Police Training Specialist and Firearms Instructor

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority•Dulles, VA

8d•$36 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

The Police Training Specialist and Firearms Instructor plans, coordinates, develops, delivers, administers, documents, and evaluates comprehensive training programs for sworn and civilian personnel of the Airports Authority Police Department. The role serves as a department firearms instructor and may be assigned additional specialized law enforcement training disciplines based on department operational and training needs. The position is in the Office of Public Safety at Washington Dulles International Airport. The role develops and delivers instruction in firearms, use of force, force-on-force and reality-based scenarios, control and defensive tactics, active violence response, officer safety and survival, de-escalation, constitutional policing, legal updates, and other law enforcement disciplines. It applies evidence-based adult learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and contemporary law enforcement training practices to ensure effective programs and compliance with applicable laws, Virginia DCJS requirements, department policies, accreditation standards, and recognized law enforcement training practices. The position also manages training needs assessments and plans; develops instructional materials and assessments; evaluates trainee performance and coordinates remedial instruction; supports the instructor cadre; maintains training records and databases; monitors certification and regulatory compliance; and prepares reports and documentation for audits, accreditation, inspections, and reviews. It may require evening, night, weekend, holiday, extended, or special-shift work, as well as holdover or recall for essential services and emergencies.

Requirements

Three years of related firearms training experience.
Thorough knowledge of contemporary law enforcement principles, practices, tactics, training methodologies, and adult learning principles.
Thorough knowledge of curriculum development, instructional design, performance-based training, and evaluation methodologies.
Knowledge of constitutional law, criminal procedure, search and seizure, use-of-force law, Virginia criminal law, and other legal issues affecting law enforcement operations.
Knowledge of firearms safety, firearms training, range operations, use-of-force training, defensive tactics, reality-based training, and scenario-based instruction.
Knowledge of Virginia DCJS training and instructor certification requirements, learning management systems, electronic training databases, instructional technology, and training records management.
Ability to instruct adult learners effectively in classroom, virtual, practical, and scenario-based settings and to develop comprehensive instructional materials, practical exercises, examinations, and performance evaluations.
Ability to assess trainee performance, identify training deficiencies, and develop appropriate remedial measures.
Ability to analyze training data, operational trends, legal developments, and regulatory requirements and translate findings into effective training programs.
Ability to manage multiple programs, projects, deadlines, and competing priorities; communicate effectively; exercise sound judgment; maintain confidentiality; and establish effective working relationships with personnel, supervisors, command staff, outside agencies, training organizations, and partner organizations.
Ability to speak and write effectively.
High school diploma or GED.
State driver’s license in good standing.
Obtain Virginia DCJS General Instructor Certification within six months of hire, promotion, or placement in the job.
Obtain Virginia DCJS Firearms Instructor Certification within six months of hire, promotion, or placement in the job.
Maintain all required instructor certifications and qualifications throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree or higher.
Experience serving as a firearms instructor.
Experience in law enforcement.
One or more of the following certifications: Virginia DCJS Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification, Virginia DCJS Driver Training Instructor Certification, Force-on-Force or Reality-Based Training Instructor Certification, Active Violence Instructor Certification, TASER Instructor Certification, Less-Lethal Instructor Certification, Firearms Armorer Certification, CPR/AED/First Aid Certification, FEMA ICS/NIMS Certifications, or another nationally recognized law enforcement instructor or specialty certification.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, schedule, administer, and evaluate department-wide training programs for sworn and civilian personnel.
Conduct training needs assessments using operational data, performance trends, policy changes, legal developments, employee performance, incident reviews, and stakeholder feedback.
Develop annual and recurring training plans and coordinate instructors, facilities, equipment, schedules, course materials, and other resources.
Serve as a department firearms instructor and conduct firearms instruction, qualifications, re-qualifications, remedial training, and range operations.
Serve as a firearms safety officer and assist with safe operation, security, maintenance, and administration of firearms training facilities and equipment.
Develop and deliver instruction in firearms, use of force, force-on-force and reality-based training, control and defensive tactics, officer survival, active violence response, de-escalation, officer safety, constitutional policing, report writing, legal updates, and other law enforcement disciplines.
Develop and conduct practical skills, scenario-based, simulation, and performance-based training, including remedial and proficiency training when deficiencies are identified.
Research, design, develop, revise, and maintain lesson plans, instructor guides, presentations, practical and scenario-based exercises, examinations, online learning modules, training bulletins, and other instructional materials.
Develop and administer written examinations, practical skills assessments, scenario-based evaluations, and other trainee competency measures; evaluate performance, document results, identify deficiencies, and coordinate remedial instruction.
Coordinate and support the department instructor cadre, including assignments, certifications, recertifications, continuing education, and professional development.
Maintain accurate and confidential training records, certification files, instructor credentials, course documentation, and electronic training records, including department learning management systems and electronic training databases.
Monitor compliance with Virginia DCJS training and instructor certification requirements, department directives, accreditation standards, and other applicable regulations; track required training, certifications, qualifications, recertifications, and expiration dates.
Prepare statistical, compliance, accreditation, audit, after-action, and management reports, and maintain documentation for audits, accreditation assessments, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
Incorporate changes in federal and Virginia law, court decisions, legislation, regulations, accreditation standards, department policies, and law enforcement best practices into training programs; maintain current knowledge of training methodologies, instructional technology, and professional standards.
Participate in instructor development programs, professional conferences, specialized training, accreditation activities, policy development, committees, and department projects.
Represent the department professionally when coordinating or participating in training with law enforcement agencies, governmental organizations, and external training providers.
Perform other duties as assigned.