Director of Technical Training – Fire Protection

Guardian Fire Protection Services•Rockville, MD

About The Position

Guardian Fire Protection Services, LLC is a leading provider of fire protection, life safety, and security solutions, proudly serving the Mid‑Atlantic, Midwest, and Southeast regions for more than 45 years. Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, Guardian operates 23 offices across 8 states and supports more than 90,000 customers across a wide range of industries. Guardian delivers comprehensive, end‑to-end service across the fire, life safety and security industries. Our capabilities include fire sprinklers, fire alarms and monitoring, fire pumps, extinguishers, special hazards systems, marine fire protection, and integrated security solutions that include access control systems and CCTV. Our continued growth is fueled by deep technical expertise, trusted customer relationships, strong business performance, and a disciplined acquisition strategy that ensures consistent quality and service across all locations. Our People & Culture At Guardian and our affiliated companies, our people are the foundation of our success. We're committed to hiring and developing talented, passionate professionals who share our mission to protect lives and property. As we continue to grow, we offer meaningful career opportunities within a dynamic organization focusing on customer service, technical expertise, collaboration and long-term success. Job Summary: The Director of Technical Training – Fire Protection is responsible for creating, facilitating, and managing training of fire protection technicians that specialize in various disciplines across the organization. Training is to include technical excellence, safety, NFPA compliance, and operational performance. This role ensures employees particularly technicians and field leaders are properly trained, certified, and developed to meet the requirements of the fire protection and life safety industry.

Requirements

Degree (associates/ bachelor) in fire protection engineering or associated fire safety degree (or equivalent experience and NICET certifications)
5+ years of experience in training, learning & development, or workforce development
Proven experience training, mentoring, or developing field technicians.
Strong knowledge of NFPA codes and standards (e.g., NFPA 1, 17/17A, 25, 72, 2001).
Experience supporting technical or field‑based workforces
Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple programs and stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of NFPA standards, and technician certification pathways
NICET certification or experience managing NICET programs
Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Familiarity with high ‑ growth organizations

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a comprehensive training strategy aligned with competency, safety, customer service, and regulatory requirements
Design and manage technical training programs covering fire alarm, water-based fire protection, wet chemical, dry chemical, clean agent suppression systems, extinguishers.
Establish standardized onboarding and role‑based training curricula for field and office personnel.
Ensure training content is kept current and complies with current codes, technologies, and company standards.
Oversee training program related to regulatory compliance, including NFPA standards, AHJ requirements, and company policies
Manage certification and credential tracking, including NICET, licensing, manufacturer certifications, and safety training
Create a regimented audit readiness program through accurate training records and documentation
Support NICET certification paths; prepare technicians for exams through study sessions and guided practice.
Conduct field audits to verify compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with engineering, compliance, and operations leadership to drive continuous improvement.
Deliver instructor‑led, virtual, and blended learning programs across all companies (~50% travel)
Coordinate technical labs, field training, and hands-on instruction
Select and manage learning platforms (LMS) and training vendors
Support train‑the-trainer programs and leverage team expertise across the organization
Partner with HR and leadership to support leadership development and supervisor training programs
Build career development pathways for technicians, inspectors, and emerging leaders
Support succession planning through targeted development initiatives
Promote continuous learning and skills development across the organization
Assist with onboarding and training for newly acquired companies
Track training participation, completion, certification status, and effectiveness
Measure training impact on safety, quality, productivity, and retention
Continuously improve programs based on performance data, feedback, and evolving industry needs
Maintain accurate documentation and reporting