Walton County Sheriff's Office - Fire Division Chief of Training

Job Announcement:

General Statement of Job 

Under administrative direction, the Division Chief of Training is responsible for directing, administering, and managing all training operations within the Walton Sheriff's Office Division of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. This position oversees training needs, regulatory compliance and resource management for assigned technical support operations, ensuring the highest standards of training and professional development for all personnel.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Associate’s degree in Fire Science or related field.
• Ten (10) years’ experience as a firefighter, with a minimum of five (5) years in a management or leadership role.
• Or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required competencies to perform the job.
• Must possess a certification as a Firefighter II by the State of Florida
• Must possess a certification as a Paramedic by the State of Florida
• Must possess a Florida Fire Officer II certification
• Must possess a Florida Fire Service Instructor I certification or higher
• Must possess a Florida Live Fire Training Instructor.
• Must possess a Florida Pump Operator certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license.
• Tasks include a criticality component in responding to fire, medical, emergency scenes or other critical incidents, whereby incumbents are required to maintain physical abilities and must be able to pass the PAT test.

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Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, or relevant field.

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Essential Job Functions 

This list of functions, duties, responsibilities, skills, and physical abilities is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Regular and prompt job attendance.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering training programs.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to safety and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement comprehensive training plans and programs, including needs assessments, curriculum development, instructor training, and evaluation of program effectiveness.
• Mange the training budget and resources, encompassing planning, budgeting, and procurement of training materials, equipment, and facilities.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, training and performance of training staff, including instructors, training officers, and support staff.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable regulations and standards, including NFPA, state and local regulations, and department policies.
• Coordinate with other departments and agencies such as neighboring fire departments, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and other organizations to facilitate interagency training and collaboration.
• Conduct regular training needs assessments, identify gaps in training, and develop strategies to address them.
• Develop and implement innovative training techniques, exploring new technologies, simulations, and other methods to enhance training effectiveness.
• Facilitate and conduct specialized training programs on topics such as hazardous materials, rescue techniques, and fire investigation.
• Monitor and evaluate training program effectiveness, collecting data, analyzing results, and making adjustments to improve outcomes.
• Serve as a resource and mentor for training staff, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation, tracking training attendance, completion dates, and other relevant information.
• May be required to respond to emergencies during and after normal business hours; may be assigned tasks on scene as determined by the Incident Commander.
• Maintains authority in the absence of a District Chief to establish Incident Command for all fire ground operations and multi-casualty incidents
• Provides strategic and tactical command by organizing the most effective utilization of equipment and personnel
• Strategic placement of apparatus/equipment to best address an emergency incident or fire attack
• Ensuring perimeter security and directing scene activities of subordinates; evaluating incident conditions and requesting additional resources as needed
• Coordinating unit's activities with other responder units; and ensuring the safety of crews under charge.

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Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Tasks involve the intermittent performance of extremely physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, climbing, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of extremely heavy objects (150+ pounds), such as in the event of rescuing or transporting a victim/patient in the performance of rescue operations.
• When performing fire services and/or rescue operations, tasks are performed with potential for intermittent exposure to occupational health hazards including, but not limited to, fire, extreme temperatures, wetness, humidity, inclement weather, loud noise, toxic/chemical agents, electrical currents, pathogens, fumes, gases, odors, erratic or unpredictable human behavior, weapons, and explosives.
• Tasks include working around moving parts, vehicles, equipment, carts, and materials handling, where extremely heightened awareness to surroundings and environment is essential in the preservation of life and property.
• Personal protection equipment applies in the preservation of life and property, as does special equipment including, but not limited to, various types of containment suits, self-contained breathing apparatus equipment (SCBA) and safety gear, is essential.

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Walton County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff's Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for waiver of post-secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes.

Please direct questions regarding this position to work@waltonso.org