Battalion Chief, Training & Readiness Leader

Dorchester County; St. George (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dorchester County Fire Department is seeking a Battalion Chief – Training to oversee planning, development, coordination, administration, and supervision of all training and professional development activities.

The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local standards and supports operational readiness by managing firefighter training, certification programs, EMS education, safety initiatives, and special operations training.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Fire Science or related discipline.
• Eight years of fire service including supervisory experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina state driver’s license.
• Certifications: Fire Instructor II, Officer II, and related training certifications per NFPA/IFSAC; ICS courses.

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates training programs for fire suppression, EMS, rescue, hazmat, driver training, officer development, and specialized operations.
• Ensures compliance with SC fire service standards, NFPA, OSHA, and departmental policies.
• Supervises training personnel, instructors, and staff; manages scheduling, evaluations, coaching, and discipline.
• Develops annual training plans and schedules to support readiness and accreditation objectives.
• Coordinates recruit academies, continuing education, promotional preparation, and certification courses.
• Maintains training records, certifications, and compliance documentation for personnel.
• Evaluates training effectiveness and recommends curriculum and instructional improvements.
• Supports development and implementation of policies, procedures, and strategic safety initiatives.
• Prepares reports, budget requests, and grant documentation related to training.
• Coordinates exercises with mutual aid agencies and regional partners.
• Conducts incident critiques to identify training opportunities.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Training program development

Compliance knowledge

Education

Associate’s degree in Fire Science or related discipline

Eight years of fire service including supervisory experience

Job description

The Dorchester County Fire Department is seeking a Battalion Chief – Training to oversee planning, development, coordination, administration, and supervision of all training and professional development activities.

The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local standards and supports operational readiness by managing firefighter training, certification programs, EMS education, safety initiatives, and special operations training.