Assistant Director of Firefighting Programs
University of Illinois

Assistant Director of Firefighting Programs

Illinois Fire Service Institute

The University of Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. As the statutory fire academy for Illinois, the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) serves firefighters throughout Illinois and the world. World-class instructors deliver more than 14,000 class hours to students online, on campus and at regional training centers throughout the state. IFSI is operated as a continuing education and public service activity by the University of Illinois.

PRIMARY POSITION FUNCTION/SUMMARY:

The primary function of this position is to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the IFSI's Firefighting Directorate Program Coordinator (PC), Regional Representatives (RR), Program Directors (PD), Program Managers (PM), and Lead Instructors (LI). The Firefighting Directorate is a keystone of IFSI, delivering training to 20,000 students annually. The position includes experiences specific to the planning, coordination, and execution of IFSI training, live-fire operations, risk management and mitigation, course costing, curriculum development, testing, certification, training facilities, props, simulators, equipment and inventory, RMS, heavy machinery, apparatus utilized at IFSI.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Executive Administration:

• Serve as the primary advisor to the Director and Senior Associate Director for Academic Operations (SADAO) for the Firefighting Directorate.
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team to set goals and objectives for IFSI. Establish functional processes and procedures to support timely and relevant reports, analysis, and other communications to PC, RRs, PDs, and PMs.
• Advise the SADAO in identifying, developing, and setting the Firefighting Directorate's financial priorities to align with the IFSI's strategic vision, ensuring that resources are allocated to the most critical areas.
• Monitor and manage all budgets assigned to firefighting programs and hold individual budget owners accountable for their programs' budget allocations.
• Consistent communication and collaboration with IFSI's Chief Financial Officer and SADAO about financial performance and necessary adjustments to achieve IFSI's financial performance.
• Implement and enforce all IFSI Policies and Procedures.
• Review and provide revision drafts to IFSI policies to the SADAO to support and maintain a risk-mitigated training environment during firefighting and live-fire training operations.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal regulations and industry standards related to live-fire and hands-on training.
• Implement and develop risk mitigation protocols and procedures for all training deliveries.
• Manage the IFSI annual health questionnaire and face piece fit test program. Ensure the PC, RRs, PDs, and PMs instructor cadres' schedule and complete the annual requirements for live-fire training, IFSI and UIUC trainings.
• Create, implement, and manage an equipment and personal protective equipment replacement program for all programs. Coordinate purchases with the IFSI PC, RRs, PDs, and PMs, and the SADAO.
• Support the SADAO in leading and overseeing the planning and budgeting of grant-funded courses and purchasing equipment to support course execution.

Directorate Administration:

• Lead, manage, and direct the operations of IFSI's firefighting programs, including education and training development and execution.
  • Program management and development.
  • Oversee the completion of the Firefighting curriculum, testing, and certification projects with the PC, RRs, PDs, PMs, and CTC in compliance with NFPA Standards.
  • Program curriculum development includes integrating updates into the Cornerstone and Team IFSI curriculum.
  • Oversee and manage Directorate budget allocations.
  • Verify the accuracy of the funding source when approving timesheets and expense reports.
  • Program leadership development and management to include PC, RRs, PDs, and PMs.
  • Observe and review Directorate course executions to ensure consistent curriculum and practical course execution and administrative task completion.
• Oversee, review and verify the implementation of the risk mitigation policies and procedures during training led by the Firefighting PC, RRs, PDs, and PMs completion of the following required course documentation for the BOF Academy, BOF Blended, Advanced Technician Firefighter, Advanced Breathing Apparatus Specialist, Driver Operator Program, Responder Intervention Team (RIT) and RIT Chief, Fireground Company & Command, Smoke Divers, Liquid Petroleum, Cornerstone, Department of Defense, Industry, Wildland Firefighting, Annual Training Events, and Special Course deliveries.
  • IFSI Accountability Form - Daily Training.
  • Live-fire and non-fire Training Safety Briefing Procedure.
  • Burn Log entry in RMS.
  • Prop Safety Analysis Form.
  • Live-Fire Training Ground Demob Procedure.
  • As needed: Student or Instructor Injury Report.
  • Preliminary Inquiry for Injury or Unusual Incident Form.
  • Verify the course lead, PM, or PD communicates the daily course safety briefing.
  • Oversee the live-fire training execution at IFSI, including oversight of the program, course, or event execution safety officer.
  • Monitor and evaluate operational processes and risk mitigation measures to identify areas of improvement and efficiency.
• Coordinate with the Leadership Team for training prop development, maintenance, upgrades, and mobile prop purchases.
• Coordinate with SADAO and other Program Directors for staff development.

