Position Summary

The Training Officer I develops, directs, schedules, supervises, and conducts educational and training activities of Fire District personnel to ensure efficient and effective options for the Bluffton Township Fire District in the areas of operations, prevention, and emergency medical services. Manages the documentation of all fire personnel certifications/licenses, etc., necessary to maintain national and state requirements, as well as current and/or promotional documentation.  May serve as the safety officer at an emergency event if needed. Assists in the development of new programs and policies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the District.  Coordinates efforts to work toward or maintain compliance with laws and/or national consensus standards.

Essential Functions
 

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Develops, directs, schedules, supervises, and conducts training and on-going development of fire district personnel to include skills and techniques related to (but not limited to): fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency medical services,
• Responsible for planning and development of Advanced (ALS) and Basic (BLS) Life Support level medical training and recertification training for all personnel.
• Responsible for ensuring consistent delivery of fire and medical training programs.
• Responsible for developing the training calendar/schedule for all personnel.
• Monitor and evaluate the competency of all personnel, both individually and as a team to improve fire and emergency medical knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Responsible for training of new personnel.  Conducts annual training for existing employees.
• Ensures that all trainers have the correct licenses, certifications, and/or training as appropriate for the courses assigned for training.
• Responsible for the development, review and maintenance of the comprehensive records as related to training and certification tracking of all District personnel; working in conjunction with the Training staff to maintain updated training records for all District personnel.
• Assists in developing proposed annual budgets and purchasing for fire, medical and other training equipment, and supplies.
• Collects, analyzes, and evaluates data and prepares comprehensive reports and makes training program recommendations.
• Supervises fire district Cadres during recruit school, ensures maintenance of all equipment and departmental properties on assigned projects.
• Works with other governmental agencies for compliance and training, including joint training with mutual aid responding agencies.
• Participates in special projects in suppression and medical education that address community issues.
• Attends necessary meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications, audio-visual, and database materials to obtain required continuing education hours; and maintain/enhance professional development on principles, practices and new developments in the area of life safety and prevention.
• Respond to emergency events, acts as safety officer, or performs evaluation of operations for future training needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Skills In:

• Planning, directing, and administering fire and medical training programs and systems;
• Analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems, and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues;
• Researching and analyzing detailed information and making appropriate recommendations;
• Operating basic office equipment such as computer, fax, and copy machines;
• Operating fire implements and tools;

Ability To:

• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs;
• Maintain a professional demeanor when dealing with the public;

• Function at an intermediate level in all facets of Microsoft Word programs – word, excel, Visio and power point.  Ability to input into BD databases, extract data and develop/analyze reports from Records Management software;

· Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision;

• Prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority;

• Communicate effectively with other members of the staff, supervisor, business owners, and the public;
• Write curriculum, develop, and coach trainers, and conduct training programs in front of District employees, elected officials, and the public;

• Read district policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, specialized maps/compass, etc;

Minimum Experience:

• Must have completed at least eight (8) years as a firefighter;

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience.

• IFSAC Fire Officer I
• IFSAC Fire Instructor I
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - EMT
• Valid Class E South Carolina Driver’s license or equivalent

Preferred:

• Associate Degree
• Fire Officer II
• Fire Instructor II
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – Advanced EMT or Paramedic
• SCFA Instructor (Must obtain within 6 months)
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor (Must obtain within 6 months)
• SCDHEC EMT Instructor Certification (Must obtain within one year)

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet. However, on occasion, the noise levels may be high, especially when working around fire scenes where fire department equipment is operating.

• Work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 75-100 pounds of force;
• Occasionally enters buildings under adverse fire conditions which might include smoke, extreme heat, and no visibility, in full protective clothing including SCBA with face piece, or in hazard response gear. 
• May be subject to extended periods of intense concentration in the assessment of emergency, personal and public safety, and health situations.
• Must be able to distinguish fire by smoke color.
• Maintain composure and confront stressful situations and withstand the effects of repeated exposure to traumatic situations.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work may occasionally require wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• Work is occasionally exposed moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; hazardous materials, and risk of vibration.
• May be required to operate hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, gas, and electric saws as well as medical equipment for training purposes, and occasionally in the field.
• May be required to work in close proximity to multiple types of commercial and industrial machinery, and high voltage power/generation power sources.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.