Director, Massachusetts Firefighting Academy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Stow (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Massachusetts Department of Fire Services seeks an experienced leader to serve as Director of the Firefighting Academy. This role oversees a complex organization with 16 full-time staff and 400+ part-time instructors delivering recruit training, officer development, and statewide certification across multiple campuses.

The Director partners with agency leadership, Fire Training Council, and state partners to set annual goals, guide policy, and ensure high-quality, mission-critical training for

Qualifications

• Executive-level leadership experience in education, training, or public safety.
• Ability to set strategy, manage budgets, and guide program development.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee educational operations, curricula, and statewide training programs.
• Manage budgets, revenue sources, and grant administration.
• Lead capital planning and campus development efforts, including new sites.
• Provide guidance to educators, staff, and subject matter experts to ensure quality training.

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Graduate degree in related field

Doctorate degree in related field

Job description

The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) invites experienced, mission-driven leaders to apply for the position of Director of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA). This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the nation's most respected fire training institutions, serving more than 14,000 firefighters each year at three campuses and shaping the future of the fire service across the Commonwealth.

As Director, you will oversee a dynamic training organization that includes 16 full-time staff and more than 400 part-time instructors who deliver programs spanning recruit firefighter training, officer development, specialized technical training, and statewide certification. The Academy Director is not an instructor role; instead, it is a strategic leadership position responsible for guiding professional educators, operational staff, and subject matter experts as they deliver high-quality, modern, and mission-critical training. You will set the tone for collaboration, innovation, and excellence in an environment where your decisions directly influence firefighter preparedness and public safety statewide.

This is a prominent leadership role within DFS. You will work closely with agency leadership to establish annual goals and objectives, support statewide training initiatives, and contribute to agency-wide planning, policy development, and risk management. The Director engages routinely with fire service leaders, the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, legislators, state and national training partners, and a broad range of agencies and organizations. A successful Director understands the culture of the fire service, values the expertise of instructors and coordinators, and is skilled at building trust, consensus, and shared purpose.

Key responsibilities include managing complex educational operations, overseeing budgets and revenue sources, developing and administering grants, supporting curriculum development, strengthening statewide training delivery, and helping shape long-term capital planning, including the development of a new and growing campus in southeastern Massachusetts and partnerships with local training facilities. The Director must be a strong communicator, a skilled administrator, and a forward-thinking leader capable of anticipating training needs and fostering a goal-oriented, inclusive, and innovative environment.

Candidates should bring executive-level management experience in education, training, public safety, or a related field; deep familiarity with organizational leadership and staff development; and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders. Exceptional written and oral communication skills and a commitment to public service are essential. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

This is an exceptional leadership role for a professional who is ready to advance the mission of fire service training in Massachusetts and ensure that firefighters across the Commonwealth have the skills, knowledge, and support they need to protect their communities.

The primary work location for this role will be at the DFS Stow MA campus. Where appropriate, DFS offers a hybrid work model, consisting of in-office and telework to further enhance the work/life balance of its employees. The successful candidate would be required to work primarily on site during initial training and orientation period before telework may be offered and/or for certain positions, telework may not be appropriate.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved