Certification Program Specialist - Firefighter Training & Certification

Job Summary – Why You’ll Love This Position

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.

• 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…