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>Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $39K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $50K
Median Salary: $64K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $81K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $100K
Demand
Core Tasks
Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.
Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.
Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.
Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
Develop or review fire exit plans.
Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
Inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.
Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.
Arrange for the replacement of defective fire fighting equipment and for repair of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, making minor repairs such as servicing fire extinguishers when feasible.
Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.
Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.
Issue permits for public assemblies.
Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.
Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.
Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.
Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Public Safety and Security
93%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Building and Construction
87%
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Customer and Personal Service
86%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Law and Government
85%
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Education and Training
82%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
76%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
65%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mechanical
64%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Personnel and Human Resources
62%
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Chemistry
60%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
79%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
78%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving
72%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Writing
72%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension
70%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring
65%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning
64%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination
64%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
82%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Flexibility of Closure
80%
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Inductive Reasoning
80%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Near Vision
79%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension
79%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Deductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Information Ordering
75%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Written Comprehension
75%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Far Vision
74%
The ability to see details at a distance.
Top 10 Work Activities
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
94%
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
93%
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Documenting/Recording Information
93%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
93%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Getting Information
92%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
92%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
89%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
88%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
87%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
87%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Detailed Work Activities
Record information about suspects or criminals.
Prepare investigation or incident reports.
Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures.
Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
Analyze crime scene evidence.
Record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras.
Examine debris to obtain information about causes of fires.
Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations.
Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.
Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations.
Issue permits or other legal documents.
Write operational reports.
Identify actions needed to bring properties or facilities into compliance with regulations.
Inform others about laws or regulations.
Develop fire safety or prevention programs or plans.
Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.
Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge.
Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations.
Train personnel to enhance job skills.
Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
Provide safety training.
Recommend improvements to increase safety or reduce risks.
Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
Investigate crimes committed within organizations.
Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.
Maintain fire fighting tools or equipment.
Evaluate employee performance.
Train employees in proper work procedures.
Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.
Interests
Realistic
86%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
79%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
67%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
53%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
50%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
19%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Integrity
97%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation
90%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attention to Detail
89%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
89%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
85%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Adaptability/Flexibility
84%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Concern for Others
83%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Leadership
83%
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Stress Tolerance
83%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Analytical Thinking
82%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Work Values
Achievement
74%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
74%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Support
74%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
65%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Relationships
60%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
