Training Chief

Position: Training Chief
Supervisor: Deputy Chief of Operations
Division: Training
FLSA Status: Exempt
Effective Date: March 2024

Salary Range - $171,000.00 - $182,000.00 (DoQ)

**For additional information and a detailed description of the position and benefits click on the link below**

Training Chief Announcement

**This postion will remain open until filled**

This Job Description is established by the South Adams County Fire Protection District (“District”) to outline the basic requirements, duties and general responsibilities of the Training Chief position and is written to complement the District's Policy Manual and Standard Operating Guidelines.

**This position holds a probationary status of 12 months from date of hire/promotion**

The headings in this Job Description are for reference only and shall not affect its interpretation.

Position Summary:

The Training Chief's primary duty is the performance of office or non-manual work directly related to training as it pertains to general operations of the District by researching, planning and implementing basic and advanced technical training programs, including firefighting tactics and strategy, fire apparatus hazardous materials and EMS services, and ensuring adherence to safe practices on the fire ground and at other emergency incidents.

Supervisory Responsibility:

The Training Chief directly supervises the Training Facility Coordinator , Training Captain, Training Officer / Quartermaster, Wellness Coordinator Training Facility Admin. and any other personnel assigned to the Training Division in performing their training–related duties. The Training Chief may also supervise, directly or through subordinates, all Operations Division personnel in training activities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are an overview of the primary responsibilities of the Training Chief and should not be considered an all-inclusive list.

1. Exercises discretion on matters of significance, including but not limited to: assisting District management in developing short and long range plans for the Training Division; performing training that supports the District's operations and services; evaluating the District’s training facilities and equipment, implementing, or making recommendations to the Deputy Chief of Operations or the Fire Chief regarding, repairs, upgrades, replacement or acquisition of new or used training facilities and/or training equipment; continually monitoring and evaluating all components of the District’s training program, and implementing, or making recommendations to the Deputy Chief of Operations or the Fire Chief regarding, deleting or upgrading existing training components, or adding new training components, as necessary and appropriate to maintain a high quality, effective training program, taking into consideration factors such as budgetary limitations, workforce size, and service requirements; continually identifying and evaluating new or improved training systems, techniques and methods in emergency services; assisting with administrative policies and procedures for the District’s training program, provided, however, that no policy or procedure shall be inconsistent with the policies and procedures established by the District Board or the Fire Chief, including but not limited to the policies and procedures contained in the District’s Policy Manual or Standard Operating Guidelines.

2. Supervise and perform continuing evaluation of subordinates and personnel; assisting in the correction of work deficiencies on the training ground and recommending formal disciplinary actions to the Deputy Chief of Operations with respect to supervised employees and line personnel on the fire ground.

3. Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to collect, integrate, analyze, and use data and information, and compare and evaluate possible actions or courses of conduct related to training based upon such analysis.

4. Demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the District’s policies and procedures including but not limited to the policies and procedures contained in the District’s Policy Manual and Standard Operating Guidelines; consistently and appropriately enforcing the District’s policies and procedures on the training ground.

5. May respond to emergency scenes to support, observe and evaluate emergency operations activities of companies on-site. Report events to the Incident Commander and/or immediate supervisor.

6. Research, develop, implement and evaluate firefighting /safety training programs, promotional examinations, and SACFD hosted recruit academies.

7. Develop/collaborate on policies, with the safety committee, on avoiding injury or illness.

8. Review training related accidents and injuries to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

9. Supervise the development of manuals, courses and other training methods.

10. Advise company officers of training problems and recommend solutions to officers and their Battalion Chiefs.

11. Oversight of SACFD training records and prepare reports.

12. Direct and supervise drill ground training activities.

13. Supervise the examination and grading of fire personnel.

14. Supervise basic emergency medical training.

15. Maintain familiarity with the District's service area.

16. Participate in all scheduled and assigned training classes.

17. Assist in developing the proposed annual budget for the training program and ensure the training program stays within the annual budget (and any supplemental annual budget(s)) approved by the District's Board of Directors.

18. Exercise oversight of the Wellness Program and offer support to the Wellness Program Coordinator.

19. Develop and maintain positive, effective working relationships with District employees, volunteers, residents, other governmental entities and the community.

