Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 48975 
Closing Date: 08/27/2025
​Agency: Office of the State Fire Marshal
Class Title: ARSON INVESTIGATOR II - 01482 
Skill Option: None 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary:  $7,001 - $9,472 / Monthly - CBA Language Applies OR Anticipated Starting Salary for Non-State $7,001
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: McHenry; Boone; Cook; DeKalb; Kane; Lake
Number of Vacancies:  1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC029 Paraprofessional Investigatory & Law Enforcement Employees, Meat and Poultry Inspectors, and Meat and Poultry Inspector Trainees, IFPE. The RC-033 bargaining unit merged into RC-029 bargaining unit effective May 15, 2014.

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position  MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website.

State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the  SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

This position requires the selected candidate to live in McHenry County (or a contingent county) within six (6) months of hire.

Position Identification Number

48975

 

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

 

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Marketing Statement

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is accepting applications to fill the position of Arson Investigator II – Canine Handler/Special Agent. The successful candidate has obtained significant experience conducting effective and efficient arson investigations and must possess the ability to make quick decisions in situations of high uncertainty. The candidate will serve as a trained arson investigator and canine handler in the determination of cause, origin, and circumstances of fires suspected of arson. The ideal candidate possesses good communication skills and the ability to professionally interact with the general public. As an Arson Investigator II – Canine Handler/Special Agent and employee of the State of Illinois, the selected candidate will have access to state healthcare, benefits, and a pension plan. We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join the OSFM team.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a certified canine handler for arson investigations in an assigned area.
• Travels to conduct complex and problematic investigations of suspicious fires and/or explosions to determine the cause and original to resolve perpetration.
• Conducts a complete examination of the exterior of the fire involved structure including condition of doors and windows for possible forcible entry, discarded flammable liquid containers, footprints, exterior area of heaviest burn, and type of ventilation.
• Conducts examination of electrical system including appliances, wiring, outlets, connections, and meters to determine if such systems were the cause of the fire or a contributing factor.
• Creates photographs and videography of the fire scene, including before and after debris removal, evidence of containers, trailers, flammable liquid burn patterns, fire travel, and destruction patterns.
• Prepares documentation to prove how the arson was committed, the materials used and ignited, prove the intent and motive, person(s) responsible, analyze available data to identify any trends or patterns involved; such as, day of week, time of day, methods used, area where fire originated, and any possible connection with other fires on local, county, state, or national level.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion four (4) years of college which may include coursework in fire science, fire science administration, law, forensic science, criminal justice, or criminology.
• Requires two (2) years of experience as a sworn officer, in good standing, of a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency per the Illinois Police Training Act.
• Requires one of the following: A) Requires completion of a full-time law enforcement academy; OR (B) Meets contractual requirements to attain promotion from Arson Investigator I to Arson Investigator II.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers more than three (3) years of professional experience as a criminal investigator, forensic fire investigator, or professional fire investigative experience.
• Prefers three (3) or more years of experience in the proper collection, maintenance, and storage of evidence.
• Prefers certification as a Lead Homicide Investigator through an accredited institution.
• Prefers certification as an Evidence Technician through an accredited institution.
• Prefers a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a K9 handler.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience maintaining comprehensive data and investigation reports in the Bomb and Arson Tracking System (BATS).
• Prefers two (2) or more years in the utilization of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams or other software programs.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid, appropriate, and current driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to pass a background check with self-disclosure of criminal history and drug screening.
• Requires the ability to travel statewide with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires candidate to be a resident of the position county or a contingent county within six (6) months of employment.
• Requires the ability to commit to and provide necessary and appropriate care and training of assigned canine partners through continued recertification and 24-hour availability of canine handlers and their dogs.
• Requires ability to qualify for a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card.
• Requires ability to pass physical agility test at time of potential hire and an acceptable level of physical fitness be maintained in accordance with agency standards.
• Requires ability to satisfy all continuing education or recertification requirements mandated by statute, rule, or the OSFM.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
• This position is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)). Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
  The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

 

 

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5PM; Field Position, Home Office
Work Location: 1035 Stevenson Dr Springfield, IL 62703-4259
Agency Contact: Kathy Fairfield
Email: sfm.hr@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-6746

 

Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance

About the Agency

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is dedicated to working with our partners and providing assistance to the fire service in the protection of life, property, and the environment through communication, inspection, investigation, certification, and licensing. The OSFM is committed to fostering a work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: 

 

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Part time, Apprenticeship, Traineeship, Work at office, Local area, Home office, Live in, Flexible hours, Night shift, Monday to Friday,

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