Job Posting: Division Chief of Training

Job Title: Division Chief of Training

Department: Meridian, ID, Fire

Reports To: Deputy Chief of Operations 

Open Date: May 5, 2025

Close Date: Open Until Filled, First Review – May 23, 2025

Annual Salary: $136,437.00                                                

Apply at:  https://apps.meridiancity.org/jobs/

Job Summary: 

The Division Chief of Training serves as the Department’s manager of the Training division, managing those functions that support the ability of the Department to meet or exceed required standards and/or identified best practice. Has responsibility to develop and coordinate training of department personnel in the areas of fire suppression, EMS, Hazardous Materials, Special Operations, Leadership, and other operational areas as defined. Has responsibility to work with allied agencies to ensure standardized operations. Participates as member of the departmental management team, responsible for developing and implementing department goals, objectives, policies and procedures in support of the City’s vision, mission, goals and objectives. There is considerable latitude for independent action and discretion in performing assigned duties under the general direction of the Deputy Chief of Operations. This position is not part of the collective bargaining agreement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Plans, organizes and directs the department training activities for all personnel;
• Develops and recommends departmental policies for assigned area of responsibility and provides technical assistance and review for departmental policies; interprets department policies and procedures to employees;
• Maintains budget in assigned area of responsibility;
• Develops short and long-range plans for the department in assigned areas of responsibility;
• Designs training and compliance programs for hazardous materials regulations and requirements;
• Makes recommendations for the annual budget to include such materials as equipment, supplies, improvements and related needs;
• Participates in monthly staff meetings and provides input and updates in areas of responsibility;
• Performs training and evaluation of Fire personnel and performs research and implements programs to ensure the Training Division operates in an efficient and effective manner 
• Is a member of the SOP/SOG committee to establish policies and procedures for the day to day operation of the department and coordinates training needs of the department;
• Keeps Deputy Chief of Operations and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new development in assigned work areas;
• Communicates with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations;
• Responds to citizens questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Designs training programs based on National Consensus Standards;
• Has a firm working knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI), engages with the EMS Division Chief to ensure training is accomplished in areas of deficiency;
• Works with allied agencies Training Chiefs/Training personnel to pursue and develop opportunities of collaboration, and preferably standardization;
• Provides effective leadership, mentorship, and supervision to subordinate field personnel, including interpretations and direction of fire department, city, and other applicable policies, SOG’s / EOG’s, and rules to ensure compliance, accountability, and consistency;
• Actively participates in, and makes recommendations for, hiring, evaluating, promoting and/or disciplining Fire Department personnel;
• Makes recommendations for future appropriate staffing levels, policy and procedure modifications, Firefighter and Officer training and development;
• Conducts reviews of subordinate personnel, using the Department’s performance management software tool, to ensure Department standards are met; works with subordinate personnel to develop a career development pathway;
• Works directly with required City staff in order to properly manage the Training Division to include Finance/Purchasing, Legal, Human Resources, as well as Mayor and City Council;
• Works directly with the Deputy Chief of Operations to plan, develop, and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Fire Department;
• Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with the Fire Department Administration, other City employees, City Officials, local government agencies, area businesses, civic and community organizations, and the general public;
• Identifies and works to mitigate potential hazards that members may encounter in the course of their duties;
• Provides interpersonal conflict resolution to employees as needed;
• Adapts to changes in how business is conducted and work is accomplished in a positive and timely manner;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with assigned personnel, including monitoring general levels of job satisfaction, identifying potential or existing problems, and taking the appropriate corrective measures;
• Independently investigates personnel issues of assigned personnel, per Department Policy, when brought to his/her attention, and if needed appropriately determines level of discipline; 
• Investigates problems concerning procedural and/or operational incidences; communicates with the Deputy Chief of Operations when appropriate;
• Responds to citizen’s questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Works with the Deputy Chief of Operations and the Battalion Chiefs to ensure personnel training requirements are reported accurately and completed per the Department training plan;  
• Completes all necessary reports, correspondence, and documentation as required in the performance of assigned duties;
• Maintains an adequate level of fitness to perform essential job duties; 
• Other duties as assigned

Job Specifications:

Required:

• College graduate from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree (AA or AS) in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, or other related field as approved by the Fire Chief;
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in a Fire Department with three (3) years of experience as a Chief Officer
• ICS 100,200,300,400,700, and 800 certificates
• Fire Officer I and II certifications
• Fire Service Instructor 1 certification
• Incident Safety Officer certification

Preferred:

• College graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or Emergency Medical Services
• Minimum fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in a Fire Department with five (5) years of experience as a Chief Officer
• Fire Officer III certification
• Fire Service Instructor II certification
• Current State of Idaho or National Registry EMT or Paramedic license
• Blue Card Command Instructor (within 18 months of hire)
• National Fire Academy Managing Officer or Executive Fire Officer Program graduate

Licensing and Certifications:

• Possess and maintain a valid Idaho Class D driver’s license
• Maintain active membership in the Idaho Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA)
• Maintain active membership in the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
• Maintain State of Idaho EMT or Paramedic license (if applicable)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Duties and knowledge required of a Firefighter, Apparatus Operator Company Officer, and EMT;
• Geography of City of Meridian/Meridian Rural District and surrounding areas, (or the ability to quickly learn this information);
• Current fire suppression and firefighting techniques, including all related equipment to include, but not limited to the following:
• Fire and Alarm Systems, Fire Prevention, EMT Re-certification/Medical Training, Wildland Fire Suppression, Incident Command/Management, Emergency Management, Rapid Intervention, Fire Inspection, Building Construction, Hazardous Material Awareness, Hazardous Material Operations, Technical Rescue, and Safety;
• State and Federal Laws, Codes, Regulations, basic knowledge of human resource policies;
• Budgeting, technical writing, grant writing, and course development;
• Fire records systems, communications equipment and use, fire computer applications and fire reporting procedures. Administrative knowledge of computerized records management systems;
• Principal and techniques of making effective oral presentations;
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Make determinations as to the best course of action for fighting fires or responding to other related emergency situations;
• Operate as an Incident Safety Officer;
• Supervise, coordinate and evaluate the work of others;
• Develop training plans and programs which meet the goals of the department;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departments and City employees, victims of disasters, EMS personnel, other emergency response agencies and the public;
• To work under extremely stressful situations which result from a building fire, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property;
• Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders;
• Work in a team environment as a team player;
• Show respect to fellow employees and customers;
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide and derive percentages; 
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Must display an attitude of cooperation and the ability to work well with others.
• Provide leadership through adaptability/flexibility, anticipatory thinking, dynamic optimism, organizational/time management, decisiveness, proactive engagement, and resiliency; 
• Provide strategic management, business process enhancement, change implementation and management, empowerment, and being an environmental catalyst;
• Coach performance through mentorship, talent and team development, conflict resolution, and team facilitation;
• Communicate to give direction and guidelines, provide meeting facilitation, give presentations and storytelling.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally lifting/carrying up to 50 lbs. Also, the employee is occasionally pushing/pulling up to 35 lbs.
• The noise level is occasionally loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell, touch and feel;
• Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Employee will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach and grasp. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.
• The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions and extreme temperatures.
• Employee will work in/at heights, confined spaces and are exposed to mechanical, electrical hazards.
• Employee will drive a department vehicle as part of this position.

Travel Requirements:

• Local travel is regularly required;
• Some regional or national travel may be required for training or meetings;
• Has assigned vehicle, and drives to meetings and incident sites during on or off duty hours