Driver Operator Program Coordinator
Position Overview
The Driver Operator Program Coordinator reports to the Firefighter Training Program Manager and provides coordination, instructional support, and program oversight for designated driver/operator training programs at the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI). This position is responsible for coordinating course requests, scheduling training deliveries, supporting instructors, updating curriculum, and assisting with course development and revision to ensure high-quality driver/operator education is delivered across the state of Kansas. This portfolio includes Apparatus Driver Operator Pumper, Apparatus Driver Operator Aerial, and Mobile Water Supply Operations programs and may include other related driver/operator training courses.
This position serves as a key point of contact for Kansas fire departments, instructors, and stakeholders seeking driver/operator training and support. The coordinator works closely with KFRTI managers, coordinators, instructors, and logistics personnel to ensure efficient course delivery, sound resource use, and adherence to Institute standards. This position also provides direct instruction for selected courses, participates in train-the-trainer efforts, and assists with the continued development of instructional capacity within assigned program areas.
As a State Fire Training organization and the State Certification Entity for Kansas, Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI) is expected to help lead change in the fire service through training and credentialing, including National Certification. Employees of KFRTI must demonstrate a customer-friendly attitude, flexibility, and a strong desire to help the Kansas fire service as well as continue to improve their own training and education.
The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute is a unit of KU Jayhawk Global, housed on the Lawrence campus. The Institute was created by the Kansas legislature to train Kansas firefighters in 1949. The Institute serves fire departments and firefighters through a "traveling instruction service" that provides 500 training events per year potentially reaching every community and every county in Kansas.
The mission of Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute is to provide accessible, comprehensive training and credentialing for fire and emergency response personnel to promote health and safety in Kansas communities.
KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details available at: https://humanresources.ku.edu/tuition-assistance.
KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Job Description
60% Program-Specific Duties (Driver Operator Program Coordinator)
- Accept and coordinate training requests from Kansas fire departments and private sector clients related to driver/operator training programs.
- Coordinate training dates, locations, and delivery details with host departments, fire service personnel, and other clients.
- Coordinate the use of contract instructors for course deliveries with Manager and Assistant Director approval.
- Select the most appropriate use of personnel, equipment, and other resources while managing costs effectively.
- Identify, select, train, coordinate, and authorize pay and travel reimbursement for part-time instructors within assigned training programs.
- Coordinate apparatus, props, equipment delivery, and logistics support with the Logistics Program Manager.
- Identify courses requiring direct instructional support from KFRTI full-time staff.
- Serve as lead instructor for selected Driver Operator training events and provide direct oversight of part-time instructors when appropriate.
- Manage all aspects of assigned course deliveries, including costs, supervision, classroom presentations, practical skills training, driving exercises, pumping evolutions, and proper use of equipment and apparatus.
- Cross-train and instruct in multiple programmatic areas as assigned, including Driver Operator Pumper, Driver Operator Aerial, Mobile Water Supply Operations, and other related apparatus operations courses.
- Identify fire service organizations and partners willing to collaborate with KFRTI in advancing driver/operator training.
- Recruit and help develop a cadre of qualified part-time instructors for assigned program areas.
- Revise existing courses and assist with development of new courses within assigned program areas when assigned.
- Write objectives and develop instructional support materials for assigned courses when assigned.
- Design online and hybrid courses within assigned program areas to meet the needs of the Kansas fire service when assigned.
- Teach train-the-trainer courses to part-time instructors and other clients as needed.
- Ensure instructors adhere to Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute professional and instructional standards.
- Train instructors on the proper use of course materials, apparatus, training equipment, and props.
- Consult with the Manager and/or Assistant Director on collaborative opportunities, program needs, course improvements, and equipment requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of KFRTI's mission.
30% General Duties
- Coordinate and schedule assigned driver/operator training programs and related course deliveries.
- Serve as a point of contact for Kansas fire departments and other clients requesting driver/operator training.
- Coordinate instructor assignments, training locations, course logistics, and resource needs for assigned programs.
- Assist in the revision, development, and improvement of assigned courses, including online and hybrid delivery formats when assigned.
