes of identification during all phases of an examination.

In lieu of such license, the Department of City Civil Service may require that applicants have some form of picture identification. VETERANS PREFERENCE: On original entrance examinations, veterans (as defined in Article X, Section 10(2) of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana), disabled veterans, certain spouses and parents of veterans shall receive additional credit if claimed as provided on the Veterans Preference claim form which can be obtained in this office. To obtain credit, this form must be submitted with the required proof (at the minimum, a DD214) before the final filing date.

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA (GED) must be issued by a state Department of Education or an institution recognized by a state Department of Education. Certificates of completion, high school diplomas and GED from institutions not recognized by a state Department of Education are not acceptable. High School diplomas from foreign countries will be accepted if the applicant submits a statement of educational equivalency from one of the evaluation services accepted by the Department of Civil Service.

A list of the accepted evaluation services can be found on the National Association of Credential Evacuation Services (NACES) website (www.naces.org). ACCREDITED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: An accredited college or university is an institution that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the USDE (United States Department of Education) as an Institutional Accreditor. College diplomas from foreign countries will be accepted if the applicant submits a statement of educational equivalency from one of the evaluation services accepted by the Department of Civil Service

A list of the accepted evaluation services can be found on the National Association of Credential Evacuation Services (NACES) website (www.naces.org). EXPERIENCE: Applicants will not receive credit for unpaid work unless specified on the job announcement. Partial credit only will be given for related part time employment

Civil Service reserves the right to determine which degrees, education, or other credentials are related or closely related. Experience credit will be granted for related provisional appointments (internal applicants). PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE: The Civil Service Department defines this experience as experience gained in a position that required a Bachelor's Degree upon entrance.

OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT OR PROMOTION: Prior to appointment, the hiring agency is required to verify education, driver's license, and/or professional licenses/certifications claimed by the applicant to qualify for this classification. If selected for hire, applicants must provide original documents of their qualifying credentials to the hiring agency prior to their start date in this job classification. Offers of employment or promotion are required to be withdrawn for applicants who are found to have misrepresented their credentials during the application process.

Revised 1/91, 4/03, 7/05, 2/07, 8/10, 2/12, 8/15, 6/16, 1/17, 1/19, 2/23, 8/23, 3/24, 6/24, 2/25, 3/26.


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