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Fire Inspectors and Investigators

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$78,060	1300	4.5%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$78,060

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

1300

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

4.5%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
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.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

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 fire regulations.
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.
Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
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.
Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.
Recommend improvements to increase safety or reduce risks.
Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
Investigate crimes committed within organizations.
Examine debris to obtain information about causes of fires.
Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.
Maintain fire fighting tools or equipment.
Issue permits or other legal documents.
Evaluate employee performance.
Train employees in proper work procedures.
Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.
Develop fire safety or prevention programs or plans.
Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.

Work Values

Achievement

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.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
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.
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.
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.
Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
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.
Develop or review fire exit plans.
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.
Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.
Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.
Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.
Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
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.
Issue permits for public assemblies.
Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.
Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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