Competitive – discussed on application

Overview

Our client is an established international scientific and technical consultancy providing independent forensic investigation, scientific consultancy, surveying, testing and expert witness services across a broad range of industries.

They are seeking a Head of Group – Fire & Explosion to undertake and support complex fire and explosion investigations worldwide. The position combines hands-on forensic investigation with the technical judgement required to assess multidisciplinary incidents involving electrical, mechanical and chemical factors.

The role sits within a multidisciplinary consultancy environment, with investigators able to draw upon specialist scientific, engineering and laboratory expertise when an investigation extends beyond their own technical discipline.

The Role

The successful candidate will lead the global team of Fire & Explosion experts, combining technical leadership with responsibility for developing client relationships, networking and supporting business development across the Group.

Alongside this leadership remit, they will remain technically active, personally investigating the origin, cause and circumstances of fires and explosions across a diverse range of incidents, working independently or alongside other scientific and engineering specialists as required.

Responsibilities will include:

• Responding to live fire and explosion incidents, including international attendance at short notice.
• Conducting systematic scene examinations to establish the origin and root cause of fires and explosions.
• Assessing electrical, mechanical and chemical factors relevant to incident causation and recognising when additional specialist expertise is required.
• Gathering, preserving and evaluating physical evidence from incident scenes.
• Undertaking practical debris examination, recording and excavation.
• Identifying and obtaining appropriate samples for subsequent testing and laboratory analysis.
• Evaluating witness evidence alongside electronic, documentary and physical evidence.
• Using laboratory investigation and analytical testing to support determination of causation.
• Considering potential ignition sources, fire development and spread when reconstructing incidents.
• Assessing material behaviour in fire environments, including potential fire propagation and susceptibility to spontaneous ignition where relevant.
• Contributing to the use of physical or mathematical models and three-dimensional fire-scene modelling where appropriate to the investigation.
• Producing clear, technically robust reports suitable for insurers, lawyers, technical specialists and other interested parties.
• Presenting and defending technical findings under peer scrutiny.
• Providing expert evidence in court or arbitration where required.
• Conducting investigations and maintaining evidence and records to appropriate forensic standards.

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Strong practical and theoretical problem-solving ability within complex technical investigations.
• The ability to investigate fires and explosions methodically and objectively, working from the available physical, documentary, electronic and witness evidence.
• An understanding of electrical, mechanical and chemical factors in fire and explosion incidents.
• Sound judgement in identifying issues outside their own technical specialism and engaging appropriate experts.
• The ability to operate effectively and make technical decisions at incident scenes, including when working independently.
• Strong evidence recording, analytical and technical report-writing skills.
• The ability to explain complex technical findings clearly to both specialist and non-technical audiences.
• The technical confidence to support conclusions when subjected to critical review or cross-examination.
• Willingness and availability to travel internationally at short notice.

Qualifications

• A suitable Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering.
• A related Doctorate is preferred.
• Chartered is preferred

Ideally You Will Have

• Previous experience of fire and explosion investigation and/or forensic consultancy.
• Experience undertaking practical, hands-on incident and scene investigation.
• Experience integrating scene evidence with laboratory or scientific analysis.
• Experience preparing technical or expert reports arising from forensic investigations.
• Exposure to expert witness work, court proceedings or arbitration.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary investigations involving scientific and engineering specialists.
• The ability to work across a varied caseload involving different industries, incident types and technical causes.

Working Arrangements

• Based in London or Cardiff.
• Significant incident-driven travel should be expected and be willing and able to travel worldwide at short notice.
• Investigations may be undertaken independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team depending upon the nature and complexity of the incident.

Package

• Competitive terms and conditions.
• Full details discussed on application.

Application Details

Send your CV & Details to – CV@charlesfranciscooper.co.uk (please state in the Subject line – Head of Group – Fire & Explosion)

Charles Francis Cooper celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.

(Charles Francis Cooper are acting as an employment agency)

Keywords

Fire & Explosion, Fire Investigation, Explosion Investigation, Forensic Investigation, Forensic Engineering, Root Cause Investigation, Origin and Cause, Fire Scene Investigation, Explosion Scene Investigation, Incident Investigation, Failure Investigation, Evidence Examination, Debris Examination, Laboratory Analysis, Accelerant Residues, Ignition Sources, Fire Growth, Fire Spread, Spontaneous Ignition, Fire Modelling, Expert Witness, Court Evidence, Arbitration, Scientific Consultancy, Engineering Consultancy, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Head of Group, Head of Department, Team Lead, Principal Investigator

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