Arson and Bomb Investigator Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established July 11, 1973

Scope

This series specification describes four Arson and Bomb Investigator classes used in the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Definition of Series

The Arson and Bomb Investigator series describes work concerned with the investigation of suspected arson or bombings, and with the detection and apprehension of suspected criminals. Investigators in this series are peace officers.

Employees in these classes conduct detailed and complex investigations of explosions and fires in which there is suspicion that such explosion or fire is of incendiary origin: confer with local, State, and Federal peace officers on the handling of investigations; interrogate suspects and interview witnesses; obtain criminal complaints and serve subpoenas; make arrests of persons suspected of having committed the crime of arson; confer with district attorneys and prosecutors in preparing cases for court; testify in court as expert witnesses; train and provide technical assistance in the latest techniques of fire and explosion to local fire protection and law enforcement authorities; administer specialized arson and explosives training programs or projects; higher level investigators may conduct internal affairs investigations; represent the State Fire Marshal at meetings; and do other related work.

Definition of Levels

Arson and Bomb Investigator Assistant

This is the entry training and first journey level investigator. Incumbents work under close supervision on individual cases or as part of a team, and do other related work.

Arson and Bomb Investigator

This is the full journey level investigator. Incumbents work independently or in teams on a variety of cases, specialized arson and explosive training programs or projects; conduct background and internal affairs investigations and do other related work.

Senior Arson and Bomb Investigator

This is the first supervisory level Investigator. Incumbents have supervisory responsibility for staff within an assigned geographic area of the State and/or have supervisory responsibility for special investigative teams and projects, and do other related work.

Chief Arson and Bomb Investigator

This level is responsible for managing the statewide arson and bomb investigations program and special programs in the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Minimum Qualifications

Arson and Bomb Investigator Assistant

Either I

One year of experience in the Office of the State Fire Marshal performing duties of a State Fire Marshal Trainee assigned to the Arson unit.

Or II

One year of experience in a public agency in the investigation of fires for cause and origin.

Or III

Two years of law enforcement experience in a police department, sheriff's office, or district attorney's office, one year of which shall have been in the investigation of fires and explosions suspected of being of incendiary origin.

Arson and Bomb Investigator

Either I

One year of experience in the Office of the State Fire Marshal performing the duties of an Arson and Bomb Investigator Assistant, Range B.

Or II

Three years of experience in a public agency performing fire prevention work, two years of which shall have been in the investigation of fires for cause and origin. Experience gained at the Office of the State Fire Marshal must be applied under Pattern I.

Or III

Three years of law enforcement experience in a police department, sheriff's office, or district attorney's office, two years of which shall have been in the investigation of fires and explosions suspected of being of incendiary origin.

Senior Arson and Bomb Investigator

Either I

One year of experience in the Office of the State Fire Marshal performing the duties of an Arson and Bomb Investigator.

Or II

Three years of experience in the Office of the State Fire Marshal performing the duties of an Arson and Bomb Investigator Assistant. (One year must have been at Range B.)

Or III

Four years of experience in a public agency investigating fires for cause and origin, two years of which shall have been as a line supervisor of a fire investigation unit. Experience gained at the Office of State Fire Marshal must be applied under Pattern I or II.

Or IV

Four years of arson or bomb investigative experience in police department, sheriff's office, or district attorney's office, two years of which shall have been as a line supervisor of a unit investigating fires and explosions suspected of being of incendiary origin.

Chief Arson and Bomb Investigator

Either I

One year of experience in the Office of the State Fire Marshal performing the duties of a Senior Arson and Bomb Investigator.

Or II

Two years of experience in the Office of the State Fire Marshal performing the duties of an Arson and Bomb Investigator.

Or III

Five years of experience in a public agency performing fire investigative work, three years of which shall have been in a management capacity including responsibility for planning, organizing and directing investigations of fires and explosions for cause and origin.

Or IV

Five years of arson or bomb investigative experience in a police department, sheriff's office, or district attorney's office, three years of which shall have been in a management capacity including responsibility for planning, organizing and directing investigations of fires and explosions suspected of being of incendiary origin.

Knowledge and Abilities

Arson and Bomb Investigator Assistant

Knowledge of: Fire laws; types and characteristics of fire; chemistry and physics of fire ignition and behavior; types of explosions, explosives, and their characteristics; characteristics of vegetation and structural materials under varying degrees of fire intensity and duration; criminal investigation techniques; rules of evidence and court procedures; techniques of identifying, preserving, and presenting evidence; laws of arrest, search and seizure, service of legal process, and the legal rights of citizens; State laws, rules, regulations, and policies relating to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Ability to: Meet work commitments in a timely manner; organize and conduct investigations; gather and analyze facts and evidence and present such evidence as required; use and maintain small firearms; file complaints, serve subpoenas and make physical arrests; interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and policies; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted in the work; prepare concise, accurate, and well written reports and correspondence.

Arson and Bomb Investigator

Knowledge of: All of the above, and sophisticated sources of ignition; modern methods and equipment used in arson detection; civil investigation techniques; background and internal affairs investigation techniques; contemporary training and educational methodology; training and certification process and procedures of the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, State Board of Fire Service and the California State Fire Service Training and Education Program.

Ability to: All of the above, and lead complex and sensitive investigations; conduct background and internal affairs investigations; judicially qualify for and appear as an expert witness; develop, revise, and evaluate curricula for arson training courses including course outlines, instructor guides, student manuals, visual aids, and handouts; prepare, conduct, and monitor arson training course, examinations, and certification for levels of performance standards; effectively represent the State Fire Marshal before groups and lead conferences effectively.

Senior Arson and Bomb Investigator

Knowledge of: All of the above, and office polities and procedures; principles and techniques of personnel management and supervision, including employer-employee relations under the Ralph C. Dills Act; the Office's affirmative action objectives; a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and effectively implement office politics and procedures; plan and organize work assignments; review and evaluate the work of subordinates and give guidance in work methods and procedures; counsel subordinates regarding disciplinary problems; make recommendations for adverse action; effectively contribute to the Office's affirmative action objectives.

Chief Arson and Bomb Investigator

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and practices of public administration and management, including those relating to program planning and evaluation, organizational planning, fiscal management, personnel management, staff development and motivation, delegation, budgeting, executive decision making, and public relations; legislative processes and California State Government organization; programs, policies and problems of the various governmental and private organizations concerned with arson in California.

Ability to: All of the above, and provide effective administrative leadership, in accomplishing the basic functions and objectives of the division; effectively plan, direct, control and evaluate the work of assigned programs, functions, operations, and staff.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Aptitude for investigative work; willingness to work throughout the State and at unusual hours, evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; may be on 24-hour call; alertness and keenness of observations; good memory for details, names, faces, places, and incidents; willingness to associate with criminals, suspects, and work in high crime environments; possession of a valid California driver's license and good driving record, applicants who do not possess this license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment; physical agility; emotional and psychological stability; normal hearing.

Felony Disqualification

Existing law provides that persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers. Such persons are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to positions in this series.

Citizenship Requirement

Existing law provides that peace officers be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. citizenship at least one year prior to the final file date for this examination. The one-year requirement does not apply to permanent resident aliens who have applied for peace officer classes prior to their 19th birthday.

Class History