Certification Program Specialist - Firefighter Training & Certification

State of Missouri; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Division of Fire Safety / Office of the State Fire Marshal seeks a Certification Specialist to develop and coordinate statewide firefighter training and certification programs aligned with NFPA standards.

The role provides technical guidance to instructors, manages documentation and reporting, and helps maintain accreditation while coordinating exams, materials, and evaluator assignments across multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional fire service experience with curriculum development and instruction.
• NFPA standards alignment for training and certification programs.
• Experience coordinating course materials, exams and instructor assignments.
• Strong written communication and grant proposal drafting abilities.
• Willingness to travel statewide, nationally, and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate and manage statewide firefighter training and certification programs.
• Ensure curricula meet NFPA standards and maintain accreditation.
• Oversee exams, tests, instructor assignments, and evaluators.
• Lead and mentor instructors; perform quality audits of sites and staff.
• Provide technical guidance to fire academies, colleges, and departments.
• Stay current with regulations and accreditation requirements; ensure compliance.
• Maintain program records and reports for leadership and accrediting bodies.
• Engage with internal staff and external stakeholders at meetings and conferences.
• Assist with budget development and oversight for training equipment and facilities.

Skills

NFPA standards & curriculum

Program coordination

Instructional design

Written communication

Stakeholder engagement

LMS proficiency

Microsoft Office & Adobe

High-pressure multitasking

Education

IFSAc/ProBoard Instructor Level I

Fire Service Live Fire Instructor certification

Instructor II acquisition within 12 months

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science / Public Administration / Business

Tools

LMS

Testing software

Microsoft Office

Adobe products

Job description

Since 1972, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety / Office of the State Fire Marshal has been the State of Missouri’s premier regulatory oversight and enforcement agency for fire investigations, blaster licensing, fire inspections, fire‑safe cigarettes program, fireworks permitting and licensing, elevator and amusement ride safety, boiler and pressure vessel safety, and firefighter training and certification. The Division provides direct services to over 25,000 first responders and over 51,000 businesses in Missouri, as well as indirect services to the 6.1 million residents and over 40 million visitors to the state each year.

Our vision is to work with Missouri’s first responders and businesses to provide a safer environment for Missouri citizens and visitors by minimizing the threat of death, injury, and property loss. Our mission is to provide proactive statutory enforcement, regulatory oversight, and education to protect all lives and property from the devastation of fires, explosions, and life‑safety perils.

We value responsibility, integrity, professionalism, fairness, and dedication. The Division of Fire Safety is looking for someone who shares these values to join our training and certification unit team.

The Certification Specialist for the Fire Service Training and Certifications Programs is a seasoned professional responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing firefighter and emergency responder training and certification programs. This position ensures all curricula and testing align with state, national, and professional standards, including those from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The Certification Specialist provides technical expertise to instructors and evaluators, manages program documentation and reporting, and helps maintain the organization’s accreditation.

Job Description

• Curriculum and program development: Assist and advise in the development and coordination of statewide firefighter and emergency responder training and certification programs. Ensure training curricula and materials meet or exceed NFPA standards.
• Training and certification coordination: Coordinate the preparation, review, and administration of course materials, exams, and skills evaluations. Manage the process for approving and assigning instructors and evaluators.
• Quality assurance: Oversee the integrity and reliability of certification exams and performance testing. Evaluate test items and assessment tools to ensure validity and accuracy.
• Instructor management and mentorship: Train, mentor, and supervise program instructors and evaluators, ensuring consistent and high‑quality course delivery. Conduct quality control audits of training sites, instructors, and exam evaluators.
• Technical expertise and guidance: Serve as a subject matter expert, providing technical guidance to fire service academies, colleges, and departments on training programs, certification processes, and testing methodologies.
• Regulatory compliance: Stay current on all relevant state and federal regulations, NFPA standards, and changes affecting firefighter training and certification. Implement changes to maintain compliance and accreditation.
• Administration and reporting: Manage and maintain extensive program records, including trainee files, course documentation, and certification status. Compile and submit all required reports to leadership and accrediting bodies.
• Stakeholder engagement: Act as a liaison and effectively communicate with internal staff and external stakeholders, including fire departments, academic institutions, and national fire service organizations. Represent the organization at meetings and conferences.
• Budget management: Assist with the development and oversight of program budgets related to training equipment, facilities, and personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited four‑year high school, or in lieu thereof, shall have obtained a certificate of equivalency from the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Five years of professional experience in the fire and emergency services, including documented experience in curriculum development and instruction.
• Accredited IFSAC and/or ProBoard Fire Service Instructor Level I certification.
• Must acquire Fire Service Instructor II within 12 months of employment.
• Accredited IFSAC and/or ProBoard Live Fire Instructor certification.
• Must acquire Live Fire Instructor‑in‑Charge within 12 months of employment.
• All other IFSAC and/or ProBoard accredited certifications as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, Business Management, or a related field. Significant, progressive experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Accredited IFSAC and/or ProBoard Fire Officer I (or higher).
• Chief Training Officer (CTO) credentials from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).
• FEMA National Fire Academy course completion in Fire and Emergency Services Training Program Management.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of all NFPA professional qualification standards, instructional methodologies, and curriculum development, leaning towards test item generation and validation.
• Demonstrated experience in program coordination and project management.
• Experience with the certification and accreditation processes of fire service programs.
• Superior written communication skills for developing curriculum, policies, and grant proposals.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills to effectively lead staff and communicate with stakeholders.
• Proficiency with learning management systems (LMS), testing software, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe products.
• The ability to work effectively in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Standard office environment combined with frequent fieldwork in classroom and hazardous training environments.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with potential exposure to inclement weather, intense noise, and other hazards associated with fire training.
• Extensive travel statewide, nationally, and internationally may be required to attend off‑site training, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
• May involve evening and weekend work to accommodate training schedules.

Additional Requirements

• Possess a valid Missouri driver’s license. (Class A CDL preferred).

The salary indicated represents a base pay rate. If the individual selected or the position is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., shift, security, or years of service), it will be added to the total compensation in your paycheck. A pay differential does not raise your base pay.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and other offerings to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you have questions about this position, please contact:

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