- Provide classroom and field instruction for selected programs and support course delivery as needed.
- Recruit, develop, and support part-time instructors within assigned program areas.
- Collaborate with KFRTI leadership, staff, and external partners to advance driver/operator training statewide.
- Maintain professional relationships with Kansas fire service organizations, instructors, and stakeholders.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of KFRTI's mission.
10% Time Management & Role Expectations
- Expected to manage multiple concurrent course deliveries, instructor assignments, and program support responsibilities with strong organizational discipline.
- Provide instruction within the assigned area of responsibility when required.
- Maintain appropriate communication and coordination with Manager, Assistant Director, instructors, logistics staff, and partner agencies to support statewide training delivery.
- Support the growth and development of part-time instructors to expand KFRTI delivery capacity and maintain quality instruction across assigned programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager, Assistant Director, or Director to support the overall mission of KFRTI.
Position Requirements
- This position is a combination of remote work assignments with travel to course delivery locations. The person in this position will also work from the Lawrence, Kansas campus, when required.
- This position shall be based in and work from a county within the State of Kansas. Persons in this position are required to live in Kansas.
- Considerable in-state and limited out-of-state travel is required in this position. Travel related to this position may be required from one to five days per week.
- This position is routinely required to work a non-traditional schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Persons in this position will be required to conduct classroom lectures, hands-on driver/operator skills instruction, and apparatus-based training activities as assigned.
- Successful candidates must be physically capable of performing firefighting-related functions associated with training delivery, including climbing, lifting, bending, standing for extended periods, and operating or demonstrating fire apparatus and related equipment.
- Successful candidates must be capable of meeting requirements related to the use of and fit testing into Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in accordance with Kansas Department of Labor regulations when program delivery requires participation in live-fire or other operational training environments.
- Lifting of heavy materials and training props up to 100 pounds is required in this position. Successful candidates must be capable of lifting and moving teaching kits, firefighting equipment, hose, appliances, and setting up training props.
- Critical thinking skills and the ability to quickly adapt new concepts and technical fire service information into new and existing courses are required.
- Employees in this position are expected to serve as facilitators, leaders, and instructors and must demonstrate empathy for the challenges of the modern fire service.
- As a State Fire Training organization, KFRTI is expected to help lead change in the fire service through training and education. Employees must demonstrate a customer-friendly attitude, flexibility, strong teamwork, and a strong commitment to keeping the Kansas fire service well trained, educated, and highly skilled.
- Must have a valid driver's license by the time of hire and throughout the term of employment.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma and five years of progressive experience conducting or providing fire service training, or a bachelor's degree and three years of experience conducting or providing fire service training.
- IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA Firefighter I & II National Certification, as evidenced in application materials.
- IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA Driver/Operator Pumper National Certification, as evidenced in application materials.
- Minimum of three years of experience as a full-time firefighter, or five years of experience as an active volunteer firefighter.
- Certificates of Completion for FEMA/NIMS ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800, as evidenced in application materials.
- Valid Kansas Class A Commercial Driver's License, or ability to obtain within a timeframe established by KFRTI, as evidenced in application materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA Driver/Operator Aerial National Certification, as evidenced by application materials.
- IFSAC and/or Pro Board Mobile Water Supply Operation, as evidenced by application materials.
- IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA Fire Instructor I National Certification, as evidenced by application materials.
- IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA Fire Instructor II National Certification, as evidenced by application materials.
- Experience instructing emergency vehicle operations, pumping operations, and apparatus placement, as evidenced by application materials.
- Demonstrated understanding of national certification systems, certification requirements, and the relationship between national certification and training in driver/operator program areas, as evidenced by application materials.
Contact Information to Applicants
Jennifer Johnson
jennjohnson@ku.edu
785-864-9194
Additional Candidate Instruction
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
- Resume
- List of three (3) professional references
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins May 9th, 2026. and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.
Advertised Salary Range
Starting at $62,000
Application Review Begins
09-May-2026
Anticipated Start Date
24-May-2026
Primary Campus
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE
1.0
Reg/Temp
Regular
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Employee Class
U-Unclassified Professional Staff
Work Location Assignment
Hybrid
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