Senior Technical Program Manager, Fire Investigator

Senior Technical Program Manager – Fire Investigation

Grade 8

Career Level:

P4 Specialist

Manages complex technical programs and investigations related to fire science, wildfire risk, ignition prevention, energy systems, data analytics, and other emerging technical initiatives requiring advanced technical expertise.

Leads high-impact programs and investigations with enterprise-wide implications, ensuring alignment with regulatory, operational, safety, and strategic objectives.

• Requires advanced depth and breadth of technical expertise.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert within the company.
• Interprets internal and external business, regulatory, operational, and vendor issues.
• Anticipates business challenges and regulatory risks; recommends process, product, or service improvements.
• Solve unique and complex problems using scientific, investigative, and risk-based approaches with broad business impact.
• Works independently with limited direction in highly complex or sensitive situations.
• May lead investigation teams, major programs, projects, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Progression to this level is restricted based on sustained performance, demonstrated expertise, and business need.

• Leads a single major technical program or multiple moderate projects related to fire investigation, wildfire mitigation, energy systems, analytics, or emerging technologies.
• Serves as a company expert; develops best practices and consults with business unit leaders to ensure strategic alignment, cost effectiveness, and mitigation of operational and customer impacts.
• Develops or oversees development of program and project plans, including work breakdown structure (WBS), schedule and cost baselines, budget management, dependencies, resource requirements, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Partners with Supply Chain, Legal, IT, Fleet, and sponsors on vendor negotiations and contract strategy.
• Establishes governance structures and ensures compliance with established methodologies and standards.

• Leads comprehensive origin and cause investigations for wildland, structural, and mixed-interface fire incidents potentially involving company facilities or operations.
• Applies scientifically accepted fire investigation methodologies consistent with NWCG, NFPA, and industry best practices.
• Collects, documents, preserves, and manages physical, electronic, and geospatial evidence in accordance with legal, regulatory, and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Conducts scene examinations, witness interviews, and technical data reviews.
• Represents the company during active incidents, post-incident investigations, and multi-agency coordination efforts.
• Prepares detailed, defensible investigation reports documenting findings, methodology, and supporting evidence.

• Assists leadership in developing program strategy and long-term fire investigation and prevention initiatives.
• Leads multiple strategic initiatives to completion.
• Provides staff leadership; facilitates team meetings; reinforces professional standards and investigation protocols.
• Mentors investigators and project managers to improve technical capability and program execution.
• Takes corrective action as needed to ensure performance, compliance, and productivity.

• Establishes and maintains formal controls to manage budget, scope, quality, schedule, and risk across assigned programs and investigations.
• Negotiates necessary scope or schedule adjustments with stakeholders.
• Maintains and updates overall program plans and reporting dashboards.

• Develops and executes communication plans to provide accurate and timely program updates.
• Coordinates with local, state, tribal, and federal fire agencies, law enforcement, emergency responders, and other utilities.
• Collaborates internally with Legal, Risk, Operations, Communications, Emergency Management, and executive leadership.
• Promotes adherence to reporting and documentation standards to ensure accuracy and defensibility.

• Leads business process improvement initiatives…