Salary: $44.21 - $55.08 Hourly
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17204
Department: Fire Marshal's Office
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
Position Overview:

A Fire Investigator is certified to investigate the origin and cause of fires or explosions that threaten life, property, or the environment. The Fire Investigator reports to a supervisor and any management member and may work from either office or field location, depending on the work assignment. The incumbent has a working knowledge of recognized standards for fire investigations, fire inspections, fireworks, and fire and life safety hazards, including LGC. 352.016.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Investigation:
  • Conduct thorough investigations of fire scenes to determine the cause and origin of fires, focusing on suspected arson cases.
  • Properly investigate the origin and circumstances of assigned fires and explosions and determine whether the event resulted from design carelessness or natural causes based on nationally recognized standards.
• Evidence Collection:
  • Gather and preserve physical evidence, including photographs, samples, and witness statements, to support findings.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Perform administrative functions in accordance with policies and procedures, to include completing, reviewing and maintaining records and reports; and developing summary data reports, as required.
  • Provide expert testimony in court regarding findings and methodologies used in investigations.
• Training and Development:
  • Participate in training programs to enhance skills and maintain and/or pursue certifications in specific areas, such as project management, quality assurance, or technical specialties.
• Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Perform as a member of an Incident Management Team during emergency or disaster situations.
  • Maintain situational awareness of all HCFMO activities.
  • Serve on committees, boards, or other teams as assigned by the Fire Marshal or designee.
  • Perform assigned tasks safely, and report initial accidents, injuries, or health exposures in accordance with accepted safety practices and HCFMO policy.

Requirements
Education:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational program.

Licensures:

• At the date of hire, possess a valid license driver's license, State of Texas Class C Texas.
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Basic Peace Officer (or higher).

Notice: Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained, or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification:

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
• Open arrest for any criminal offense. (Felony or Misdemeanor)
• Family Violence conviction.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences

• Associates or Bachelor's Degree.
• Previous experience as a TCFP Fire/Arson Investigator.
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and/or Master Arson Investigator.
• IAAI Fire Fire Investigator Technician (FIT)
• IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI)
• Within one (1) year of appointment, provide proof of completion for NIMS IS-700, IS-800, IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400.

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time
• This position works 12-hour shifts on a rotating schedule: three (3) days on/four (4) days off, followed by four (4) days on/three (3) days off.
  
  • Schedule may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• The investigation division provides services 24/7.
  
  • Investigators are assigned a shift and rotate the first week of June each year.

Salary:

• $44.21 - $55.08 Hourly
• Depends on Qualifications
  • Based on Harris County and the Harris County Fire Marshal's Law Enforcement Salary Structure and Policy | the applicant may receive up to five (5) years of service credit for prior TCOLE-commissioned, full-time service as a regular Peace Officer with a recognized law enforcement agency; If there is a break in service of more than 180 days and up to five (5) years within the employee's verified experience, service credit will begin from the date the employee is commissioned as a Law Enforcement Officer with HCFMO.
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

At the time of appointment, are you eligible to be commissioned by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and appointed by HCFMO as a TCOLE Basic Peace Officer (or higher)?

• Yes
• No

03

What level of fire service experience do you have?

• Zero (0) years
• One (1) to five (5) years
• Five (5) to ten (10) years
• Ten (10)+ years
• N/A; No experience

04

Are you commissioned by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) as an Arson Investigator as a (None, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, or Master)?

• Yes
• No

05

This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire)Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date
• No, I'm not interested

Required Question