FIRE INVESTIGATOR

---

If you are a skilled investigator with strong communication and analytical skills, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services would like you to consider this opportunity to become a Fire Investigator with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management. Your knowledge of fire investigation methods and practices is required to provide investigation services into the cause, origin and circumstances of fatal, large loss, gaseous explosions, and incendiary fires across the province.

---

About the job

• Create, organize and lead multi-agency teams (e.g. fire and police departments, technical staff) at fire scenes
• Conduct investigations based on established fire investigation methodology regarding the origin, cause and circumstances of fires
• Promote fire protection and prevention and be familiar with the delivery of fire safety and prevention programs
• Assist in the development and delivery of training
• Represent the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) in response to requests by fire or police departments, insurance adjusters and the public requiring the investigation of fires

---

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

• This position requires a minimum valid driver's licence class “G” or equivalent as recognized by the Province of Ontario.
• In addition to the CPIC check, the candidates must be able to become a Special Constable within 1 year of the hire date. The successful candidates must clear Federal and Provincial security check and must be able to be sworn in as a Peace Officer under the Criminal Code.
• The successful candidates will be expected to work from a home office. The candidates will be expected to report to a regional office at times.
• This position requires that the successful candidates be on-call 24 hours a day for certain days of the month and available at all hours to attend investigations. This position also requires extensive travel throughout the province.

Technical Expertise

• You have knowledge of and experience with fire investigative methods, techniques, procedures and theories in order to: conduct, evaluate, and report on investigations into fatal incidents, explosions, large loss fires, incendiary fires, serious threats to life, and multi-unit fires
• You are able to determine cause and origin of the fire as well as provide findings and recommendations
• You have knowledge of fire dynamics, chemistry of fire/combustion and scientific and technical principles (such as flashpoints, vapor density, ignition temperatures) to analyze post fire indicators and evidence to support conclusions
• You can operate a variety of investigative and safety equipment
• You have experience applying relevant legislation and related documents such as Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Fire Code, Building Code, Criminal Code, Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management's Comprehensive Fire Safety Effectiveness Model, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Charter of Rights, Provincial Offences Act, Rights to Privacy Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, etc.

Analytical and Evaluative Skills

• You can perform initial scene assessments to identify potential hazards as well as assess the scope and requirements of the investigation
• You have knowledge of building construction principles to assist in determining the structural integrity of a structure
• You are able to assess appropriate corrective action in compliance with legislation and standards
• You can identify trends in fire causes (e.g. hazardous products) and report on public safety issue
• You can evaluate the adequacy and condition of fire safety programs
• You have proven ability to prioritize effectively

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• You can liaise effectively with peers, stakeholders (such as public safety officials, police, fire departments), the media and the general public
• You are able to convey technical information such as the application of legislation or fire investigation findings
• You have written communication skills to record and maintain chronological records of incidents and to draft Criminal Code search warrants
• You have tact and diplomacy to interview witnesses during fire investigations and secure the cooperation of witnesses in often sensitive situations (such as the death of a family member)

Other Essential Knowledge and Skills

• You have knowledge of court proceedings, including criminal investigations and rules of evidence to gather evidence and provide expert testimony
• You are proficient with computer software such as databases, word processing and spreadsheets to manage and evaluate data, create presentation/course material, and prepare reports

---

Additional information:

Note:

• In accordance with the Ontario Public Service Employment Screening Checks Policy, the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Please refer to the Additional Information / Address section above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.
  
  You will be responsible for obtaining the criminal record check at your own expense and provide it, along with your written consent, to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), HR Service Delivery Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional screening checks as indicated in the Additional Information / Address section above that were not obtained directly by you. (Note: If a Vulnerable Sector Screening/Check is required, it must also be obtained in person at your local police service.)
  
  A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.
• C-SL-106786/17(3)

---

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.