Hazardous Materials​/Technical Rescue Program Coordinator

Position Overview

The Hazardous Materials / Technical Rescue Coordinator reports to the Manager of Special Operations and provides coordination, instructional support, and program oversight for designated hazardous materials and technical rescue training programs at the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI). The role coordinates course requests, schedules training deliveries, supports instructors, updates curriculum, and assists with course development and revision to ensure high‑quality education is delivered across Kansas.

The coordinator also oversees testing for the Hazardous Materials Technician program, ensuring program content, delivery, and testing processes remain current and compliant with accreditation requirements.

The coordinator serves as a key point of contact for Kansas fire departments, instructors, and stakeholders. Working closely with KFRTI managers, coordinators, instructors, and logistics personnel, the coordinator ensures efficient course delivery, sound resource use, proper equipment readiness, and adherence to Institute standards. In addition to hazardous materials technician responsibilities, the coordinator assists the Manager of Special Operations in other specialized rescue program areas through course instruction, evaluation, logistics, scheduling, and equipment maintenance.

The position operates in a hybrid capacity, combining remote work assignments, travel to course delivery locations, and frequent work at the KFRTI office on the Lawrence campus to support testing coordination, equipment readiness, logistics, and program oversight.

The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute is a unit of KU Jayhawk Global, housed on the Lawrence campus. It was created by the Kansas legislature to train Kansas firefighters in 1949 and serves fire departments through a “traveling instruction service” that provides 500 training events per year, potentially reaching every community and county in Kansas.

The mission of the Institute is to provide accessible, comprehensive training and credentialing for fire and emergency response personnel to promote health and safety in Kansas communities.

KU offers employees benefits including up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors.

Program‑Specific Duties (60%)

• Accept and coordinate training requests from Kansas fire departments and private sector clients related to hazardous materials and technical rescue training programs.
• Coordinate training dates, locations, and delivery details with host departments, fire service personnel, and other clients.
• Coordinate the use of contract instructors for course deliveries with Manager and Assistant Director approval.
• Select the most appropriate use of personnel, equipment, and other resources while managing costs effectively.
• Identify, select, train, coordinate, and authorize pay and travel reimbursement for part‑time instructors within assigned training programs.
• Coordinate props, equipment delivery, maintenance needs, and logistics support with the Logistics Program Manager and the Manager of Special Operations.
• Coordinate and oversee testing for the Hazardous Materials Technician program, including scheduling, test administration support, documentation, quality control, and compliance with accreditation requirements.
• Assist in maintaining program documentation, course materials, skill sheets, testing records, and related processes to support accreditation and certification requirements.
• Review and update hazardous materials technician program content, testing processes, and instructional materials to ensure alignment with current standards, accreditation requirements, and industry best practices.
• Identify courses requiring direct instructional support from KFRTI full‑time staff.
• Serve as lead instructor for selected hazardous materials and technical rescue training events and provide direct oversight of part‑time instructors when…