Zone Fire Trespass Specialist/Fire Investigator

State of Utah Office of the Governor • West Valley City, UT

2d • $37 - $55 • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the primary Wildfire Investigator and Fire Trespass Coordinator for an assigned interagency dispatch zone, providing specialized expertise in wildfire origin and cause determination, fire trespass investigations, suppression cost recovery, and interagency coordination. Throughout the year, you'll transition between emergency response, technical investigations, fire operations, training, public outreach, and collaboration with local, state, and federal partners. During fire season, you'll respond to active wildfires as a lead or support investigator within your assigned dispatch zone, determining fire origin and cause to support public safety, criminal accountability, civil cost recovery, and future wildfire prevention. Beyond emergency response, you'll coordinate fire trespass investigations, assist law enforcement and prosecutors, mentor developing investigators, deliver training, and support statewide fire prevention initiatives that protect Utah's citizens, communities, and natural resources. As part of FFSL's specialized statewide wildfire investigation program, you'll work both independently and as a member of a highly collaborative team alongside the Statewide Fire Trespass Coordinator, Area Fire Management Officers, Area Managers, Prevention Specialists, Incident Management Teams, county and municipal fire departments, federal land management agencies, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, dispatch centers, and wildfire investigators throughout Utah. Together, you'll strengthen wildfire investigations, improve public safety, reduce human-caused wildfires, recover suppression costs on behalf of Utah taxpayers, and promote responsible stewardship of the state's public and private lands. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine emergency response, scientific investigation, law enforcement coordination, public service, leadership, and natural resource protection into one challenging and rewarding career.

Requirements

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in wildland fire operations, wildfire investigations, fire prevention, natural resource management, law enforcement, emergency management, or a closely related field; or An equivalent combination of education, specialized training, certifications, and directly related professional experience demonstrating the ability to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
• Wildland fire behavior, suppression operations, and firefighter safety principles.
• Incident Command System (ICS) and interagency incident management.
• Wildfire origin and cause determination principles and investigative methodologies.
• Evidence recognition, preservation, documentation, and chain-of-custody practices.
• Technical report writing, case documentation, and records management.
• Professional communication and interagency coordination.
• Computer applications used for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and electronic documentation.
• Conducting field investigations and collecting factual information.
• Evaluating fire behavior, burn indicators, and physical evidence.
• Applying analytical and deductive reasoning to identify probable fire causes.
• Preparing clear, concise, and accurate technical reports.
• Interviewing witnesses and documenting investigative findings.
• Managing multiple assignments while meeting critical deadlines.
• Building collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Conduct investigations in remote, rugged, and physically demanding environments.
• Analyze evidence, technical information, and conflicting facts to reach logical and defensible conclusions.
• Make sound decisions under stressful and rapidly changing conditions.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Work independently with minimal supervision while contributing as a member of a statewide team.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical standards in sensitive investigations.
• Safely operate four-wheel-drive vehicles and travel throughout Utah, including overnight assignments and emergency call-outs.
• Meet the physical demands associated with wildfire response and field investigations.
• Obtain and maintain agency-required qualifications, certifications, and fitness standards necessary to perform assigned duties.

