Fire Investigator

Jensen Hughes has a new job opportunity for a full-time Fire Investigator in the Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington areas.  The position could be supported remotely, based in another location, depending on the investigator. The investigator will join a multi-discipline fire investigation and engineering team of nationwide experts and facilities.

Jensen Hughes is the leading fire protection design and investigation company in the world.  We know fire investigation from top to bottom.  Our fire investigators work alongside, and are supported by, an experienced team of experts including electrical, mechanical, chemical, civil, structural and metallurgical engineers and scientists.  You will be able to call these experts on the phone from the loss site and/or work with them directly during the investigation. We all work together as a team to assess the potential origin and causes for the fire and assist with the determination of what evidence needs to be collected and preserved for future laboratory work. Our experts and fire investigators work together closely, creating an inviting working environment which facilitates growth of an investigator’s knowledge and experience, and is unmatched by others in the fire investigator profession.

Some of what we offer:

• Our business development team is dedicated to forensic and fire investigation, and provides support by connecting you with clients who are looking to hire true professionals in the field of fire investigation. 


• Our worldwide footprint provides opportunities across the globe.


• We have personnel to perform fire modeling.


• We have a dust explosion lab in Halifax, Canada.


• We have a full metallurgical laboratory with an SEM/EDS that can analyze any metal found in a fire.


• We have a plastics and materials testing laboratory that that can identify plastic materials involved in a fire and can determine many of the physical properties of these plastics,


• We have a full forensics chemistry laboratory that performs analysis of fire debris for ignitable liquids and liquids capable of spontaneous combustion. Laboratory technicians are available to provide direct support to the fire investigator in the best methods to collect forensic samples.


• We have voting and alternate members on NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations and NFPA 1033 Qualifications for Fire Investigators.


• Our experienced in-house legal team can help you prepare for trials and depositions.


• Our dedicated evidence collection and handling teams will support you to assure that the collection of evidence is properly gathered, retained and tracked from the field.


• You will receive on-the-job training from professionals with over 200 years of collective experience in fire investigation.

• Conduct fire origin & cause investigations using accepted industry standards, such as NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033.


• Investigation skills required include, but are not limited to, documentation, digital photography, video, diagrams, and written/recorded statements.


• Document, collect (bag and tag), secure, and transport evidence; ensuring chain of custody procedures are followed.


• Able to apply failure analysis knowledge to a fire origin and cause investigation.


• Provide honest and unbiased analysis and consultation regarding fire and explosion investigations.


• Perform field studies and research on a daily basis.


• Must be able to travel nationwide to perform investigations.


• Interface closely with clients and able to professionally handle sensitive and confidential information.


• Communicate with clients to provide timelines and project updates on a consistent basis.


• Provide expert testimony, including deposition and trial testimony, for legal cases.


• Must have superior customer service skills.


• Will provide timely, detailed written reports.


• Able to accurately obtain and document information through direct interviews.

• Private Investigator license or the ability to acquire within 30 days of hire.


• CFI or CFEI certifications required, must have the ability to obtain CFI immediately if not possessed.


• Expert level knowledge and understanding of NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033.


• Minimum of Five (5) years of equivalent experience; a combination of education and experience will be considered.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to travel nationwide on short notice.


• Must be able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time on rough, uneven surfaces.


• Must be able to wear face respiratory for extended periods and other required PPE.


• Must be able to kneel, squat and bend.


• Must be able to work outdoors in hot and/or cold weather conditions.


• Have the ability to climb, crawl, stoop, kneel, reaching/working overhead.


• Be able lift/carry up to 50 pounds.


• Be able to push/pull up to 100 pounds.

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