20. Maintain positive and constructive written and oral communication skills at all times.

21. Work well in a progressive, team-oriented environment.

22. Provide excellent service to the community.

23. Have a positive attitude and be a self-starter.

24. Promote a positive, professional image of the District at all times.

25. Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Minimum Qualifications and Certification Requirements:

1. Possess high school diploma or G.E.D.

2. Possess an Associate's degree in Fire Science, Business, Public Administration, or related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities for the position.

(If an Associates is not obtained prior to employment or promotion then the ability to obtain an Associates is required within the first two (2) years of employment/promotion.)

3. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible fire service experience and achieved rank of Captain or higher.

4. Possess and maintain a valid driver's license (without interruption) and acceptable driving record. Colorado Drivers License is required within the first six (6) months.

5. Possess and maintain (without interruption) a Fire Instructor I certification (Fire Instructor II preferred).

6. Possess and Maintain (without interruption) State or CMCB Hazardous Materials Operations certification (Haz Mat Technician preferred).

7. Possess and maintain (without interruption) a State or CMCB Fire Officer I certification.

8. Possess and maintain (without interruption) a State Proctor or CMCB Evaluator 2 certification.

9. Possess and maintain (without interruption) a State EMT-Basic certification.

10. Possess required National Fire Academy N.I.M.S. program certifications (100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800).

11. Possess considerable knowledge of the principles and practices involved in instructing and training members of the fire service.

12. Knowledge of fire suppression principles, methods, techniques and practices.

13. Knowledge of purpose and use of various tools, equipment and apparatuses used in fire suppression.

14. Basic knowledge of fire codes used during inspection of Training Facilities.

15. Possess a strong knowledge and understanding of fire service training and certification tracking programs.

16. Represent the department in the Colorado State Fire Training Officers Association (CFTOA), North Area Training Chiefs Working Group and Colorado Metropolitan Certification Board (CMCB) Training Chief Advisory Group

17. Ability to review available technical materials and make recommendations concerning firefighting and emergency care methods.

18. Ability to research, test, evaluate and make recommendations concerning innovations in firefighting and emergency care equipment.

19. Ability to develop and administer periodic examinations over established materials covered by probationary or promotional test procedures.

20. Ability to research, organize, and conduct professional training sessions relevant to modern firefighting and emergency care techniques.
21. Ability to become certified in specific areas of technology related to fire service and to pass this knowledge on to other District members.

22. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.

23. Ability to seek out and apply for grant funding for training related equipment, classes and facility needs.

24. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from internal and external customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

25. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.

26. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small or large group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

27. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

28. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

29. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at a level adequate to perform the duties of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.
2. Driver Operator Utility certification preferred.
3. CPSE Training Officer Certification
4. Fire Officer II (within 6 months)
5. Incident Safety Officer Certification (within 1 year)
6. NFPA 1403 – Live Fire Instructor (within 1 year)

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

This position requires work in a variety of locations and conditions, including living quarters and office areas, in and around a wide variety of automotive, mechanical, chemical and medical equipment or supplies, and emergency scenes of every type.
1. A portion of this position will involve sedentary, administrative work in an office environment; however, in emergency situations, the Training Chief may be required to supervise fire ground activities at an emergency incident.
2. Strenuous physical activity under extreme adverse conditions will be required occasionally.
3. This position requires standing, running, walking, sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending, lifting, squatting, pushing, pulling, crawling, jumping, sliding, climbing, pinching, gripping, digging, spraying, reaching over head, reaching away from body, and repetitive motion.
4. Will be required to work in all weather conditions and in extreme temperatures.
5. Work may be performed under dangerous, hazardous and adverse conditions, including, but not limited to, weakened structures, slippery and uneven surfaces, proximity to moving mechanical equipment, burning structures, broken glass or other materials, electrical currents, high places, and confined spaces.
6. Work may result in exposure to contaminated environments, including but not limited to, hazardous materials, smoke, gases, chemicals, fumes, odors, mists and dusts, requiring the use of Personal Protection Equipment.
7. Work may result in exposure to individuals or blood carrying infectious diseases or illnesses, such as Hepatitis A, B or C, HIV, tuberculosis, small pox, etc.
8. Work may result in exposure to high noise levels requiring the wearing of hearing protection.
9. This position demands frequent use of sensory activities such as talking, seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling (identifying objects by touch), depth perception and color vision.
10. This position will involve frequent periods of high physical, mental and/or emotional stress.
11. Must have good close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus quickly.

12. Must be able to wear all assigned personal protective equipment.