Fire Safety & Training Officer

Responsible for performing necessary and appropriate training for all members of an assigned shift in the operations division.  

An employee in this class directs, plans, organizes, delivers, presents, demonstrates, evaluates, and coordinates the training of and for the department, other city departments and recruit academies. During an emergency incident, the Fire Safety and Training Officer may assume command roles of fire ground and emergency operations, or perform other duties related to the emergency incident as directed by Incident Command. Provides logistical support to the organization, acts as Safety Officer on emergency incidents, assists with fire inspections as needed, and evaluates safety at the stations. Work is performed under the general supervision of Battalion Chief and is evaluated based on individual and department performance objectives, observation, reports, and quality and quantity of work performed. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Evaluates, develops, maintains, coordinates and updates training programs, manuals and guidelines using current NFPA standards and OHSA regulations as the guide for the department for consistent training delivery. 
• Plans, develops, schedules, coordinates and implements the full range of training programs, including continuing education requirements; prepares lesson plans and training materials; plans and schedules training exercises; teaches in classrooms and at training grounds testing the knowledge and performance of fire personnel. 
• Schedules certification courses needed by personnel for career development, such as Probationary Firefighter or Senior Firefighter processes. 
• Maintains all required certifications and recertifications for assigned shift members, including EMT, Child Passenger Safety Seat, Fire Inspector, and other mandatory credentials.  
• Maintains confidential, accurate, and timely training records on uniformed personnel. 
• Administers, coordinates and assists in job performance testing  
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for training activities; and identifies resource needs. 
• Sets up, maintains and uses training equipment and props for corresponding educational programs. 
• Completes necessary and required training; retains and maintains all certifications as required to maintain or improve skills and perform effectively as an officer of the department. 
• Performs training job-site analysis for ergonomics, safety purposes, and injury prevention. 
• Manages maintenance, testing, and inspections for training equipment, in accordance with NFPA standards. 
• Promotes a behavior that sets a positive professional example for personal accountability, integrity, and professionalism for the department. 
• Provides logistical support to the organization and assists with ordering supplies, scheduling maintenance, delivering supplies, and other duties as assigned.   
• Assists with Fire Inspections as needed  
• Evaluates safety at the fire stations and on emergency incidents and develops programs that reduce injuries as well as hazards 
• Works in a safe manner, maintains a professional appearance, and positively represents the department. 
• Demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of department rules and standard operating guidelines, and consistently and appropriately enforces these through supervision and leadership. 
• Develops, modifies, and assists in administering all programs associated with the department’s training program. 
• Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills with members of the public, supervisors, peers, employees and volunteers, other public and private individuals and agencies, and the community, including constructive dissenting opinion. 
• Demonstrates flexibility in workflow processes and scheduling to accommodate department standardized training and evaluations, education/programs, academy training and candidate hiring processes to include working weekdays, weekends, holidays, evenings and nights, as directed to include being on call periodically, which requires responses while off duty to requests for second or greater alarms and special response calls. 
• Works overtime when ordered. 
• Assists in confidential tasks and assignments as directed by the Fire Chief or Designee. 
• Supports the implementation and training of key performance metrics to sustain long-term department growth through integrating appropriate areas of the strategic plan with annual work plan into job performance. 
• Drives motor vehicles safely and lawfully in emergency and non-emergency situations. 
• Serves in other positions in the department as deemed necessary under the direction of the Command Staff. 
• Uses standard office equipment, personal computer and job-related computer applications including, but not limited to; Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, electronic mail. 
• Analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions, considers consequences of proposed actions or decisions and/or recommendations, and implements recommendations in support of goals. 
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.  
• Serves in the absence of the Battalion Chief. 
• Helps develop career progression plans for members of the assigned shift. 
• Helps to coordinate and deliver courses taught at the recruit academy. 
• Assists in maintaining all training facilities, including functionality and cleanliness of all training facilities. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and Experience: 

Associate’s degree in fire science technology or related field; obtained the rank of Fire Lieutenant or Assistant Fire Marshal with three (3) years of experience with a municipal fire department; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

Special Qualifications: 

• Possession of a valid Class B driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.  Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment. 

 The following requirements must be IFSAC or Pro-Board certifications: 

• Firefighter Level II 
• Certification at Hazmat Operations Level 
• Emergency Vehicle Driver Certification 
• Driver Operator Pumps 
• Driver Operator Aerials 
• Fire Instructor Level II with a Qualification in Firefighter Level II Delivery 
• Fire Officer II 

 Additional requirements: 

• NC Fire Inspector Level I 
• NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 
• NC Emergency Medical Technician EMT-Basic (or National Registry) 
• NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Certified Technician 
• Qualified Live Burn Instructor (obtain within 5 years) 
• AHA BLS Instructor (obtain with 1 year) 

Hiring Salary Range:    $75,893.67 - $87,856.42

Full Salary Range:        $75,893.67 - $115,490.43

Department:                  Fire 

Pay Grade:                    22 

FLSA Status:                Non-Exempt 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current firefighting practices and procedures. 
• Knowledge of firefighting hazards and related safety precautions. 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision and management of human resources. 
• Ability to evaluate and develop training programs to meet the needs of the department. 
• Skills in operating fire apparatus such as trucks, pumps, levers, hoses, radios and firefighting tools such as pry bars, axes, nozzles, air packs, fans, shovels, rakes, sledgehammers, jaws-of-life or other extraction tools, defibrillator, engine trucks, and other tools and equipment.  
• Ability to prepare instructional materials, lesson plans, training bulletins, written examinations, and visual aids. 
• Ability to take command of emergency situations, determine the method of suppression, and supervise personnel performing suppression activities ensuring proper procedures and safety. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other fire department employees, other city employees, and the general public. 
• Ability to conduct fire prevention/ fire safety training for school age children to senior adults. 
• Ability to represent the city fire department in a positive and professional manner. 

Physical Demands 

Work in this classification is defined as light work requiring the physical exertion of and/or in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds to move objects. Physical demands require climbing, crouching, crawling, standing, walking, and lifting. Vocal communication is required for responding to inquiries, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for extensive reading, to prepare and analyze written or computer data, determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observe general surroundings and activities. 

Work Environment 

Work is primarily performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions, including exposure to extreme heat and extreme cold. Employees are subject to noise, vibration, and hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working in high places, exposure to high heat, and exposure to chemicals. Employees are subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin including oils and greases and is also required to wear a respirator or self-contained breathing device in certain instances. Employees may be exposed to blood or blood-borne pathogens when providing emergency medical services. At times the work is performed in conditions of extreme temperatures and danger for prolonged periods of time during which time one’s vision may be partially or totally obscured. Work is often performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazards. 

All Applicants are required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, a background check and a State Bureau of Investigations background check prior to beginning their employment.