Fire District Training Officer

Job Description

The Training Officer develops, plans, coordinates, maintains, and executes the District training program requirements. Coordinates the development of long-term goals and broad operational policies with higher-level management and advisory committees. May act as an advisor to staff members and coordinate activities related to training, provides staff with reports, and compile related data. Coordinates the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and standards for the efficient and effective training of District personnel and volunteers. The Training Officer may also assist in the coordination, direction, and planning of other department-operated programs. The Training Officer will be required to perform firefighting duties as assigned.
Under the direction of the Elko County Fire Protection District Fire Administrator, the incumbent is responsible for basic, advanced, and specialized technical training to various departments and district personnel and volunteers. The Fire Training Officer is responsible for assessing the training needs of the staff through effective evaluation and consultation of requests for training; formulating training plans and implementing comprehensive in-service training programs.
This position is a 40-hour-per-week position that will periodically be required to work weekends, evenings, and nights as needed to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job. Incumbents must have the ability to interact and equally support Volunteer Fire Departments and paid staff.

Education and Experience

Education: Associates degree in Fire Science or a closely related field
Experience: Three years of firefighting/ training experience
Experience as a Volunteer Firefighter or working with volunteer firefighters is desirable
To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of
experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities.
Certifications: Must maintain a valid Nevada driver’s license
Must maintain a valid Nevada Emergency Medical Responder or First Responder
Certification within six months of employment and as a condition of continued
employment.
Firefighter I Certification
Firefighter II Certification within 1 year of employment
Fire Service Instructor I
Fire Service Instructor II within 1 year of employment
Nevada State Fire Marshal Evaluator/Proctor Certification within 1 year of employment
EMS Instructor desired

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions:

• Under the direction of the Fire Administrator assists in directing, planning, developing, recommending, and coordinating a comprehensive in-service training program in order to ensure the knowledge and skill levels of the District personnel and volunteers meet or exceed District standards and policies.
• Develop and maintain a master training schedule for the District.
• Assesses training needs of District personnel and volunteers through investigation, consultation, and evaluation of requests for training programs; makes recommendations based on the strategic goals and objectives of the District. Develops justification to support recommendations as necessary.
• Assists in the development of the proposed annual training budget and ensures expenditures stay within the approved budget.
• Advises, mentors, and assists personnel and volunteers serving as assistant trainers in formulating training plans and curriculum development and application of effective teaching methods. Observes, evaluate, and provide feedback to the assistant trainers to ensure clear delivery and effectiveness of the training programs.
• Represents the District and acts as a liaison with other agencies for training. May conduct classes, lead conferences, fill outside speaking engagements and serve on committees.
• Develop and prepare or secure training materials, manuals, charts, and other visual aids for use in training.
• Responsible for the development, review, and maintenance of comprehensive records related to training and certification tracking of all District personnel and volunteers, including periodic reports as to the training status of the District.
• Maintains a high degree of competency and skills in Emergency Response and performs those duties, as requested, in a manner that reflects positively on the District.
• Respond to emergency incidents such as structure and wildland fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, hazardous material incidents, floods, and other emergencies; receive alarm information and locate areas in map books; determine the best route to incidents; drive emergency vehicles and strategically position apparatus and equipment when requested.
• Respond to medical emergencies and rescues; locate and remove victims from hazardous areas; triage multiple victims and assess injuries; stabilize victims and monitor vital signs; provide emotional support to victims and families; secure transportation for patients; and provide medical information to health care providers when requested.
• Determine methods of fire suppression; supervise and participate in laying of hose lines, directing of water streams, applying extinguishing agents, pressures of streams, placing of ladders, ventilation of buildings, rescuing of persons, and placing of salvage covers, assess and triage property damage to minimize property loss when requested.

• This position has been identified as affecting public safety.
• Persons offered employment in this class must submit to a pre-employment screening for controlled substances.
• Applicants may be required to pass a thorough medical examination and physical agility test prior to appointment and for continuing employment.
• Applicants may be required to undergo a background investigation prior to being considered for employment.
• Employees must maintain hairstyles and facial hair in a manner that will not interfere with the required use of self-contained breathing equipment.
• Employees in this position may be required to work varied shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Employees in this position will be required to undergo an annual medical examination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:
Knowledge

• Fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous material incident management; and confined space and technical rescue techniques.
• Operation of fire and rescue apparatus and equipment.
• Training requirements for all phases of fire response.
• Principles and techniques to instruction.
• Methods of training management and evaluation, including adult learning styles.
• Components and development of lesson plans.
• Resource management, to include sources of instructional materials.
• Distance learning delivery methods.
• Grading methods and test administration.
• Use of skills checklists and proper completion of forms.
• Laws, rules and regulations that govern the Fire District, including codes and ordinances.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Written and oral communication theory.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Basic computer applications and operations.
• Personal protective equipment.

• Demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills, especially in dealing with the public.

• Plan, execute and evaluate comprehensive training programs while maintaining flexibility.
• Transfer written programs into functional and practical training programs.
• Use training aids such as computers, projectors and other media products/sources.
• Analyze the training budget and make recommendations.
• Assess training needs based on several factors.
• Recognize student limitations and cultural diversity and make adaptations if necessary.
• Adapt lesson plans to meet the needs of the students, while still achieving the lesson objectives if necessary.
• Provide student coaching and motivational techniques.
• Maintain student confidentiality.
• Maintain discipline and high morale.
• Maintain mental and physical composure in emotionally taxing situations.
• Handle varying amounts of workload and stress effectively.
• Work independently and stimulate creative thinking.
• Prepare clear, concise reports, evaluations, and communications using a computer.
• Maintain physical endurance and agility.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including employees, volunteers, and the public.
• Participate in emergency response as needed.
• Wear personal protective equipment as required for emergency response.
• React quickly and calmly in all types of emergency situations.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

An employee in this position must meet the following physical requirements upon application:

• Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity, and temperature swings working indoors and outdoors; excessive noise of emergency equipment; the noise level may be very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident.
• Exposure to dust, gases, chemicals, smoke, and blood-borne pathogens; occasional exposure to explosives at fires or other hazardous materials calls.
• Works in and around heavy equipment with exposure to moving mechanical parts; exposure to vibration from equipment and vehicles; operations of foot controls or repetitive foot motion.
• May work at substantial heights; wears appropriate personal protective equipment including goggles, ear plugs or other auditory protective equipment, face protector, turn-outs, safety shoes, gloves, and a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work both indoors in an office-type setting and outdoors in extreme weather conditions.
• CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of the neck; the side-to-side turning of the neck; twisting and bending at the waist; and reaching below the shoulders; lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent standing; walking and walking on uneven ground; reaching and above the shoulder; power grasping, pushing, and pulling of objects and equipment; fine finger dexterity, simple grasping, and repetitive use of hands to manipulate equipment controls, keyboard, and other office equipment.
• OCCASIONAL running, crawling, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and squatting; lifting and carrying objects more than 100 pounds with or without assistance. Must have the ability to stay physically capable in mentally and emotionally stressful environments and/or incidents.
Must see in order to perform essential job tasks; respond to incidents, provide care; operate emergency vehicles and apparatus; keep records, operate a computer, and perform office work. Must be able to hear instructions, radio messages, and emergency tones, alarms, and other warning devices; sufficient to perform essential job tasks.

Elko County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer