PROGRAM MANAGER | (KSC), MERRITT ISLAND FL

Paylocity; Merritt Island, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Vision Quest Solutions is seeking a Program Manager to lead NASA Fire Services at Kennedy Space Center. This full-time, onsite role oversees day-to-day operations across the program and serves as the primary interface with NASA, guiding technical, safety, training, and business functions.

The position requires a fire service leadership background, relevant certifications, and the ability to maintain readiness and compliance while coordinating with Site Managers and subcontractors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field required.
• Minimum 5 years as a Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief leading at least 20 personnel.
• NASA security, background, medical and physical requirements must be met.
• Qualifying certifications may include DoD, Pro Board or state boards.
• Onsite leadership role at Kennedy Space Center; must be geographically present.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of NASA fire services operations
• Oversee technical, operational, administrative, safety, quality, training, and business functions
• Coordinate fire services performance across NASA locations
• Oversee Site Managers and subcontractor performance
• Searve as the primary management interface with NASA
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, policies, and reporting
• Maintain operational readiness and program performance
• Support emergency response, continuity, and surge requirements
• Maintain 24/7 availability by phone for program leadership

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Contract management

Emergency response

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field

Firefighter II certification

Fire Officer IV certification

Fire Inspector I certification

Fire Instructor I certification

ICS-100/200/300/400

IS-700/IS-800

Hazardous Materials Awareness

Technical Rescue Awareness

Operational specialty: Operations, Safety, Training, Fire Prevention, or EMS

Job description

Job Title

Program Manager – NASA Fire Services

Position Overview

Vision Quest Solutions is seeking an experienced Program Manager to support NASA Fire Services at Kennedy Space Center.

The Program Manager will serve as the full‑time, onsite leader responsible for the overall management and day-to-day operation of fire services across the program. This position serves as the primary management interface with NASA and provides leadership across operational, technical, administrative, safety, quality, training, and business functions.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of NASA fire services operations
• Oversee technical, operational, administrative, safety, quality, training, and business functions
• Coordinate fire services performance across participating NASA locations
• Oversee Site Managers and subcontractor performance
• Serve as the primary management interface with NASA
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements, policies, procedures, and reporting requirements
• Maintain operational readiness and program performance
• Participate in required program management meetings and reviewsSupport emergency response, continuity, and surge requirements
• Maintain 24/7 availability by phone as required for program leadership

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief managing at least 20 firefighting personnel
• Bachelor’s degree may be substituted with an additional 5 years of qualifying Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief experience
• Firefighter II certification
• Fire Officer IV certification
• Fire Inspector I certification
• Fire Instructor I certification
• ICS-100, ICs-200, ICs-300 and ICs-400
• IS-700 and IS-800
• Hazardous Materials Awareness
• Technical Rescue Awareness
• Must meet the requirements of at least one applicable operational specialty area, including Operations, Safety, Training, Fire Prevention, or EMS
• Must meet applicable NASA security, background, medical, and physical requirements

Certification Requirements

Qualifying certifications may include Department of Defense (DoD), Pro Board, state certification boards, or equivalent certifications accepted by NASA.

Additional Information

This is a full‑time, onsite leadership position at Kennedy Space Center.

The Program Manager must be physically/geographically present at Kennedy Space Center and may not simultaneously serve as a Site Manager.

Candidates should submit a current resume and applicable certifications for consideration.