"Program Director II, Fire Science"

Program Director II, Fire Science

Company: Aims Community College

Job Location: Windsor, CO

Category: Fire Science

Type: Full-Time

Job Description: This position is responsible for managing and directing the Fire Science degree and certificate programs, providing strategic oversight and leadership. It ensures the effective operation of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) program and offers instructional support to the department with minimal supervision from the Director III, Public Safety.

Key responsibilities include overseeing the daily operations of the degree, certificate, and CPAT programs, maintaining equipment, coordinating deliveries to outreach locations, managing inventory, and organizing state certification exams. The role also involves supervising the fire training drill ground and implementing risk management policies in accordance with industry standards. Additionally, this position plays a critical role in faculty recruitment, interviewing, and recommending full-time and part-time instructors, as well as assistant instructors. It also includes training, evaluating, and supervising faculty members to ensure program excellence. The position serves as the first point of contact for employee and student grievances related to the degree, certificate, and CPAT programs, addressing concerns appropriately or escalating them as needed.

Program Compliance:

• Ensures all Fire Science and Fire Academy student and program records are maintained as required by state and college mandates.
• Provides direct advising for all Fire Science students.
• Ensures all Fire Science curriculum meets State and National standards.
• Ensure IFSAC accreditation standards are maintained, and oversee the accreditation process.
• Schedules and coordinates state written and practical testing for certification tests through the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (CDFPC).
• Verifies that CPAT records are maintained per IAFF licensing requirements.
• Maintains pass rates for (CDFPC) tests for publication on the program website to meet accreditation requirements.
• Maintains inventory control records.

Networking:

• Recruits and markets for the department by attending career fairs (Aims and Career Academy), organizes career fairs, assists with web page management, and assists with the creation of marketing material.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders (fire agencies, EMS agencies, state agencies, high schools) by attending local and state professional organizations, sitting on advisory boards, participating in local committees, meeting with area fire agencies to assess training and education needs, and assisting with concurrent enrollment activities.

Student Interaction:

• Provides advising functions for potential Fire Science Degree and Certificate students.
• Meets with potential students to review program requirements and prerequisites, discuss employment opportunities, and answer questions.
• Provides registration overrides for fire science degree and certificate classes.
• Works with students to ensure that applications for graduation are submitted.

Drill Ground Oversight:

• Provides oversight of the Public Safety Drill Ground.
• Develops and provides training to instructors and staff on proper use of equipment and props.
• Develop and implement risk management policies for the use of equipment and props per industry standards.
• Schedule the drill ground activities with internal and external stakeholders.

CPAT Oversight:

• Provide oversight of CPAT testing processes.
• Supervises staff and manages budget.

Management of Fire Science Degree and Certificate Programs:

• Develop schedules that meet college, accreditation, and state certification requirements.
• Provides advising for all degree-seeking Fire Science students.
• Place book orders.
• Interview, recommend for hire, and supervise FT, PT, and Assistant instructors and staff needed to run the degree and certificate programs.
• Evaluates instructors on performance and conducts observations of instruction.
• Schedule and train FT/PT lead instructors and assistant instructors as needed to meet the appropriate teaching ratios per industry standards.
• Ensures that safety standards are adhered to and implements risk management policies as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science or another related field; plus, four (4) years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Of the required four (4) years of experience, one (1) year must be supervisory and/or demonstrated leadership experience.
• This position requires the use of a company vehicle for business travel. The selected candidate must successfully pass an MVR and be insurable under Aims insurance.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to form and maintain positive relationships with external partners.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education.
• Experience working in a training division at a fire or EMS agency.