Description

Position Overview

This position is responsible for developing, coordinating, and instructing a variety of fire service programs and courses offered by Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI), with emphasis on basic fire and rescue programs. This position is responsible for reviewing and updating course curriculum; conducting training program assessments and modifying programs if necessary; and establishing collaborative relationships with the Kansas fire and emergency service. This position frequently coordinates and collaborates with program coordinators and managers. This position reports to the Fire Programs Manager of KFRTI and the Assistant Director in their absence.

Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute is a unit of KU Jayhawk Global housed on the Lawrence campus. The Institute was created in 1949 by Kansas legislature with the mission to train and credential Kansas firefighters in local jurisdictions. The Institute serves fire departments and firefighters through a "traveling instruction service," providing hundreds of training and certification events each year in counties across the State of Kansas.

The mission of Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute is to provide accessible, innovative, and science and data-driven training and credentialing for fire and emergency services personnel to improve the health and safety of our communities.

Jayhawk Global is an education innovation center that advances and delivers non-traditional forms of learner engagement, including online degree programs, professional and workforce development, certifications, competency-based educational offerings, credit for prior experience, employee training, and enrichment learning. Jayhawk Global's mission is both internal, working collaboratively with all KU academic schools and departments, and external, serving all 105 Kansas counties, 50 U.S. states, and over 40 countries. The units in Jayhawk Global include: Academic & Professional Programs (including the Aerospace Short Course Program, Conferences & Non-Credit Courses, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, and the Center for Online & Distance Learning.

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details and additional KU Benefits information available at: Tuition Assistance | KU Benefits

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

Job Description

35% - Coordinate training requests, instructor assignments, and course deliveries.

• Accept training requests from Kansas fire departments and private sector clients related to fire and rescue training
• Coordinate training dates with fire and rescue personnel, fire departments, and other clients.
• Coordinate the use of contractors for course deliveries with Director or Assistant Director approval.
• Select most appropriate use of resources, containing costs where appropriate.
• Identify, select, train, coordinate and authorize pay and travel expense reimbursement for part-time instructors within the assigned programmatic training programs.
• Coordinate props and equipment delivery and use with Transportation Program Coordinator.
• Negotiate and prepare proposals for out- of-state and private sector clients. Include all delivery elements and a cost/fee estimate and present to Director or Assistant Director for approval.

20% - Serve as the lead instructor for selected multi-instructor events.

• Identify courses that will require direct instructional support from KFRTI full-time staff.
• Assume the role of Lead instructor and direct oversight of part-time instructors when appropriate. Manage all aspects of course delivery, including costs, supervision, classroom presentations, skills training, and appropriate use of equipment.
• Cross train and instruct in several programmatic areas (e.g., Firefighting, Technical Rescue, Fire officer, Fire Instructor, etc.)

20% - Establish collaborative relationships with fire service organizations in Kansas.

• Identify fire service organizations willing to collaborate with KFRTI in advancing fire service training.
• Identify and recruit a cadre of qualified part-time instructors.
• Consult with Director and/or Assistant Director on potential collaborative possibilities.
• Draft appropriate MOAs in consultation with Director and/or Assistant Director.

10% - Serve as a subject matter expert for new course development and revision of existing courses assigned.

• Revise courses within assigned training program area.
• Write objectives for assigned program courses and develop instructional support material.
• Design online and hybrid assigned program courses to meet the needs of the Kansas fire service.

10% - Develop instructors for assigned programmatic training programs.

• Identify and recruit a cadre of qualified instructors.
• Teach "train-the-trainer" courses to contract instructors or other clients.
• Ensure instructors adhere to professional standards of Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute.
• Train instructors on the proper use of course material, training equipment, and training props.

5% - Other duties as assigned by the Director and/or Assistant Director.

Position Requirements

Kansas Class A Commercial Driver's License with a Hazardous Material Endorsement within one year of hire.

This position is a hybrid work assignment and is not required to work from the Lawrence, Kansas campus. This position shall be based in and work from a county within the State of Kansas. Persons in this position are required to live in Kansas.

Persons in this position will be required to commute to and spend two consecutive days each month in the office on the Lawrence or Edward's campus working in person with KFRTI Lawrence, KS staff. Consecutive days will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, defined as the "core work week" at KFRTI.

Considerable in-state and limited out-of-state travel is required in this position. Travel related to this position may be required from one to five days per week. This position is routinely required to work a non-traditional schedule (including evenings and weekends).

Lifting of heavy materials and training props up to 100 pounds is required in this position. Successful candidates must be capable of lifting and moving teaching kits, firefighting equipment and setting up training props.

Required Qualifications

1. High school diploma and five years progressive experience conducting/providing fire service training OR a bachelor's degree and three years' experience conducting/providing fire service training;
2. IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II National Certification;
3. IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor I National Certification;
4. Minimum of 3 years of experience as a full-time firefighter; or 5 years of experience as an active volunteer firefighter;
5. IFSAC and/or Pro Board NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor certification (or) International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) Live Fire Training- Fixed Facility Instructor credential within one-year of hire;
6. Certificate of Completion: Evidenced-Based Structural Firefighting (This course is available online at no cost: Evidence-Based Structural Firefighting | NFPA 1700 Training
7. Certificates of Completion of FEMA/NIMS ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800.

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday July 10, 2026. and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.