Division Chief of Training, Safety, and Emergency Management

SUMMARY
The Division Chief of Training, Safety & Emergency Management provides leadership and oversight for all Fire-Rescue training programs, safety and compliance initiatives, and emergency management operations within the Ocean Reef Community Association (ORCA) Public Safety Department. This position ensures departmental compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations; maintains required licenses and certifications; and develops policies, procedures, and performance standards. The Division Chief directs and evaluates training, promotes a culture of safety, ensures operational readiness of apparatus and equipment, and serves as the department’s Emergency Manager. This role also supports all Public Safety divisions with training, safety, and compliance expertise as needed.

SPECIFIC DUTIES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO)
Training & Compliance

• Ensures compliance with FFOSHA, Florida Administrative Code 69A, Florida Statute 633, and all relevant training regulations.
• Oversees all Fire-Rescue training programs, curriculum, and continuing education.
• Facilitates EVOC training and ensures required courses meet state and national standards.
• Coordinates staff development courses with the Fire Chief and external training providers.
• Coordinates with Human Resources on required HR trainings.
• Reviews, files, and maintains all training documentation, objectives, and course outlines.
• Prepares monthly reports of required, completed, and pending training.
• Maintains all Fire-Rescue personnel training files.
• Assists personnel with scheduling and planning training programs.

Safety & Equipment

• Oversees the Fire-Rescue safety program and ensures compliance with FFOSHA and applicable safety regulations.
• Manages and tracks all PPE assigned to employees.
• Schedules and conducts quarterly Fire-Rescue safety meetings.
• Performs monthly Total Quality Management (TQM) audits of Fire-Rescue operations and reports findings to the Fire Chief.
• Assists with ensuring operational readiness of the Fire-Rescue fleet, apparatus, and equipment.
• Maintain testing records for pump testing, hose testing, ladder testing, mask-fit testing, SCBA/cascade testing, and any required safety-related inspections.

Emergency Management

• Serves as the Public Safety Department’s Emergency Manager.
• Oversees preparedness, hurricane planning, disaster response coordination, and continuity-of-operations planning.
• Coordinates training, exercises, and after-action reviews for emergency management activities.
• Liaises with Monroe County, Miami-Dade, and partner agencies for EM coordination.

Administrative

• Serves as assistant liaison for state, federal, and local audits and inspections.
• Supports credentialing (ISO).
• Prepares documents required for internal/external audits and inspections.
• Conducts internal audits and maintains compliance documentation.
• Helps develop new policies and procedures related to training, safety, and emergency management.
• Serves as Administrator for the Employee Safety Program and Respiratory Protection Program.
• Ensures safety compliance for employees, trainees, and volunteers.
• Manages online systems including ESO Suite, Chief 360, and Target Solutions.

License & Certification Compliance

• Monitors federal, state, and local laws to ensure employees maintain required certifications.
• Audits employee licenses (driver, EMT, paramedic, ACLS, BLS, EVOC, instructor credentials).
• Tracks expiration dates, sends reminders, and ensures timely renewals.
• Submits required documentation and payment to credentialing authorities.

Operational

• May supervise shift personnel and line operations.
• May oversee fire, EMS, and emergency service delivery as directed via chain of command.

Quality Assurance & Improvement (TQM)

• Oversees the department’s Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI) program to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across all Fire-Rescue operations.
• Conducts regular reviews of ESO fire and EMS incident reports to ensure proper documentation, coding, narrative quality, NFIRS/NEMSIS compliance, and adherence to departmental reporting standards.
• Reviews TargetSolutions training records to verify required training hours, competencies, certifications, ISO-related tasks, and mandated courses are accurately recorded and completed.
• Utilizes all available systems—including ESO, TargetSolutions, CAD data, dispatch recordings, and approved video/audio platforms—to support comprehensive QA/QI assessments.
• Identifies trends, documentation issues, training gaps, safety concerns, or operational deficiencies, and provides monthly QA/QI summary reports to the Fire Chief.
• Coordinates corrective actions, targeted retraining, performance improvement plans, and follow-up reviews to ensure sustained compliance and performance improvement.
• Ensures that ESO and TargetSolutions data elements meet requirements for ISO, EMS state auditors, insurance partners, and internal performance metrics.
• Conducts focused incident reviews and after-action evaluations following significant events, unusual incidents, or at the direction of the Fire Chief.

Other

• Performs additional duties, as assigned by the Fire Chief

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to prioritize and remain effective during high-stress incidents or emergency situations.
• Exercises sound judgment, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Works independently under general supervision, applying established standards, procedures, and best practices.
• Ability to motivate, coach, and develop personnel through positive leadership and professional guidance.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs, schedules, records, and compliance documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and department-specific software systems (e.g., ESO, TargetSolutions).
• Ability to work varied hours, including evenings or weekends, to meet training, emergency management, and organizational needs.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand, walk, and move throughout facilities as needed for inspections and training activities.
• May be required to operate in adverse weather during emergency operations or field training.
• Must be able to wear appropriate PPE during drills or emergency responses.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education
A minimum of an Associate Degree from an accredited College or University in Fire Protection, Emergency Management, Business Management, Public/Business Administration, Paramedic Medicine or a closely related field is required. Bachelor’s Degree is highly desirable.

Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of full-time experience as a certified Firefighter-Paramedic required.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory or officer-level experience (e.g., Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Training Officer) required.
• Demonstrated experience in training program development, delivery, and evaluation, including compliance with state and national standards.
• Experience in safety program management, risk reduction, or FFOSHA/NFPA 1500 implementation preferred.
• Experience coordinating or participating in emergency management, disaster preparedness, or multi-agency planning preferred.
• Experience with ESO (fire/EMS reporting) and TargetSolutions (training documentation) or equivalent systems preferred.
• Experience in policy development including SOP’s/SOG’s is preferred.

Licenses, Certificates, or Other:
Must have and maintain the following licenses and certifications:

• Florida Driver License.
• Florida Firefighter II Certification.
• Florida Paramedic Certification is required.
• Fire Officer 1 must be obtained within 6 months of hire. Fire Officer 2 must be obtained within 12 months of hire.
• Florida Fire Safety Officer Certification is required.
• Florida Fire Instructor Certifications is required.
• ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 required.
• AHA BLS Instructor preferred.

All required licenses must be submitted at the time of applying in order for the application to be considered.

If the successful candidate is from out of state, he/she must possess comparable licenses and certifications at time of appointment and meet Florida State Fire Marshal equivalency requirements within 12 months of hire.

Any combination of the above education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties for the position will be considered.

The deadline to apply is on December 19, 2025.

Pay: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $110,000 - $120,000