Senior Technical Program Manager, Fire Investigator

Senior Technical Program Manager – Fire Investigation

Grade 8
Career Level: P4 Specialist

Job Function Summary

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.

Career Level Summary

• 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.
• Solves 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.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management & Planning

• 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.

Fire Investigation & Technical Analysis

• 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.

Strategy and Team Leadership

• 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.

Program Controls

• 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.

Stakeholder Engagement

• 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.

Process Improvement

• Leads business process improvement initiatives related to fire investigation, ignition prevention, risk mitigation, and emergency response.
• Establishes performance metrics and process controls to measure effectiveness.
• Acts as a change agent to drive continuous improvement across programs and technical initiatives.

Project Reporting & Documentation

• Develops and maintains program-level governance structures.
• Ensures documentation is secure, defensible, and compliant with regulatory and legal standards.
• Catalogues and archives investigation artifacts and lessons learned to strengthen future performance.

Internal & External Collaboration

• Maintains key relationships across the organization, including senior executives.
• Provides enterprise subject matter expertise in fire investigation and technical program management.
• Represents the company in industry forums, working groups, and inter-utility coordination efforts.
• Partners with customers, fire agencies, and peer utilities to share best practices and strengthen industry collaboration.

Education / Experience / Certifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Natural Resources, Business, or related technical field, or equivalent experience.
Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

Typically eight (8) or more years of experience in fire investigation, wildfire mitigation, utility operations, technical program management, engineering, or related technical field.

Certifications, Licenses & Training

Required:

• NWCG INVF – Wildland Fire Investigator
• FI-210 – Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination

Preferred:

• NWCG INVL and FI-310
• Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) or Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (or ability to obtain)
• PMP Certification
• Professional Engineer (PE), where applicable

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

Functional Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of wildland fire behavior, ignition mechanisms, and origin and cause methodologies.
• Advanced understanding of electric utility operations, equipment, and wildfire ignition risk.
• Advanced knowledge of program and project management methodologies and controls.
• Knowledge of Oregon wildfire, utility, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Advanced analytical and investigative skills, including risk modeling and scientific evaluation.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, GIS tools, evidence management systems, and enterprise documentation systems.
• Advanced skills in technical report writing and documentation development.
• Advanced communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Advanced listening and interviewing skills.

General Competencies

• Advanced consulting skills
• Advanced decision-making skills
• Intermediate enterprise/business acumen
• Advanced negotiation skills
• Advanced organization and prioritization skills
• Advanced presentation and facilitation skills
• Advanced team-building and mentoring skills
• Advanced written and oral communication skills