Fire Investigator

EFI Global is a full-service engineering, fire investigation, environmental, health and safety, and specialty consulting services firm serving a variety of industries in both the public and private sectors. Over the last four decades, we have grown from a boutique firm specializing in handling insurance fraud and arson cases and providing expert witness testimony, into a recognized global leader in engineering failure analysis, origin-and-cause investigations, environmental consulting, laboratory testing and specialty consulting. Our forensic investigation, engineering and environmental services teams around the world share a dedication to expertise, quality and demonstrating to customers that caring counts®.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Fire Investigator (Part-Time) based in the greater Baltimore, MD area to support complex origin and cause investigations in a full-time, remote role. This position is ideal for a self-directed professional who values technical rigor, clear communication, and teamwork while delivering unbiased, defensible findings. Candidate must reside in the greater Baltimore area.

Primary purpose: To investigate fire events to determine origin, cause, and responsibility in accordance with assignments from clients or assigned legal counsel.

Responsibilities

• Accepts assignments from customers for investigation of losses or claims and pursues investigation in accordance with the specific needs of the assignment.
• Determines the origin and cause of the loss/claim under investigation and identifies any potential third-party responsibility for subrogation potential.
• Maintains required reporting commitments to client in accordance with EFI’s standard procedures.
• Promotes and markets utilization of EFI services in the insurance industry and within assigned territory.
• Serves as a liaison between the insurance industry and law enforcement/fire service personnel.
• Investigates losses/claims with illegal, fraudulent or subrogation aspects in accordance with assignment from client or assigned attorney representing insurer.
• Identifies and interviews all witnesses or involved persons who may possess information or knowledge pertaining to incident under investigation: motive, opportunity or any other information or evidence that may assist in concluding a factual and complete investigation.
• Develops necessary knowledge and expertise required to conduct thorough inspection of available public records including land deeds, mortgages, liens, suits, judgments, marriage and divorce records, etc.
• Maintains up-to-date information in regard to existing laws pertaining to rights of privacy and availability of public records to assure that all investigations are conducted in a completely legal and ethical manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Travels as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Minimum certification requirement: Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI). IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) certification is preferred.
• Will be required to obtain the IAAI-CFI certification within 6 months of qualifying to take IAAI-CFI certification test.
• Three (3) years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Skills

• Good oral and written communication.
• PC literate, including Microsoft Office products.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Good analytical and interpretive skills.
• Strong investigative skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment.
• Ability to meet or exceed Performance Competencies.

Work Environment

Mental: Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines.

Physical:

• Must be able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time.
• Must be able to kneel, squat or 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.
• Be able to drive up to 4 hours per day.

Auditory/Visual: Hearing, vision and talking.

Pay

For the jurisdiction noted in this job posting, the range of starting pay for this role is $55.00 - $65.00/hr.