Fire Training Coordinator-Captain

Lead with Purpose. Serve with Integrity. Strengthen Your Fire Service Legacy.

The Chatham County Fire Department (CCFD) is accepting applications for the position of Fire Training Coordinator-Captain. Based in the coastal and rapidly growing community of Chatham County, Georgia, CCFD is committed to delivering outstanding emergency services across 242 square miles, serving over 109,000 residents.

As the department evolves and expands its operational capabilities, including high-angle rescue, water rescue, community paramedicine, and behavioral health response, CCFD is seeking experienced and driven fire service professionals to take on key leadership roles within its frontline operations.

Under the direction of the Training and Safety Division Chief, the Fire Training Coordinator - Captain is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, delivering, and evaluating all fire and rescue training activities within the fire department. Core duties include developing and implementing annual training priorities, goals, and objectives; coordinating recruit academies, promotional development, and continuing education programs; conducting competency evaluations and certification testing; providing classroom, field, and live-fire instruction; maintaining accurate training records; ensuring compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (GFSTC), ISO, OSHA, and departmental standards; and managing assigned training programs and projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports the mission, vision, goals, objectives, and organizational values of the department with the highest ethical and moral standards, contributing to the overall operational excellence and service to the community;
• Administers and adheres to department and county rules and regulations, protocols, general orders, and standard operating policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and professionalism;
• Sets a positive example regarding personal fitness and wellness by supporting initiatives that encourage a healthy workforce and embodying the philosophy that everyone goes home safely at the end of the shift and retires free of disability;
• Works collaboratively to foster a compassionate, functional, and positive organizational culture, promoting accountability, competence, discipline, engagement, recognition, and continuous professional development;
• Supervises and mentors assigned personnel by conducting timely performance evaluations, providing formal and informal counseling, addressing work deficiencies, fostering skill development, issuing corrective action when needed, and offering guidance on professional growth to maintain high operational standards;
• Develops, coordinates, schedules, and delivers department-wide fire and rescue training programs supporting annual training priorities, strategic goals, and operational readiness; 
• Coordinates recruit academies, company officer development programs, promotional assessment preparation, and continuing education for all suppression personnel; 
• Develops lesson plans, practical skill evolutions, live fire exercises, simulations, and competency evaluations consistent with NFPA and GFSTC standards.;
• Coordinates and evaluates instructor performance while mentoring department instructors and assisting personnel in obtaining Fire Instructor certifications; 
• Oversees training records, certification compliance, state reporting requirements, and documentation necessary to maintain ISO, accreditation, and regulatory compliance; 
• Evaluates emergency incidents to identify training opportunities and develops corrective training based upon after-action reviews, near misses, firefighter injuries, and operational trends; 
• Coordinates regional training with neighboring fire departments, state agencies, and educational partners; 
• Assists with development and revision of Standard Operating Procedures, training manuals, task books, and department instructional materials; 
• Coordinates specialized training programs including technical rescue, hazardous materials, driver/operator, officer development, incident command, firefighter survival, rapid intervention, mayday operations, and live fire training;
• Serves as Incident Commander, Division/Group Supervisor, Safety Officer, or other assigned command positions during emergency incidents when requested; 
• Responds to emergency incidents as a firefighter, performs variety of emergency medical care and firefighting functions as the situation demands, as needed;
• Participates in disaster planning, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery efforts;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other related essential and non-essential duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to the department’s evolving needs.

• Associate's degree from a Department of Education-accredited college or university, or documented equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to function in the position.
• Six (6) years of continuous and current full-time (paid) service in a career municipal, county, or state fire department; 
• Six (6) years full-time (paid) experience as a certified front-line structural firefighter;
• Two (2) years as a pumper and aerial driver/operator; 
• One (1) year as a Fire Lieutenant or higher rank of an operational fire company;
• Two (2) years of experience as lead instructor teaching fire related topics that demonstrate the required knowledge, abilities, behaviors, and traits to successfully perform the essential function of a fire instructor; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work;
• Experience must reflect a consistent pattern of increasing responsibility, mentorship, professional development, and support of organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• NPQ or IFSAC Fire Instructor II.
• NPQ or IFSAC Fire Officer III.

Lateral Hire Requirements (If Applicable)

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements outlined above, lateral hire candidates must currently hold or successfully complete the following:

• Georgia-licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or National Registry EMT with the ability to obtain Georgia licensure within 30 days of hire;
• Georgia Certified Fire fighter or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire;
• Completion of the CCFD lateral recruit academy;
• Completion of the CCFD Company Officer Academy within 180 days of hire;
• Completion of one (1) year probation period beginning on the hire date;

Additional Eligibility Requirements:  

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid state driver’s license.
• U.S. Citizen.
• Successfully pass pre-employment testing, physical agility, fitness assessments (NFPA 1582), background checks, and drug screening.
• Meet certification and licensing requirements for the position.

Why Join Chatham County Fire Department?

• Be part of a growing, professional fire department with a clear mission and strategic vision
• Assume a leadership role where you can mentor others and influence operations
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Professional development opportunities and leadership training

Apply Today

Take the next step in your fire service career. Apply to be a Fire Lieutenant with Chatham County Fire Department and help lead the future of emergency response in your community.

 To Apply: https://jobs.chathamcounty.org

For questions or more information, please contact Chatham County Fire Department administrative office at (912) 219-0420.