Firefighter Training Program Manager

The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, a unit of Jayhawk Global, was created in 1949 by the Kansas legislature with the mission to train and credential Kansas firefighters in local jurisdictions. Housed on the Lawrence campus, the Institute serves fire departments and firefighters through a "traveling instruction service," providing hundreds of training and certification events each year in communities across the State of Kansas.

The mission of Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute is to provide accessible, innovative, and science and data-driven training and credentialing for fire and emergency services personnel to improve the health and safety of our communities.

Jayhawk Global is an education innovation center that advances and delivers non-traditional forms of learner engagement, including online degree programs, professional and workforce development, certifications, competency-based educational offerings, credit for prior experience, employee training, and enrichment learning. Jayhawk Global's mission is both internal, working collaboratively with all KU academic schools and departments, and external, serving all 105 Kansas counties, 50 U.S. states, and over 40 countries. The units in Jayhawk Global include: C3BE, Jayhawk Online & Jayhawk Flex, Extended Learning (including the Aerospace Short Course Program, Conferences & Non-Credit Courses, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, and the Center for Online & Distance Learning.

The Firefighter Training Program Manager reports to the Assistant Director and provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for designated fire service training programs at the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI). This position is responsible for managing assigned Firefighter Training programs, supervising part-time staff and coordinators, ensuring program accreditation and compliance, and collaborating with internal and external partners to deliver high-quality fire service education across the state. This portfolio includes Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations, Firefighter I & II, Apparatus Driver Operator Pumper/Aerial and Mobile Water Supply Operations.
KU offers great benefits to employees with 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. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details and additional KU Benefits information available at: Tuition Assistance | KU Benefits

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

60% Program-Specific Duties (Firefighter Training Program Manager)

• Manage and oversee the Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations programs ensuring course updates, delivery, and assisting with certification processes.
• Manage and oversee the Firefighter I and II programs ensuring course updates, delivery, and assisting with certification processes.
• Manage and oversee the Apparatus Driver Operator programs for Pumper and Aerial ensuring course updates, delivery, and assisting with certification processes.
• Manage and oversee the Mobile Water Supply Operations program ensuring course updates, delivery, and assisting with certification processes.
• Serve as primary point of contact for Kansas fire departments and private sector clients related to firefighter training.
• Maintain and update curriculum and certification processes based upon NFPA standards, industry best practices, and innovation.
• Oversee transportation duties, prop movement, repairs and driver assignments
• Oversee program budgets (Funds 307 and 700 for Firefighter Programs and Transportation).
• Supervise training program coordinators and part-time instructors, providing performance feedback and managing payroll/travel reimbursements.
• Collaborate with KFRTI leadership to identify firefighter training needs statewide and implement solutions.
• Conduct program assessments, revise courses, and design online/hybrid courses to meet evolving needs.
• Develop and deliver Train-the-Trainer courses to contract instructors and ensure adherence to KFRTI standards.
• Serve as lead instructor for selected multi-instructor events, overseeing costs, supervision, classroom and skills training, and equipment use.
• Represent KFRTI with fire service organizations and participate in professional development to maintain expertise.
• Provide project management and oversight of timelines, deliverables, and budget requirements for assigned projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of KFRTI's mission.

30% General Managerial Duties (Core Responsibilities for All KFRTI Managers)

• Provide leadership and management for multiple training programs.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate assigned coordinators and part-time staff.
• Manage payroll, travel, and administrative processes for assigned personnel.
• Oversee course scheduling, delivery logistics, and quality assurance.
• Oversee online and hybrid course development for assigned courses.
• Ensure compliance with KFRTI, University of Kansas, and accreditation standards.
• Develop, monitor, and manage budgets for assigned areas.
• Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Represent KFRTI at state, regional, and national meetings as assigned.
• Maintain positive partnerships with Kansas fire departments, instructors, and industry stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of KFRTI's mission.

10% Time Management & Role Expectations

• Expected to manage multiple concurrent projects and maintain strong organizational discipline.
• Provide course instruction within the area of responsibility when required.
• Maintain increased office presence to balance managerial duties with program oversight. Develop instructors to expand field delivery capacity, allowing greater focus on management and strategic planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director or Director to support the overall mission of KFRTI.

Additional Candidate Instructions

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

1. A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
2. Resume or curriculum vitae.
3. Contact information for three professional references.

Application review begins 11/17/2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Jennifer Johnson
jennjohnson@ku.edu
785-864-9194

75,000

Monday November 17, 2025

Monday December 1, 2025