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Fire Investigator Jobs in Decatur, AL (NOW HIRING)

Fire Sprinkler Technician Location: Huntsville, AL (On-Site) Division: Fire Protection Company: State Systems, Inc.About State Systems, Inc. Founded in Memphis, TN, State Systems, Inc. is a total ...

Oversee hangar safety programs, fire prevention initiatives, and workplace safety compliance ... Investigate safety incidents, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.

Oversee hangar safety programs, fire prevention initiatives, and workplace safety compliance ... Investigate safety incidents, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.

Oversee hangar safety programs, fire prevention initiatives, and workplace safety compliance ... Investigate safety incidents, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.

Contract Instructor (ATF)

Athens, AL

$18 - $23.25/hr

... investigative needs. * Promote Safe and Professional Training Environments Enforce safety protocols, especially during live-fire or explosives demonstrations, and ensure adherence to ATF and federal ...

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Fire Investigator information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$31.8K

$62K

$98.8K

How much do fire investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire investigator in Decatur, AL is $62,004.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,700.00 and $71,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Fire Investigators during the course of an investigation?

Fire Investigators often encounter challenges such as sifting through hazardous or unstable environments, distinguishing between accidental and intentional causes, and gathering evidence that may have been damaged or destroyed by fire. These professionals must also work collaboratively with law enforcement, insurance representatives, and sometimes testify in court, which requires strong communication and documentation skills. Staying current with fire science techniques and investigative technology is essential to overcome these challenges and ensure accurate, thorough investigations.

What is the difference between Fire Investigator vs Fire Marshal?

AspectFire InvestigatorFire Marshal
CertificationsFire Investigation Certification, Fire Inspector CertificationFire Investigation Certification, Fire Inspector Certification, sometimes Fire Prevention Certifications
Work EnvironmentScene investigation sites, laboratories, forensic settingsFire prevention, code enforcement, public education, investigation
Employer & IndustryFire departments, law enforcement, forensic labsMunicipal fire departments, government agencies, fire prevention offices

Fire Investigators focus on determining the cause of fires, often working at fire scenes and forensic labs. Fire Marshals have broader roles including fire prevention, code enforcement, and public safety education, often overseeing fire investigations. Both roles require similar certifications, but their primary responsibilities and work environments differ.

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

To thrive as a Fire Investigator, you need a solid understanding of fire science, investigative techniques, and a background in law enforcement or fire service, often supported by certifications like Certified Fire Investigator (CFI). Familiarity with evidence collection tools, fire modeling software, and report-writing systems is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding investigators apart. These skills ensure accurate determinations of fire causes, support legal proceedings, and enhance public safety.

How do you become a fire investigator?

To become a fire investigator, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by relevant training in fire science, criminal justice, or a related field. Many fire investigators gain experience as firefighters or in law enforcement, and certification from organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) can enhance job prospects.

What does a Fire Investigator do?

A Fire Investigator is responsible for determining the origin and cause of fires. They examine fire scenes, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze burn patterns to figure out how and why a fire started. Fire Investigators may work for fire departments, law enforcement agencies, or insurance companies. Their findings can be used in criminal investigations, legal proceedings, and to improve fire prevention strategies.

What Is a Fire Investigator?

A fire investigator investigates the cause of fires, particularly when arson is suspected. Fire investigators examine the crime scene, process latent print samples, gather evidence using collection tools, interview witnesses, process the evidence collections, and report their findings to law enforcement agencies. A fire investigator examines the crime scene and determines how the fire started. Similar roles include arson investigator, firefighter, and forensic science technician.

Can you be a fire investigator without being a firefighter?

Yes, a fire investigator can work without being a firefighter, as the role often requires specialized training in fire science, evidence collection, and investigation techniques rather than firefighting experience. Many fire investigators are trained law enforcement officers, fire science graduates, or have certifications such as the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) credential. While some fire investigators have firefighting backgrounds, it is not a strict requirement for the position.

Is it hard to become a fire investigator?

Becoming a fire investigator typically requires a combination of education, such as a high school diploma or higher, and experience in fire service or law enforcement. Many fire investigators also pursue certifications from professional organizations, which can involve training and passing exams, making the process somewhat challenging but achievable with dedication.
What job categories do people searching Fire Investigator jobs in Decatur, AL look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Investigator jobs in Decatur, AL are:
What cities near Decatur, AL are hiring for Fire Investigator jobs? Cities near Decatur, AL with the most Fire Investigator job openings:
Fire Protection Engineer

Fire Protection Engineer

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Huntsville, AL • On-site, Remote

$107K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

New


Federal Bureau of Investigation rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 35 rated police


Job description

Summary
The Facilities Branch of the Finance and Facilities Division provides a range of facilities management and real estate support, logistic services, engineering and design, construction planning and management across multiple sections. These sections include the National Capital Region and Field Operations Support Sections in the Washington, DC area; Real Property Management Section, in Quantico, VA (FBI Academy); and Redstone Facilities Services Section in Huntsville, AL (FBI Redstone campus).
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Duties
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  • Serves as senior technical authority for fire protection engineering aspects of the planning, design, construction and alteration of FBI facilities. Provides guidance and oversight for the planning, budgetary and operational aspects of same.
  • Conducts technical design reviews (design/shop drawings and specifications) of FBI facilities (owned or leased) to ensure that FBI workplaces properly meet Federal and local building and fire codes (i.e., International Building Code, International Fire Codes, National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA) codes and standards, GSA regulations.).
  • Applies fire codes and standards requirements and sound assessment practices to detect fire hazards (i.e., existing conditions and practices) in FBI facilities.
  • Serves as a fire protection inspector, conducting periodic inspections and reviews of FBI facilities for regulatory compliance (e.g., firing ranges, warehouses, office buildings, laboratories, aircraft repair shops, automobile repair shops, hazardous waste storage/holding areas, fuel tanks and fueling stations, etc.).
  • Assists FBI facility management in carrying out their fire protection and fire prevention requirements by providing clear and concise technical guidance for eliminating or minimizing fire hazards found. Conducts fire protection testing for fire protection components.
  • Serve as a member of source selection evaluation board (SSEB) as the fire protection engineering expert in the evaluation, selection, and negotiation of architectural and engineering services.
  • Must be able to travel to project sites, existing facilities, and to other sites for organizational purposes within and outside of the unit, and for training.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
  • Some travel may be required.
  • ALL applicants must verify completion of the basic education requirement by submitting a copy of college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work in the FBI Headquarters office is sedentary. However, duties of the incumbent may require extensive periods of time away from the office conducting fire inspections and reviews and fire investigations, and fire safety training classes. The performance of fire inspections and reviews and fire investigations requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as walking, bending, climbing, crouching, reaching and lifting or similar movements.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work involves exposures to a variety of machinery and equipment, toxic fumes, dusts, hazardous materials, body fluids, high noise levels, and temperature extremes. Personal protective equipment and clothing may be required.
Qualifications
GS-14: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. SE is defined as follows:
  • Experience in engineering principles and practices directly related to fire suppression methods, fire protection equipment (i.e., fire detection and alarm systems, sprinkler systems and other fire extinguishing systems, etc.), fire protection features (i.e., interior finishes, fire-rated construction, smoke control, etc.), and administrative work relating to fire protection and fire prevention programs.
  • Experience in correctly interpreting building and fire code requirements.
  • Experience in engineering principles and skills in interpreting engineering drawings and specifications sufficient to identify potential fire code violations (e.g., insufficient means of egress, inadequate fire-rated construction, etc.) in proposed activity sites.

Education
Positive Education Requirement
This position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience - college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
Additional information
The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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