Fire Inspector / Arson Investigator Full Time

Working for the City of McKinney is more than a job. It is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It is also an opportunity to have a hand in the development of one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Proudly recognized on the Top Workplaces USA list by USA TODAY, our team is dedicated to making McKinney one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family. That’s why we exist. Join us and start making a difference today.

City of McKinney employees work hard and at a very fast pace. However, we also look after and support one another. All of us are guided by four employee-inspired values – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE). We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, family-oriented culture. All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high performance organization.

SUMMARY
The Fire Prevention Specialist/Arson Investigator (FPS/AI) serves as a key member of the Fire Prevention Division and is responsible for promoting fire and life safety through inspections, engineering (plan review), and fire and arson investigations. This position performs technical, investigative, and administrative duties to ensure compliance with applicable fire codes, standards, ordinances, and criminal statutes. Depending on assignment, the FPS/AI conducts field inspections, reviews construction documents and fire protection system designs, determines the origin and cause of fires and explosions, and pursues criminal investigations into arson, insurance fraud, and related offenses. The role requires strong knowledge of fire prevention principles, fire dynamics, investigative methods, and enforcement practices. FPS/AI are expected to communicate effectively with the public, professionals, and partner agencies, prepare accurate and defensible documentation, and operate within legal and ethical standards. Work is performed under the direction of the Division Supervisor in accordance with the job performance requirements outlined in NFPA 1030 and 1033 and in compliance with Texas statutes and certification requirements for fire and arson investigators.

• Perform duties across multiple functional areas of the Fire Prevention Division, including inspections, engineering (plan review), and investigations, as assigned.
• Locate, interpret, and apply fire and life safety codes, standards, and laws to various situations.
• Evaluate building and site plans, design concepts, and system submittals to determine compliance with adopted codes and ordinances; identify and document deficiencies.
• Conduct fire code inspections to ensure proper installation of regulated systems, construction standards, and continued compliance with fire code.
• Perform fire code plan reviews to ensure proper design of regulated systems and construction standards.
• Identify hazardous or non-compliant conditions and recommend or enforce corrective actions.
• Prepare clear, concise, and legally defensible reports, documentation, and correspondence related to inspections, plan review, and investigations.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with internal staff, other city departments, contractors, business owners, and the public.
• Collaborate with Fire Operations, Building, Engineering, Health, and other external partners to support life safety and operational readiness.
• Utilize inspection, reporting, and design software, digital tools, and field test equipment to conduct job duties efficiently.
• Provide education and outreach on fire prevention and life safety topics as assigned.
• Respond to emergency scenes in support of Operations.
• Perform all job performance requirements (JPRs) related to assigned duties per NFPA 1030 and 1033.
• Attend professional development and specialized training as required.
• Maintain required state and third-party certifications.
• Adhere to assigned work schedule, including on-call or after-hours response as required.
• Travel to various locations, which may include operating city vehicles.
• Respond to structure, vehicle, wildland, and other fire incidents to conduct systematic origin and cause investigations.
• Secure scenes, document conditions (photographs, sketches, notes), and maintain chain of custody for collected evidence.
• Identify, collect, and process physical evidence for forensic analysis.
• Analyze fire effects and patterns, burn indicators, smoke and heat movement, and structural damage to reconstruct fire progression.
• Interview witnesses, occupants, responders, and other involved parties to gather information.
• Recognize indicators of arson, tampering, or other suspicious activity.
• Prepare thorough investigation reports outlining findings, methodology, and conclusions utilizing the scientific method.
• Conduct criminal investigations into arson, attempted arson, insurance fraud, explosive incidents, and related offenses.
• Apply for and execute search warrants in collaboration with prosecutors and law enforcement partners.
• Prepare and serve arrest warrants when probable cause exists for criminal violations.
• Conduct suspect interrogations and witness interviews in accordance with legal standards and departmental policy.
• Collect, preserve, and submit physical and digital evidence for forensic analysis, maintaining chain of custody.
• Prepare detailed criminal case files, including affidavits, reports, and supporting documentation, for submittal to the District Attorney’s Office.
• Testify in grand jury, criminal, and civil proceedings as an expert in fire and arson investigations.
• Collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies (e.g., Collin County District Attorney’s Office, ATF, Collin County Fire Investigators Task Force) to support joint investigations.
• Investigate firefighter line-of-duty deaths, serious injuries, or near-miss incidents and present findings to Fire Administration.
• Conduct pre-employment background investigations for Fire Department applicants as assigned.

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.)
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
• Knowledge of fire prevention principles, fire dynamics, building construction, and applicable codes, standards, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of criminal law, investigative procedures, and rules of evidence related to arson and fire-related offenses.
• Skill in conducting systematic fire scene examinations, collecting and preserving evidence, and preparing investigative reports.
• Skill in reading and interpreting construction documents and fire protection system designs.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise, and legally defensible documentation and testimony.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism under pressure and collaborate effectively with partner agencies and the public.

• Perform other duties as assigned or directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the below Minimum Qualifications may be an acceptable substitute.