Fire Safety Training Officer

The City of Marion is seeking applicants for a Fire Safety Training Officer. The City offers a comprehensive employee benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, vision and life insurance; enrollment in the Local Government Employees’ Retirement System; a 5% employer contribution to a supplemental retirement plan with no required employee match; paid holidays; paid time off; and certification / educational pay incentives.

To Apply: Submit a completed City of Marion Employment Application (See Job Details on the right) with certifications attached to knolan@marionnc.org.

General Statement of Duties

Performs technical and administrative work in support of departmental operations by researching, planning, coordinating, implementing, and tracking training and safety programs and activities for Fire personnel.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is primarily responsible for developing, coordinating, administering, and evaluating fire service programs and training, including career development programs, for the department, ensuring staff are well-equipped and prepared. Work involves understanding and integrating best practices from the fire services, such as IFSTA, NFPA, and NC OSFM, into training programs, and collaborating with external agencies to deliver programs efficiently and effectively. Other responsibilities include acting as Safety Officer within the Incident Command System (ICS) as deemed appropriate by the Incident Commander. Work also includes assisting in researching, writing, and revising departmental safety guidelines; interpreting related regulations to ensure guidelines are thorough and follow best practices; and monitoring guidelines to ensure safety. Employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in all phases of work and use tact, courtesy, and firmness in contact with coworkers, public officials, and the general public. The employee is subject to the hazards associated with incident response work, including working in inside and outside environments, working at heights, in extreme hot and cold temperatures, loud noise, vibration, moving parts, electrical current, high heat, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, oils, wearing respirators, and working in close quarters. Employee is also subject to the final OSHA standards on bloodborne pathogens. Work is performed under the supervision of the Fire Chief and is evaluated by a combination of the employee’s ability to carry out essential job functions, continuing acquisition of new knowledge and skills in support of those essential job functions, and the ability to demonstrate the competencies described herein.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties

• Researches, plans, coordinates, implements, and tracks department-wide training programs for Fire Department personnel, including, but not limited to, fire safety, suppression, hazardous materials, technical rescue operations, emergency preparedness, and EMS practices.
• Communicates daily training to Fire Captains and Lieutenants to ensure consistent training across shifts.
• Collaborates with department staff to identify training needs.
• Analyzes and selects suitable live-fire training structures and other training locations to simulate real fire scenarios.
• Ensures instructors are qualified and have the equipment necessary to conduct training.
• Monitors training programs to ensure that they are up-to-date and align with current best practices.
• Monitors and tracks training for all Fire personnel and maintains clear, accessible records of training for the department.
• Works with the local community college to coordinate and develop fire service-related programs and courses.
• Coordinates and participates in training in specialty fields, i.e., Technical Rescue, Haz-Mat, and USAR.
• Promotes safe work practices.
• Participates in creating fire safety guidelines.
• Ensures that internal safety procedures are current; provides instructions or training for maximum effectiveness in fire suppression efforts.
• Oversees adherence and compliance with departmental guidelines, procedures, and City policy; provides instructions or training to ensure personnel comprehend written policies and guidelines.
• Ensures personnel understand appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) and monitors for appropriate PPE usage.
• Conducts annual fit test to ensure SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) fits properly and conducts annual PPE inspection, replacing damaged or worn PPE.
• Participates with departmental incident reviews.
• Assists the Incident Commander during emergency incidents.
• Utilizes Tactical Worksheets to assist the Incident Commander during emergency incidents.
• Monitors radio traffic to assist the Incident Commander during emergency incidents.
• Tracks benchmarks during emergency incidents.
• Documents emergency personnel accountability or other relevant information during IC.
• Responds to disasters such as gas leaks, fuel spills, and chemical emergencies and takes proper steps to mitigate hazardous situations.
• Attends training classes to remain current in knowledge of related codes, laws and policies and to improve personal competence and instructional ability.
• Attends conferences and meetings to stay current on best practices for fire training.
• Maintains the level of physical fitness required by the department.

Additional Duties

• May test equipment.
• May assist with or coordinate Fire Prevention programs.
• Subject to off-duty callback in the event of a major incident.
• May be required to undertake firefighting, emergency medical care, rescue, and related activities in emergency situations.
• May be assigned duties of Fire Captain, Fire Lieutenant, and Fire Engineer as necessary or if needed.
• May drive and operate the apparatus if needed.
• May participate in employee evaluations to communicate and identify training needs.
• Performs other advanced rescue activities as certified.
• May be required to do any other activities as assigned by a Chief Officer.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of modern methods of fire suppression, incident response, and the use and maintenance of related apparatus and equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of best practices from professional organizations such as the International Fire Service Training Association, National Fire Protection Association, and NC Office of State Fire Marshal.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of training.
• Considerable knowledge of search and rescue operations and emergency medical and rescue procedures and techniques, including high-angle and water rescue.
• Considerable knowledge of hazardous materials and mitigation of situations involving hazardous materials.
• Thorough knowledge of departmental rules and regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of City geography and of the location of roads, streets, and water sources within the City.
• Ability to operate fire apparatus in accordance with City policy and federal, state, and local statutes and ordinances.
• Ability to maintain professional demeanor.
• Ability to lift substantial weight.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work utilizing team concepts.
• Ability to utilize computerized data entry equipment and various word processing, spreadsheet, file maintenance, and/or database programs to enter, store, and/or retrieve information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other employees, and the general public.
• Knowledge of the application of information technology to fire service and management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and members of the public.
• Ability to make sound judgments in emergency situations.
• Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform very heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds and more of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly.
• Must possess visual acuity to size up the color, volume, and extent of fire involvement in structures, to operate heavy fire apparatus in emergency situations, and to prepare records and reports.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school supplemented by completion of courses and seminars in fire service and considerable experience in a fire service; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• 5 Years’ experience in municipal fire service or emergency services of an increasingly responsible nature, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid class B North Carolina driver's license.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Required Certifications:

-NC Firefighter Certification

-NC EMT

-NC Hazardous Materials Level 1 Responder

-NC Emergency Vehicle Driver

-NC Driver Operator Pumps

-NC Technical Rescuer

-NC Technical Rescuer Vehicle

-NC Instructor 1 & 2

-NC Fire Officer I

• Other Preferred Certifications:

-NFA Incident Safety Officer Certification

-NC Fire Officer 2

-NC RIT

-NC Technical Rescuer Swiftwater Rescue

-NC Driver Operator Aerials

-NC Fire Life Safety Educator Level 1

-Wildland NWCG S-130, S-190

-NIMS ICS 100, 200, 700, 800