What are the responsibilities and job description for the CERT Program Class Instructor (Volunteer) position at San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District?
The CERT program trains local residents through a nationally recognized 27-hour academy course to prepare for, build critical skills, and respond in times of emergency to assist our neighbors and communities.
The Volunteer CERT Program Class Instructor plays a vital role in strengthening community resilience by delivering FEMA-aligned CERT Basic and Advanced Training to residents and volunteers. This position supports the San Ramon Fire District’s mission to build prepared, capable, and self-reliant neighborhoods through quality instruction, hands-on exercises, and engagement during community events. Instructors ensure participants are confident in disaster response principles, teamwork, and readiness through professional, safe, and standardized instruction.
This is a volunteer (unpaid) position and role that reports to CERT Program Leadership and/or the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Liaison.
The duties consist of, but are not limited to the following:
- Deliver one or more modules of the SRVCERT Academy as part of the SRVCERT Instructor team with opportunities to deliver select advanced training modules in accordance with national standards and SRVCERT local program guidelines.
- Lead and facilitate classroom sessions, hands-on training, and simulations that reinforce disaster response skills (e.g., disaster preparedness, fire safety, medical operations, search and rescue, incident command systems, disaster psychology, and communications).
- Collaborate with the CERT Program Administrator and Instructor Team to plan, schedule, and coordinate training sessions, refreshers, and community presentations.
- Maintain, update, and improve lesson plans, training materials, and instructional aids to ensure consistency and compliance with national, regional, and local CERT guidance.
- Support neighborhood, HOA, and community outreach events, promoting preparedness and ongoing volunteer engagement.
- Ensure all activities are conducted safely, inclusively, and in alignment with departmental policies and SRVCERT and SRVFPD best practices.
- Participate in at least four (4) training sessions annually, with opportunities to teach up to one course per month.
- Minimum Age: 18
- Completion of CERT Academy.
- Must have a valid California Driver's License.
- Maintenance of a valid California Driver's License is required as a condition to volunteer.
- Maintain a residence within the District, or within 30 minutes of District boundaries.
QUALIFICATIONS - KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES
- Demonstrated communication, teaching, or facilitation skills in group settings.
- Ability to pass any department-required background check.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a structured emergency management environment.
- Willingness to serve evenings and weekends as needed for training delivery.
- Commitment to the mission and values of the CERT program.
HIGHLY DESIRED:
- Prior experience teaching or instructing within CERT, SRVFPD Community Education, or public safety training programs.
- Completion of CERT Train-the-Trainer (TTT) or Program Manager courses.
- Familiarity with teen and adult learning principles, safety training, and hands-on skill instruction.
- Background in emergency response, community preparedness, public education, or related field.
ORIENTATION & TRAINING (Provided by the District)
- All instructors will complete a CERT training program orientation covering SRVFPD policies, CERT operations, CERT training requirements, and safety procedures.
- Mentorship by members of the CERT Leadership Team and current CERT class instructors.
- Ongoing professional development, including Train The Trainer (T3) training, module, content development, refresher training, and instructional coaching provided by the CERT leadership and instructor team.
- Access to CERT Academy course materials, instructional templates, and continuing education opportunities through CERT and partner agencies.
COMMITMENT & BENEFITS
- The Volunteer CERT Program Administrator is an integral member of the CERT leadership team. Volunteers gain valuable emergency management experience, professional development, and satisfaction in serving their community. This position requires a consistent time commitment, dependability, and adherence to data security, confidentiality, and operational protocols.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates must apply online through Government Jobs at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/srvfire.
Candidates considered for employment will be required to undergo a background investigation, including a medical examination and a pre-employment drug screening.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Division at (925) 838-6628.
The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit, qualifications and competence. The District does not discriminate on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy and breastfeeding), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming), color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), age (40 and over), genetic characteristics and information, reproductive health decision-making, or any other basis prohibited by law.