Coordinator, Fire Service Academy (Extended Posting)

A-B Tech Careers•Asheville, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary purpose of this position is to oversee and manage all operations of the Fire Academy, ensuring high-quality, safe, and compliant fire service training. This includes recruiting candidates, advising, planning, organizing, and coordinating courses, training activities, and certification programs in alignment with state and national fire service standards. The position also functions as a liaison between AB Tech, state agencies, and partner fire departments, maintaining strong community and industry relationships. In essence, this position ensures that the Fire Academy operates efficiently, safely, and in full compliance with fire service standards while preparing students for successful careers in fire and emergency services.

Requirements

Oversee and manage all operations of the Fire Academy.
Ensure high-quality, safe, and compliant fire service training.
Recruit candidates.
Advise students.
Plan, organize, and coordinate courses, training activities, and certification programs in alignment with state and national fire service standards.
Function as a liaison between AB Tech, state agencies, and partner fire departments.
Maintain strong community and industry relationships.
Ensure the Fire Academy operates efficiently, safely, and in full compliance with fire service standards.
Prepare students for successful careers in fire and emergency services.
Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and operational guidelines.
Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor academy instructors.
Secure instructional materials, supplies, and equipment.
Complete, submit, and maintain all program documentation and records.
Monitor student attendance, academic progress, and hands-on performance.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with local fire departments, training officers, firefighters, college staff, and other stakeholders.
Coordinate remediation, tutoring, or make-up sessions.
Oversee classroom, laboratory, and field training.
Enforce academy discipline, professional standards, and the student code of conduct.
Develop and manage the academy’s physical fitness program.
Coordinate and conduct physical fitness training sessions.
Oversee safety protocols during all training exercises.
Conduct routine inspections of training props, equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, college safety standards, and other applicable safety requirements.
Order, inventory, and maintain all academy equipment, PPE, and consumable supplies.
Coordinate the required annual maintenance, testing, and repair of training equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
Promote the Fire Academy through recruitment initiatives, community outreach, and public information events.
Coordinate academy graduation ceremonies and recognition events.
Collaborate as an active member of the department, division, college, and broader firefighting community.
Contribute to the College Vision, Mission, Values, and RISE statement.
Support workforce diversity in all its aspects.

Nice To Haves

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in the Emergency Services field
Certified American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor
Two years of full-time or equivalent experience as a certified and qualified OSFM Fire Instructor.
Proficiency in a foreign language such as Spanish, an East Slavic language, and/or American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, and coordinates all Fire Academy courses, training activities, and certifications offered through Continuing Education, ensuring compliance with the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) standards and North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) regulations.
Develops and maintains comprehensive Fire Academy schedules, training calendars, and course timelines.
Develops, updates, and enforces the academy’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and operational guidelines.
Recruits, trains, supervises, and mentors academy instructors to ensure professionalism, instructional consistency, and high-quality training delivery.
Secures instructional materials, supplies, and equipment prior to the start of each class or training session.
Accurately completes, submits, and maintains all program documentation and records required by the NCOSFM, NCCCS, and the college.
Monitors student attendance, academic progress, and hands-on performance throughout the duration of the academy.
Serves as a liaison between A-B Tech, the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, and local fire departments.
Builds and maintains strong partnerships with local fire departments, training officers, firefighters, college staff, and other stakeholders to foster open communication and collaboration.
Provides individual counseling and support to students and instructors as needed, coordinating remediation, tutoring, or make-up sessions when appropriate.
Distributes class materials, manuals, and resources to instructors and students.
Oversees classroom, laboratory, and field training to ensure consistent instructional quality and adherence to academy standards.
Enforces academy discipline, professional standards, and the student code of conduct.
Develops and manages the academy’s physical fitness program to ensure recruits meet the physical and mental demands of the fire service.
Coordinates and conducts physical fitness training sessions emphasizing endurance, strength, agility, and firefighter wellness.
Oversees safety protocols during all classroom, laboratory, field, and live-fire training exercises.
Conducts routine inspections of training props, equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure proper function and safety.
Ensures compliance with OSHA regulations, college safety standards, and other applicable safety requirements.
Orders, inventories, and maintains all academy equipment, PPE, and consumable supplies.
Coordinates the required annual maintenance, testing, and repair of training equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
Promotes the Fire Academy through recruitment initiatives, community outreach, and public information events to increase awareness and enrollment.
Coordinates academy graduation ceremonies and recognition events.
Collaborates as an active member of the department, division, college, and broader firefighting community.
Contributes to the College Vision, Mission, Values, and RISE statement.
Supports workforce diversity in all its aspects.
Performs other duties as assigned.