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.

This position is part of the Chatham County Fire Department (CCFD) critical workforce and is subject to call-back. During disaster or emergency activation of the CCFD Incident Management Team, the Fire Training Coordinator – Captain may serve as the Resource Unit Leader, a Division/Group Supervisor, or other assigned Incident Management Team positions.

When not performing instructional duties, the incumbent coordinates department training initiatives, instructor development, certification management, curriculum development, and department training projects to ensure personnel maintain operational readiness. The position exercises considerable independence in planning and administering department-wide training programs and provides supervision and guidance to Fire Training Coordinator - Lieutenant, adjunct instructors, and other personnel assigned to training details.  

The Fire Chief may assign the Fire Training Coordinator – Captain to additional special projects or administrative duties in support of CCFD's mission, vision, organizational goals, and strategic initiatives.

This position's principal function is to lead, develop, and deliver comprehensive fire and rescue training programs for all Chatham County Fire Department (CCFD) personnel, with a strong focus on operational excellence, firefighter safety, and emergency preparedness. The role collaborates with operational divisions, special operations teams, and regional training partners to enhance the department's capabilities in fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, incident command, driver/operator proficiency, and other specialized emergency response disciplines. In addition to instructional responsibilities, the incumbent oversees instructor development, evaluates personnel competencies, and assists with recruit academy, promotional, and continuing education programs to ensure compliance with departmental, state, and national training standards. This position is essential in strengthening CCFD's operational readiness by developing highly trained personnel capable of delivering safe, effective, and professional emergency services to the community.

The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Fire Training and Safety Division Chief, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. Supervision is exercised over assigned subordinate personnel, including the Fire Training Coordinator - Lieutenant, and  adjunct instructors, The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Fire Training and Safety Division Chief and other Command Staff, County personnel, elected and appointed officials, representatives of Federal, State, County and municipal agencies, medical and associated agencies, and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in appropriate instructional environments and in environments which include:

• Exposure to high humidity extreme cold and hot temperatures, and severe weather conditions;
• Exposure to loud noise, and vibrations from tools, equipment, machinery, etc.;
• Exposure to hazardous conditions such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, burns, explosives, heights, fast-moving vehicles, medical patients, viruses and diseases, and atmospheric conditions such as liquids, fumes, gases, odors, dust, particulates, and poor ventilation.

Key Responsibilities

This is not a comprehensive list of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below.

• 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.

As we continue to uphold the highest standards in our fire department's recruitment process, highlighted below are the requirements applicable to all certified positions within the fire department. These standards are crucial to ensure continued integrity, performance, and professionalism from each member of the fire department.

• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application;
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess a and valid state driver’s license;
• Successfully pass all pre-employment testing (written exam, physical agility test, and interview), NFPA 1582/1583 medical evaluation and fitness assessment, background/criminal/motor vehicle history review, drug screen, and other pre-employment requirements;
• Meet all certification and licensing requirements to function in the position;
  • Valid Georgia Class F license (or equivalent)
  • Georgia Certified Firefighter
  • Georgia-licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • NPQ or IFSAC Hazardous Materials Operations Level
  • NPQ or IFSAC Firefighter II certification
  • NPQ or IFSAC Fire Instructor II certification (preferred; Instructor I minimum)
  • NPQ or IFSAC Apparatus Driver/Operator Pumper
  • NPQ or IFSAC Apparatus Driver/Operator Aerial
  • NPQ or IFSAC Fire Officer III (preferred; Fire Officer II minimum)
  • NPQ or IFSAC Incident Safety Officer
  • Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (GFSTC) NPQ Evaluator
  • NIMS-ICS 100,200, 300, 700, 800 current version
  • CCFD Company Officer Academy
    

Lateral Hire Requirements

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; 

Applicants must undergo an extensive national background investigation in accordance with the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (GFSTC) rules and regulations. Applicants for uniformed firefighting positions must not have the following automatic disqualifiers:

Automatic Disqualifiers – Criminal Background Review:

• Pending criminal cases;
• Convictions, nolo contendere or pleas involving sexual offenses, Domestic Violence Act offenses, impersonating a police officer, perjury or false statements;
• Felony convictions, nolo contendere or plea involving felony arrests (within the last ten (10) years);
• Multiple misdemeanors within the past three (3) years;
• Serious misdemeanor convictions, nolo contendere, or plea within the past three (3) years;
• No patterns of criminal involvement or intent related to offenses that may indicate a disregard for the law or ethical and moral conduct.

Automatic Disqualifiers – Motor Vehicle Report Review:

• DUI/DWI charge with deposition of nolo contendere, conviction or plea within the past five (5) years; or two (2) in the last seven (7) years;
• Driver license suspensions within the past three (3) years; and no two (2) or more suspensions in the past seven (7) years;
• Three (3) moving violations in the past two (2) years; and no six (6) or more in the past seven (7) years;
• Multiple accidents within the past two (2) years;
• Reckless Driving within the past two (2) years;
• Vehicular homicide or hit and run charge or arrest;
• Fleeing or attempting to elude the police charge or arrest.

Other Necessary Requirements

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, standards, rules and regulations as they apply to fire and emergency medical services, fire prevention and code enforcement, and human resource management;
• Knowledge of modern fire prevention and suppression, fire protection systems, water supply, building construction, fire rescue operations, hazardous materials response, crash victim   extrication, driving and operating pumper and aerial fire apparatus, emergency medical care, etc.;
• Knowledge of NFPA standards, Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council requirements, ISO training documentation, OSHA regulations, and accreditation best practices;
• Knowledge of local geography, including the location of water mains, hydrants, and major target hazards;
• Knowledge of modern organizational administration, budgeting, and resource management;
• Extensive knowledge of modern fire suppression tactics, strategy, building construction, fire behavior, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, incident command, instructor methodology, adult learning principles, and firefighter safety;
• Must have strong communications skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to interact well with supervisors, other employees, citizens, and members from other departments;
• Skilled in use of computers, telephone, two-way radio, printer, and copy machine;
• Ability to understand and follow rules and regulations, protocols, general orders, and standard operating policies and procedures, and the line of authority;
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor personnel, fostering a positive and accountable organizational culture;
• Demonstrated expertise in developing, coordinating, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive fire service training programs;
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills, particularly under high-stress conditions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to 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; 
• Ability to utilize integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Will require use of personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, coat, pants, hood, boots, self- contained breathing apparatus, etc.) to complete various firefighter duties and tasks;
• Will require standing, running, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, climbing, balancing, bending/twisting; lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing/pulling of 100 pounds or more while completing physical fitness training or firefighter and emergency medical technician duties / tasks;
• Will require use of firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical care equipment such as fire hose, ladders, hydraulic, ropes, gas and electric power tools, patient lifting devices, etc.;
• Will require a successful annual medical evaluation and fitness assessment (NFPA 1582).

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 Now

If you are a confident, capable, and motivated fire service leader ready to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply today.
To Apply: https://jobs.chathamcounty.org

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

Salary : $77,817