SUPERVISING FIRE INVESTIGATOR
To land Supervising Fire Investigator in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2027 range lands between $91,628 and $134,900, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Community Affairs.
How to apply
-
Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
-
Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
-
Agency posting
Department of Community Affairs posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $130,339. The agencies employing the most are:
- Community Affairs (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under general direction of a higher level supervisory official, in the Department of Community Affairs, supervises subordinate fire investigators and work activities in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:71-3.3 et seq., investigates fires on/involving state property and fires involving the injury or fatality of firefighters and fires in municipalities where the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety serves as the Local Enforcing Agency (LEA) per N.J.A.C. 5:71-2.1 et seq., assists outside agency investigators at large scale or complex fire scenes; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Plans, organizes, and assigns organizational unit work. Evaluates employee performance and conduct. Assigns investigators in response to request for investigations. Develops and supervises implementation of fire investigations, firefighter fatality investigations, and serious injury investigation plans and procedures. Evaluates all investigative policies and procedures on an ongoing basis to identify deficiencies and/or initiate improved methods of operation. Determines compliance with all applicable laws and regulations related to incidents investigated. Supervises investigations and/or investigates and analyzes evidence of fires to determine origins and causes. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Testifies as an expert witness in court. Supervises examination of and/or examines fire sites and collects evidence to determine origins and causes using investigation techniques and equipment. Supervises investigations and/or investigates and analyzes incidents that result in serious injury or death to firefighters. Supervises photography and/or takes photographs of fire damage and evidence for use in analyzing cases. Supervises interviewing of and/or interviews fire department personnel, police, those who report the fires, and others. Reviews subordinate fire investigator reports to ensure accuracy. Supervises compilation of and/or compiles results to determine probable cause of fires and/or firefighter serious injuries and death. Supervises reporting of and/or reports probable causes of fires and/or firefighter serious injuries and death. Supervises the review of and/or reviews inspection records and violation notices as a part of an investigation. Supervises and/or recommends immediate evacuation of buildings, structures, or premises based on fire code when an imminent hazard exists due to a fire incident. Interprets legal and technical regulations regarding New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.1 et seq.). Supervises investigation of and/or investigates complaints of alleged fire code violations. Supervises identification of and/or identifies fire code deficiencies in firefighter training and certification requirements. Determines if code violations caused or contributed to a fire. Recommends Fire Code updates based on observations made during investigations. Supervises implementation of New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.1 et seq.). Reviews incidents of serious injury and death of firefighters and identifies measures to prevent future occurrence under similar circumstances. May assist management in development of investigative services policies and procedures. Supervises specialized duties performed by the unit, such as K-9 handlers. Acts as Department of Community Affairs representative for relevant matters and hearings. Maintains necessary records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of techniques used to effectively manage a staff of field personnel. Knowledge of techniques used to investigate causes of fire. Knowledge of fire incident operations and management. Knowledge of NJ Uniform Fire Safety Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.) codes and regulations. Knowledge of methods used to identify and analyze fire evidence. Knowledge of firefighter training practices. Knowledge of interviewing techniques. Knowledge of fire-related and fire code enforcement investigative procedures. Knowledge of municipal code enforcement procedures and common problems. Knowledge of building and construction methods and materials. Knowledge of K-9 Acceleration Detection training and methodology. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to evaluate staff performance. Ability to organize assigned field and office work. Ability to prepare detailed and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to collect and analyze data. Ability to provide testimony in court. Ability to conduct various types of interviews. Ability to conduct investigations. Ability to maintain records and files. Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to explain existing and potential fire safety hazards to others. Ability to work harmoniously with others, providing instruction and direction as required. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Eight (8) years of full-time experience (career or volunteer) in fire service that includes fire suppression or fire code enforcement. -AND- Eight (8) years of full-time fire investigation experience with either a fire or law enforcement agency. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and six (6) years of professional experience in both areas identified above. Applicants with part-time fire service experience will have their experience pro-rated based upon a full-time 35-hour workweek (i.e., 20 part-time hours per week = 0.57 years full-time experience). Applicants with fire investigation as an ancillary function of their main job duties MUST provide the number of hours per week that they performed that duty workweek (i.e., 20 hours per week = 0.57 years full-time experience). "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions. Appointees must continue to maintain valid Fire Investigator Certification, Fire Official Certification, and Incident Management Level 1 Certification issued by the NJ Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.
CERTIFICATION
Applicants will be required to possess a Fire Investigator Certification, Fire Official Certification, and Incident Management Level 1 Certification issued by the NJ Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.