Zone Fire Trespass Specialist/Fire Investigator

Description: This position serves as the primary Wildfire Investigator and Fire Trespass Coordinator for an assigned interagency dispatch zone, providing specialized expertise in wildfire origin and cause determination, fire trespass investigations, suppression cost recovery, and interagency coordination. Throughout the year, you'll transition between emergency response, technical investigations, fire operations, training, public outreach, and collaboration with local, state, and federal partners. During fire season, you'll respond to active wildfires as a lead or support investigator within your assigned dispatch zone, determining fire origin and cause to support public safety, criminal accountability, civil cost recovery, and future wildfire prevention. Beyond emergency response, you'll coordinate fire trespass investigations, assist law enforcement and prosecutors, mentor developing investigators, deliver training, and support statewide fire prevention initiatives that protect Utah's citizens, communities, and natural resources. As part of FFSL's specialized statewide wildfire investigation program, you'll work both independently and as a member of a highly collaborative team alongside the Statewide Fire Trespass Coordinator, Area Fire Management Officers, Area Managers, Prevention Specialists, Incident Management Teams, county and municipal fire departments, federal land management agencies, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, dispatch centers, and wildfire investigators throughout Utah. Together, you'll strengthen wildfire investigations, improve public safety, reduce human-caused wildfires, recover suppression costs on behalf of Utah taxpayers, and promote responsible stewardship of the state's public and private lands. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine emergency response, scientific investigation, law enforcement coordination, public service, leadership, and natural resource protection into one challenging and rewarding career. Day-to-day responsibilities of this position: Serve as the primary Wildfire Investigator and Fire Trespass Coordinator for an assigned interagency dispatch zone, providing leadership and technical expertise in wildfire origin and cause determination, fire trespass investigations, and suppression cost recovery. Respond to wildfire incidents during initial and extended attack to conduct fire analyses, determine origin and cause, evaluate the need for formal investigations, preserve evidence, and support Incident Command and area resources with scene security and investigative guidance. Conduct wildfire origin and cause investigations by applying scientific principles, nationally recognized investigative methodologies, and NWCG guidance to determine wildfire origin and cause. Identify wildfire causes through scientific analysis, examination of fire spread indicators and burn patterns, assist with witness interviews and evidence collection, complete documentation, mapping, photography, diagrams, and technical reporting suitable for criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Protect wildfire origin areas, recognize and document potential physical evidence, assist law enforcement with evidence collection, and support coordinated investigations with law enforcement and cooperating agencies. Prepare comprehensive investigative reports, technical documentation, cost recovery packages, demand letters, case summaries, and supporting records while providing expert witness testimony during criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. Administer the zone fire trespass and suppression cost recovery program by evaluating human-caused fires, reviewing suppression costs, preparing documentation in accordance with Utah Administrative Rule, and coordinating with Statewide Fire Trespass Coordinator, Area Managers, Area Fire Management Officers, finance personnel, legal counsel, and prosecutors. Coordinate and oversee wildfire investigation activities throughout the assigned dispatch zone by implementing statewide investigation policies and procedures, maintaining quality assurance standards, managing investigative records, reviewing reports, tracking investigation metrics and human-caused fire trends, and supporting statewide program initiatives. Serve as the zone subject matter expert for wildfire investigations by providing technical guidance to fire managers, Incident Management Teams, law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, dispatch centers, partner agencies, and neighboring dispatch zones during periods of increased activity. Develop and mentor current and future wildfire investigators by delivering NWCG wildfire investigation courses, conducting field exercises, evaluating task books, supporting qualification development, sharing lessons learned, and promoting professional growth. Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with local, county, tribal, state, and federal agencies to support coordinated wildfire investigations, fire prevention initiatives, emergency response, and public safety objectives. Support FFSL's broader fire management mission by assisting with initial attack operations, prescribed fire planning, Wildland-Urban Interface assessments, fuels reduction projects, fire prevention and community outreach, Incident Management Team assignments, and other statewide fire management priorities as assigned.