Nice To Haves

• Conducting wildfire origin and cause investigations.
• Managing fire trespass or wildfire suppression cost recovery cases.
• Serving in wildland fire operations, Incident Management Teams, or prescribed fire programs.
• Coordinating multi-agency or multi-jurisdictional investigations.
• Working with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, or legal counsel.
• Providing courtroom testimony or serving as an expert witness.
• Leading projects, programs, or interagency initiatives.
• Supervising, mentoring, or developing employees and trainees.
• Delivering classroom instruction, field training, or NWCG courses.
• Fire prevention, community risk reduction, emergency management, or natural resource management.
• Advanced wildfire origin and cause determination methodologies.
• Fire trespass investigations and suppression cost recovery processes.
• Wildland fire behavior analysis and fire effects.
• Criminal and administrative investigative practices.
• Utah wildfire statutes, administrative rules, and related legal processes.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS mapping, and digital field documentation.
• Fire Business System (FBS), Survey123, or similar incident and case management systems.
• Digital evidence management and investigative technologies.
• Applying advanced fire investigation techniques to complex incidents.
• Collecting, preserving, and documenting physical and digital evidence.
• Conducting witness interviews and preparing comprehensive investigative reports.
• Coordinating investigations involving multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
• Delivering professional presentations, technical instruction, and public outreach.
• Developing policies, procedures, training materials, or operational guidance.
• Utilizing GIS, GPS, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), digital photography, and other emerging technologies to support wildfire investigations.
• NWCG Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF).
• FI-210 – Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination.
• FI-310 – Wildland Fire Investigation Case Development.
• ICT4 or higher Incident Command qualifications.
• Engine Boss, Crew Boss, Strike Team Leader (STCR/STEN), Task Force Leader (TFLD), or other advanced NWCG operational qualifications.
• NWCG Instructor qualifications or equivalent instructional experience.
• Curiosity and a passion for solving complex problems.
• Sound judgment, integrity, and professionalism.
• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.
• Initiative, adaptability, and self-motivation.
• Effective leadership and collaborative teamwork.
• A commitment to mentoring others and fostering professional growth.
• The ability to remain calm, objective, and decisive in dynamic environments.
• A commitment to continuous learning, public service, and protecting Utah's citizens, communities, and natural resources.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Wildfire Investigator and Fire Trespass Coordinator for an assigned interagency dispatch zone, providing leadership and technical expertise in wildfire origin and cause determination, fire trespass investigations, and suppression cost recovery.
• Respond to wildfire incidents during initial and extended attack to conduct fire analyses, determine origin and cause, evaluate the need for formal investigations, preserve evidence, and support Incident Command and area resources with scene security and investigative guidance.
• Conduct wildfire origin and cause investigations by applying scientific principles, nationally recognized investigative methodologies, and NWCG guidance to determine wildfire origin and cause.
• Identify wildfire causes through scientific analysis, examination of fire spread indicators and burn patterns, assist with witness interviews and evidence collection, complete documentation, mapping, photography, diagrams, and technical reporting suitable for criminal prosecution and civil litigation.
• Protect wildfire origin areas, recognize and document potential physical evidence, assist law enforcement with evidence collection, and support coordinated investigations with law enforcement and cooperating agencies.
• Prepare comprehensive investigative reports, technical documentation, cost recovery packages, demand letters, case summaries, and supporting records while providing expert witness testimony during criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.
• Administer the zone fire trespass and suppression cost recovery program by evaluating human-caused fires, reviewing suppression costs, preparing documentation in accordance with Utah Administrative Rule, and coordinating with Statewide Fire Trespass Coordinator, Area Managers, Area Fire Management Officers, finance personnel, legal counsel, and prosecutors.
• Coordinate and oversee wildfire investigation activities throughout the assigned dispatch zone by implementing statewide investigation policies and procedures, maintaining quality assurance standards, managing investigative records, reviewing reports, tracking investigation metrics and human-caused fire trends, and supporting statewide program initiatives.
• Serve as the zone subject matter expert for wildfire investigations by providing technical guidance to fire managers, Incident Management Teams, law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, dispatch centers, partner agencies, and neighboring dispatch zones during periods of increased activity.
• Develop and mentor current and future wildfire investigators by delivering NWCG wildfire investigation courses, conducting field exercises, evaluating task books, supporting qualification development, sharing lessons learned, and promoting professional growth.
• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with local, county, tribal, state, and federal agencies to support coordinated wildfire investigations, fire prevention initiatives, emergency response, and public safety objectives.
• Support FFSL's broader fire management mission by assisting with initial attack operations, prescribed fire planning, Wildland-Urban Interface assessments, fuels reduction projects, fire prevention and community outreach, Incident Management Team assignments, and other statewide fire management priorities as assigned.

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed