FIRE OFFICER PROGRAM MANAGER

Position Marketing Statement

Looking to elevate your fire service career? The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is seeking an organized, compliance-driven leader to manage all facets of the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Program – our highest-tier certification, ensuring candidates meet rigorous state and national standards. If you possess a deep understanding of fire administration, a meticulous eye for detail, and a commitment to advancing the fire service, this is your opportunity to shape the next generation of industry leaders. As the Fire Officer Program Manager, and employee of the State of Illinois, the selected candidate will have access to state healthcare, benefits, and a pension plan. We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join the OSFM team.

Essential Functions

• Under the direction of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Personnel Standards and Education (PS&E) Division Manager, as the statewide program manager, administers all facets of the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) certification program, the highest certification level offered by PS&E, ensuring compliance with state and national standards.
• Manages the evaluation and verification of Fire Officer and prerequisite certification Task Books to ensure candidate readiness for certification and recertification by coordinating with field personnel and applying requirements outlined in the administrative rules.
• Ensures the integrity, compliance, and administration of specific state and national fire service certification levels which include Instructor certification levels, Training Program Manager, Fire Department Incident Safety Officer, Fire Department Health and Safety Officer, and Fire Service Executive Support, managing course approvals, curriculum reviews, and testing processes in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
• Serves as primary coordinator for OSFM Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention Specialist and (YFPISS) and Community Risk Reduction Practitioner (CRRP) certification programs.
• Serves as dedicated point-of-contact to assist participating community colleges regarding non-affiliated individuals seeking certification paths.
• As the primary division coordinator and liaison, orchestrates division-wide activities and meetings by facilitating communication and logistics between internal and external committees and related events.
• Acts as a subject matter expert to provide multi-faceted support and consultation to PS&E staff when requested.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration.
• Requires two (2) years of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Specialized Skills

• Requires six (6) or more years of experience with a fire department as a Chief Fire Officer.
• Requires prior experience developing and implementing Task Books referencing NFPA standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers six (6) or more years of experience with a fire department as a Chief Fire Officer.
• Prefers prior experience developing and implementing Task Books referencing NFPA standards.
• Prefers prior experience as an OSFM Fire Certification Specialist.
• Prefers OSFM certification as a Training Program Manager.
• Prefers OSFM certification as a Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention Specialist or OSFM equivalent certification.
• Prefers OSFM certification as a Fire Department Incident Safety Officer.
• Prefers OSFM certification as a Fire Department Health and Safety Officer.
• Prefers at least five (5) years of experience as a Fire Service Instructor.
• Prefers six (6) or more years of experience in a training environment instructing and developing training programs.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a current and valid driver’s license and the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to pass drug screening and background check with self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires OSFM certification as Chief Fire Officer.
• Requires OSFM certification as a Fire Service Instructor III.
• This position is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)). Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Requires ability to satisfy all continuing education or recertification requirements mandated by statute, rule, or the OSFM.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.