Basic Operations Firefighter (BOF) - Academy and Blended - Development, Implementation and Oversight:

• Manage the OSFM grant for course deliveries and purchase equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Lead, manage, and support the Program Director of BOF Academy and Program Director of BOF Blended Programs.
• Coordinate with the BOF Blended Program Director to approve the regional sites for the BOF Blended course executions.
• Coordinate with the BOF Academy Program Director off-site facility use during the IFSI Academy course execution.

Additional Duties:

• Co-chair the IFSI Training Grounds and Prop Working Group to design and plan new props and existing prop maintenance and improvements. The ADFF is responsible for seeking approval from the Director and SADAO for new and significant prop renovation and maintenance.
• Manage the mobile training prop purchasing and onboarding specific to the Firefighting
  Directorate.
• Oversee the program management, depreciation, replacement, and inventory of the tools, equipment, trailers, and apparatus within the Firefighting Directorate, including inventory stored in fixed facilities, apparatus, and mobile props.
• Oversee the inventory management for all tools and equipment maintained within the Firefighting programs.
  • Oversee and maintain the IFSI inventory as required by IFSI Policy and Procedures.
  • Work with the IFSI Resource Operations Specialist to maintain the IFSI inventory and update the content of RMS to include props, tools, and equipment.
• Coordinate with PC, RRs, PDs, and PMs to ensure completion and documentation of the execution of IFSI's Live Fire Training Program - online components, schedule delivery of the hands-on training, and ensure candidates complete and record the required NFPA 1403 task book requirements.
• Oversee all planning and execution of IFSI annual training events, including Winter Fire School, Fire College, Explorer-Cadet, Camp Fury, Fire Service Women of Illinois, Illinois Firefighter Association, and Veteran's Weekend, etc.
• Oversee iEMS and IFSI EMS Program Manager.
• Assist in planning, scheduling, and completing the annual IFSI Master Schedule and entering it into the FP Generator.
• Serve on various Institute, University, State, and National technical, advisory, or administrative committees or organizations.
• Assist in guiding IFSI research and UIUC research projects to conduct firefighter health and safety-related research projects.
• Maintain existing relationships and build new ones with IFSI partners.
• Other duties as assigned, based on the operational needs of IFSI.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

1. Baccalaureate Degree.
2. At least 15 years of fire service experience.
3. Minimum of 4 years' experience as a Chief Officer in a department serving a community of over 10,000 people, budget experience (including operational, training, and equipment) exceeding $1 million, and supervision of 20 or more people.
4. Fire service officer experience (non-Chief Officer) with equivalent responsibilities will be considered.
5. Proven experience and ability to meet the job requirements, implement duties and responsibilities, and mitigate risks to ground safety concerns during training.
6. Demonstrated experience in developing firefighting training and education curriculum.
7. Demonstrated record of performance, positive attitude, and ability to work well with all IFSI program leadership.
8. Demonstrated experience in budget creation and management project management.

Preferred:

1. Demonstrated Training Officer experience.
2. Demonstrated experience leading a Training Division.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Documented understanding of IFSI's course, course costing, curriculum, testing, and certification, the training facilities, props, and simulators, equipment and inventory, RMS, heavy machinery, and apparatus that utilize the grounds.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including articulating complex messages to a diverse audience.
3. Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams.
4. Ability to be self-supervised and anticipate recurring demands on one's time.
5. Ability to consistently exercise sound independent judgment.
6. Strong creative, strategic, analytical, and organizational skills.
7. Ability to manage conflicting demands on time and multiple tasks involving multiple co-workers; maintain and exhibit flexibility; work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
8. Ability to understand and accurately follow oral and written instructions.
9. Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective work relationships with staff to perform required duties.
10. Provide positive customer service to both internal and external customers.
11. Perform effectively both independently and as part of a team.
12. Sustain a positive, "can-do" attitude and commitment to customer service for internal and external customers.
13. Respond immediately to changes, demands, and workloads in a positive and pleasant manner.
14. Perform duties with professionalism, individually and as a team member.
15. Employs strategies and approaches to ensure and improve inclusion, diversity, and equity-based outcomes within and across IFSI policies, programs, and services.
16. Establish and maintain positive work relationships with those contacted to perform required duties.
17. Interpret and apply IFSI policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, and regulations.

Appointment Information:

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after January 16, 2025. The salary range for this position is $105,000 - 115,000.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on December 16, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Keri Borchers, kerib@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID: 1027625
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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