Forensic Fire Investigator - Salt Lake City, Utah

Overview

Investigate fire and explosion origins, analyze evidence, report findings, and testify.

Key Responsibilities

• fire analysis
• evidence collection
• scene securing
• cause determination
• client support
• code research

Tasks

-Facilitates and helps present continuing education seminars on fire-related topics. -Assists in securing the fire/explosion scene to prevent removal or damage of potential evidence. -Searches for, identifies, collects, and labels any potential evidence/items from the fire scene, including devices used to set, start, or further the progress of fire; protects the chain of custody of potential evidence/items. -Conducts on-site, hands-on forensic fire analysis. This includes scene photography, interviewing witnesses, gathering information, taking possession of items, determining cause and origin, preparing reports, and providing testimony in deposition and trial. -Determines the origin and cause of fires and explosions involving structures, equipment, vehicles, heavy equipment, agricultural equipment, and other losses. -Provides technical and scientific support to clients for subrogation and litigation purposes. -Conducts code compliance research including electrical, gas, fire, building and installation code violations.

Requirements

• aas fire
• iaai-cfi
• nafi-cfei
• 5+ years
• microsoft office
• analytical

What You Bring

-Ability to write scopes of work clearly and coherently, budget estimates, schedules, reports of findings, proposals, general correspondence, and other technical documents. -AAS in Fire Science, Fire Investigation, Forensic Science or related experience as a fire investigator, firefighter, or law enforcement officer/investigator. -IAAI-CFI certification preferred. -Must have a high level of analytical skills. Work requires continual attention to detail with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. -Capable of effectively presenting information to top management, clients, public groups, and/or boards of directors. -Physical Demands - Work is performed both in an office setting and at outside locations (i.e. Client’s office, industrial, construction, and/or residential sites). Employee is frequently required to climb ladders, walk on roofs, and work in space-limited areas. Employees must wear a tight-fitting respirator during investigations. An employee may be required to shovel fire debris, move furniture and other household/ commercial items and operate lifts as needed. An employee may lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. An employee must be sharp, focused, and alert when conducting site inspections, interacting with clients, preparing written reports of findings, and testifying in deposition or trial. Clear vision and depth perception are also necessary. -Must be able to interact and communicate with clients at all levels (e.g. internal and external). -Ability to respond to inquiries from internal and external clients. -A minimum of NAFI-CFEI with the ability to obtain an IAAI-CFI within 18 months. -Must have knowledge of a variety of computer software applications including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Applications and computer-assisted engineering and design software. -Travel Requirements - This position requires up to 50% local travel. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be required. Valid driver’s license and reliable form of transportation. -5+ years of related work experience in fire investigation or a related field. -Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical reports, journals, financial reports, and legal documents.

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Benefits

-Overtime - This position is classified as salaried with a non-exempt FLSA status. There may be periods where overtime will be required, which the employee will need to comply with to meet the demands of the position.

About Rimkus

-Began as a home-based forensic engineering consultancy by chemical engineer Robert E. Rimkus. -Over four decades, expanded into a global network. -Financially backed by private equity partner HGGC since 2024. -Typical projects include double-deck tunnel assessments, run-of-river hydro plants, and other engineering challenges. -Core specialisms include forensic analysis of failures, built-environment consulting, expert witness services, and laboratory testing. -Standout capabilities include human performance labs, materials failure labs, forensic meteorology tools, and product safety testing. -Strategic acquisitions—like CCi in 2021—broadened its reach into building consulting and claims support. -Noteworthy for its in-house WeatherPath™ app, wildfire preparedness guidance, and forensic fire & explosion investigation teams. -Work bridges technical consulting, legal dispute resolution, construction oversight, and scientific testing, serving insurers, law firms, governments, and corporates.

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