Fire Arson Investigations Coordinator (Coordinator II - CPPW)

Job Appointment: Full Time
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Alternate schedules may be available.
Work Location: Hybrid. This position reports to 55 SW Ash St, Portland, OR 97204. Remote work must be performed within Oregon or Washington. For more information, click here.
Union Representation: CPPW. To view current labor agreements click here.
Pay Range: $85,217.60 - $121,617.60

Position Summary:

The Fire Arson and Investigations section is responsible for determining the origin and cause of fires, explosions, and other emergency situations. Investigators are dually certified as law enforcement officers and firefighters. Investigators work cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies to determine the cause of fires, identify arson situations and suspects, and assist in the arrest and prosecution of arsonists.  

The Fire/Arson Investigations Unit is considered a law enforcement agency by the State of Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).  As such, the requirements for this law enforcement agency mirror that of the Portland Police Bureau with regards to training, certification, records, and policies and procedures.  As a law enforcement agency, the unit is required to maintain accreditation/certification with the Federal Bureau of Investigations-Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), as well as the State of Oregon-Law Enforcement Database System (LEDS). This position serves as the Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) for the Oregon State Police related to CJIS and LEDS training and certification for the Fire/Arson Investigations Unit.

The information obtained because of fire investigations is driving force behind public education outreach, code enforcement efforts, and community engagement activities.  The analysis of the fire investigations data is reported on a local, state, and nationwide level. The role of the Fire Arson Investigations Coordinator (Coordinator II - CPPW) is central in the functions of the Fire Arson Investigations Unit in compliance with the law with the City of Portland, the State of Oregon, and the federal government as well as program requirements.

What You’ll Do:

• Perform professional, analytical, and operational duties, and community development and outreach activities, by participating in ongoing working groups, special project teams, and collaborative efforts with staff and management. 

• Provide internal and external customer service to City employees and the public on programs and services related to the unit; compile, research, and evaluate customer service complaints and issues; identify areas of concern and develop recommendations for solutions and improvements; prepare clear and concise responses. 

• Coordinate the sharing of information to ensure consistency in unit messaging and branding of programs, services, events, policies, and procedures to increase public awareness of mission and goals. 

• Update and maintain internal databases, mailing lists, and other tracking software; analyze data, identify gaps, and resolve issues. 

• Monitors existing interagency agreements with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  

• Train and lead FIU members in LEDS and CJIS certification and recertification; provide ongoing support to members.

• Create, update and maintain specialized reports.  Organize and provide data from these reports to PF&R Management, the Public Information Officer, other bureaus, and the public in compliance with applicable laws.

• Respond to all public records requests for fire and / or investigative reports.   Respond to requests for information from inside as well as outside the City of Portland. Analyze requests, decide the type and amount of information that can be released, and redact records according to applicable laws.  Consult with the City Attorney’s Office and the Portland Police Bureau on records requests, as needed.

• Monitor all existing fire and investigative records to ensure compliance with records retention laws and process juvenile expungement orders from the County.

• Complete audits with the State of Oregon as the TAC for the Fire/Arson Investigations Unit.  This includes gathering documents, completing pre-audit questionnaires, coordinating with the Police Bureau, and participating in all audits as the representative of Portland Fire & Rescue.

• Track and coordinate fire death information and data for the City of Portland.  Make necessary notifications with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Medical Examiner’s Office when there is a death suspected to be caused by fire.  Update spreadsheets, lists, and reports and distribute data accordingly.

• Administrative support functions for the Fire/Arson Investigations Unit include ordering supplies, timekeeping, call-shift tracking, creating and maintaining confidential files, maintaining and updating shift schedules, and creating, editing, and updating forms, policies, lists and documents.

• Other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be current City of Portland employees (full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary, limited-term, or seasonal/casual) by the closing date of this announcement. Contract workers are not eligible. Individuals with an effective layoff date and recall eligibility under HRAR 7.06 within 24 months of the announcement’s opening date may also apply.

Applicants must demonstrate how their education, training, and experience meet each of the minimum qualifications listed below:

1. Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of business communication and program administration
2. Skill in providing customer service and conflict resolution internally and externally to City employees and the public on programs and services related to Fire Investigations Unit and evaluating customer service complaints and issues
3. Ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively in verbal and written communication to internal and external audiences through comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents
4. Ability to update and maintain internal databases, mailing lists, and other tracking software
5. Ability to analyze, interpret, explain, and apply relevant laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and procedures with interagency agreements and program compliance

Applicants Must Possess

• Ability to pass a comprehensive police background investigation, including fingerprinting from the Oregon State Police
• Ability to obtain LEDS certification and become proficient with the bureau's record management system within three (3) months of hire
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding law enforcement investigations, case management, internal affairs investigations, and other sensitive internal bureau information

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, or related field
• Experience working with a Records Management System in a law enforcement agency
• Experience working in an administrative or support role within a law enforcement records unit, internal affairs/professional standards office, or investigative unit

How to Apply:

• Submit your resume and cover letter by the closing date.
• (Optional) Submit Veterans’ Preference documents, if applicable.
  If this is your first time applying with the City of Portland, or if you haven’t requested veteran preference before (and would like to now), please attach your DD214-Member 4 and/or VA Benefit Letter to your application. Once we verify your eligibility, we’ll record your veteran preference in our system, so it automatically applies to your future applications.
• Click here for application tips for resume, supplemental question response and/or cover letter.

What to Expect:

1. Application Review - (Week of August 3rd): We'll review your application materials to ensure you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
2. Notice/Feedback - (Week of August 10): You will receive an email when the minimum qualification review is complete. If you disagree with the evaluation results, you may request a review within 14 days of the email notice, per City Administrative Rule 3.01.
3. Selection Process - (Mid / Late August): The hiring bureau will review qualified applications, conduct interviews, and check references.
4. Conditional Job Offer - (Early / Mid September): Final candidates will undergo a background or driving record check, depending on the position.

Learn More About:

• How to Apply Videos and Workshops
• City of Portland Core Values
• HRAR-3.01 - Recruitment Processes
• Veteran Preference Information
• Total Compensation and Benefits
• Language Pay Differential Eligibility

We’re committed to providing a fair, inclusive, and accessible hiring process. If you need assistance with your application or would like to request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, pregnancy, or religious belief, please contact the recruiter listed below.

Questions? We're here to help!
If you have questions about this recruitment or need assistance, contact:

Anna Morgan, Senior Recruiter
anna.morgan@portlandoregon.gov
Bureau of Human Resources