Director of Technical Training – Fire Protection

Guardian Fire Protection Services, LLC; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with match

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Short/Long term disability

Life/AD&D insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Pre-tax accounts

Job summary

Guardian Fire Protection Services, LLC in Rockville, MD seeks a Director of Technical Training – Fire Protection to lead the development and delivery of advanced training for fire protection technicians across our service footprint. This role ensures technical excellence, safety, NFPA compliance, and operational performance through structured curricula and hands-on labs.

The person will drive certification pathways (NICET, licenses, manufacturer certifications) and oversee a robust audit-ready

Qualifications

• Degree in fire protection engineering or related fire safety degree, plus NICET certifications
• 5+ years in training, learning & development, or workforce development
• Proven experience training, mentoring, or developing field technicians
• Strong knowledge of NFPA codes and standards (NFPA 1, 17/17A, 25, 72, 2001)
• Experience supporting technical or field-based workforces
• Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple programs and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a comprehensive training strategy aligned with competency, safety, customer service, and regulatory requirements
• Design and manage technical training programs covering fire alarm, water-based fire protection, wet chemical, dry chemical, clean agent suppression systems, extinguishers
• Establish standardized onboarding and role-based training curricula for field and office personnel
• Ensure training content is current and compliant with codes, technologies, and company standards
• Oversee training for regulatory compliance including NFPA standards and AHJ requirements
• Manage certification and credential tracking (NICET, licensing, manufacturer certifications, safety training)
• Create an audit readiness program through training records and documentation
• Support NICET certification paths; prepare technicians for exams through study sessions
• Conduct field audits to verify compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with engineering, compliance, and operations leadership for continuous improvement
• Deliver instructor-led, virtual, and blended learning programs (~50% travel)
• Coordinate technical labs, field training, and hands-on instruction
• Select and manage learning platforms (LMS) and training vendors
• Support train-the-trainer programs and leverage team expertise across the organization
• Partner with HR and leadership to support leadership development and supervisor training
• Build career development pathways for technicians, inspectors, and emerging leaders
• Support succession planning through targeted development initiatives
• Promote continuous learning and skills development across the organization
• Assist with onboarding and training for newly acquired companies
• Track training participation, completion, certification status, and effectiveness; measure impact
• Continuously improve programs based on data and feedback
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting

Skills

Training program design

NFPA knowledge

Facilitation & coaching

Regulatory compliance

Cross‑functional collaboration

Education

Degree in fire protection engineering

NICET certifications

Tools

LMS management

Job description

Director of Technical Training – Fire Protection

About the Company

Guardian Fire Protection Services, LLC is a leading provider of fire protection, life safety, and security solutions, proudly serving the Mid‑Atlantic, Midwest, and Southeast regions for more than 45 years. Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, Guardian operates 25 offices across 8 states and supports more than 90,000 customers across a wide range of industries. Guardian delivers comprehensive, end-to-end service across the fire, life safety and security industries. Our capabilities include fire sprinklers, fire alarms and monitoring, fire pumps, extinguishers, special hazards systems, marine fire protection, and integrated security solutions that include access control systems and CCTV. Our continued growth is fueled by deep technical expertise, trusted customer relationships, strong business performance, and a disciplined acquisition strategy that ensures consistent quality and service across all locations.

Our People & Culture

At Guardian and our affiliated companies, our people are the foundation of our success. We're committed to hiring and developing talented, passionate professionals who share our mission to protect lives and property. As we continue to grow, we offer meaningful career opportunities within a dynamic organization focusing on customer service, technical expertise, collaboration and long‑term success.

Learn more at www.GuardianFireProtection.com

Job Summary:

The Director of Technical Training – Fire Protection is responsible for creating, facilitating, and managing training of fire protection technicians that specialize in various disciplines across the organization. Training is to include technical excellence, safety, NFPA compliance, and operational performance. This role ensures employees particularly technicians and field leaders are properly trained, certified, and developed to meet the requirements of the fire protection and life safety industry.

Key Responsibilities:

Training Program Development

• Develop and lead a comprehensive training strategy aligned with competency, safety, customer service, and regulatory requirements
• Design and manage technical training programs covering fire alarm, water-based fire protection, wet chemical, dry chemical, clean agent suppression systems, extinguishers.
• Establish standardized onboarding and role‑based training curricula for field and office personnel.
• Ensure training content is kept current and complies with current codes, technologies, and company standards.

Implementation

• Oversee training program related to regulatory compliance, including NFPA standards, AHJ requirements, and company policies
• Manage certification and credential tracking, including NICET, licensing, manufacturer certifications, and safety training
• Create a regimented audit readiness program through accurate training records and documentation
• Support NICET certification paths; prepare technicians for exams through study sessions and guided practice.
• Conduct field audits to verify compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering, compliance, and operations leadership to drive continuous improvement.

Delivery, Facilitation & Learning Methods

• Deliver instructor‑led, virtual, and blended learning programs across all companies (~50% travel)
• Coordinate technical labs, field training, and hands‑on instruction
• Select and manage learning platforms (LMS) and training vendors
• Support train‑the‑trainer programs and leverage team expertise across the organization

Workforce Development & Leadership Training

• Partner with HR and leadership to support leadership development and supervisor training programs
• Build career development pathways for technicians, inspectors, and emerging leaders
• Support succession planning through targeted development initiatives
• Promote continuous learning and skills development across the organization

Measurement, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Assist with onboarding and training for newly acquired companies
• Track training participation, completion, certification status, and effectivenessMeasure training impact on safety, quality, productivity, and retention
• Continuously improve programs based on performance data, feedback, and evolving industry needs
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting

Core Qualifications:

• Degree (associates/ bachelor) in fire protection engineering or associated fire safety degree (or equivalent experience and NICET certifications)
• 5+ years of experience in training, learning & development, or workforce development
• Proven experience training, mentoring, or developing field technicians.
• Strong knowledge of NFPA codes and standards (e.g., NFPA 1, 17/17A, 25, 72, 2001).
• Experience supporting technical or field‑based workforces
• Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple programs and stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of NFPA standards, and technician certification pathways
• NICET certification or experience managing NICET programs
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
• Familiarity with high‑growth organizations

Compensation

• Salaried Position: Salary is dependent on candidate's experience
• Quarterly bonus opportunities

Benefits

• 401K with a company match
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Company paid Short Term Disability
• Company paid Long Term Disability
• Company paid Life and AD&D insurance
• Pre‑tax accounts for health and dependent care
• Aflac
• Vacation and Personal time
• Paid holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement

Guardian Fire Protection Services is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because he or she is an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

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