Emergency Services Instructor III

Starting Compensation:

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

The fully qualified Emergency Services Instructor III is responsible for developing, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive fire service and public safety training programs. This role ensures that firefighters and emergency services personnel receive high-quality instruction in fire suppression, hazardous materials, rescue operations, and emergency medical response. The instructor will also maintain compliance with national, state, and local fire training standards, ensuring that all personnel are adequately prepared for emergency response situations. This role involves instructing first responders, emergency personnel, and community groups in various emergency management topics, including firefighting, rescue, emergency medical response, hazardous materials, search and rescue, and incident command systems (ICS).

The Emergency Services Instructor III also serves as a test proctor and evaluator for certification programs. The Emergency Services Instructor III will assist with the coordination of all logistics and maintenance of training equipment and props. All Emergency Services Instructors are expected to work uncommon schedules, including evening and weekend shifts, to support the needs of first responder agencies, and may be assigned off-site to attend training and certification programs related to their own professional development and credentialing. In addition, all Emergency Services Instructors may be assigned to assist with the support of training, education, and certification programs, conducted by part-time and contracted employees.

*** This position is also being posted as Emergency Services Instructor I and II. Candidates must submit a separate application for each posting separately and the applications will be evaluated based on Minimum Experience and Training Requirements.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Emergency Services Instructor III reports to the Fire Services Coordinator.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction & Training Delivery

• Conduct classroom and hands-on training sessions for emergency personnel and other stakeholders.
• Utilize a variety of instructional methods, including lectures, simulations, practical exercises, and e-learning.
• Ensure all training aligns with federal, state, and local emergency response standards and protocols.

Curriculum Development & Program Management

• Develop, update, and maintain instructional materials, lesson plans, and course content.
• Incorporate best practices, case studies, and real-world scenarios into training.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accreditation, licensing, and certification requirements.

Assessment & Evaluation

• Serves as a test proctor and evaluator for certification programs.
• Evaluate participant performance and provide constructive feedback.
• Conduct post-training assessments to measure knowledge retention and skill development.
• Gather feedback to enhance training effectiveness and curriculum relevance.

Emergency Preparedness & Coordination

• Collaborate with emergency response agencies, law enforcement, fire departments, healthcare providers, and government entities to ensure training needs are met.
• Assist in planning and executing emergency drills and exercises in support of first response agency(s) training.
• Stay current on emerging trends, policies, and technologies in fire, rescue, HAZMAT, EMS, emergency management and public safety training.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Deliver training to and interact with small and large groups (40 plus) without limitations to size.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities to strengthen preparedness (firefighting, EMS, HAZMAT, Rescue) initiatives.
• Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and training events related to fire, rescue, HAZMAT, EMS, and EMA training.
• Serve as a key member of the Lancaster County emergency operations center staff.

Administrative Duties:

• Responsible for the PEMA, PA DOH, and OSFC reporting requirements associated with classes.
• Manage budgets and resources related to training class(es), and exercise activities.
• Research and apply for grants to support training initiatives.
• Stay informed of emerging trends and technologies in fire, rescue, HAZMAT, EMS, EMA, training and exercise practices.
• Manage EMS, Fire, Rescue, HAZMAT certification and credentialing in appropriate records management system (RMS) and provide PEMA, PA DOH, OSFC reporting as required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREDÂ

• High School Diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred.  Â
• Current Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician Certification to maintain employment.
• Current, unrestricted Pennsylvania driver’s license class C.
  • Unrestricted commercial driver's license (CDL) preferred
• Nationally certified Firefighter II.
• Nationally certified Fire Instructor II.
• Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Suppression Instructor to maintain employment
• Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Certification Evaluator for Firefighter I (minimum)
• PA Dept. of Health and/or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician to maintain employment
• PA Dept. of Health EMS Instructor to maintain employment
  • Must become a certified CPR, First Aid, and Stop-the-Bleed instructor, within 2 years of hire date, to maintain employment
• Emergency vehicle operator’s course or equivalent
• Pump Operations 1 & 2, or NFPA 1002 Driver/Operator Pumper certification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of adult educational/instructional methodology.
• Knowledge of philosophy, principles, methods and practices in fire and emergency services.
• Knowledge of Lancaster County fire/rescue service.
• Self-motivated and work independently, or with minimal supervision/support.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, or equivalent.
• Effective communications skills in both written and spoken words.Â
• Strong initiative and organizational skills along with the ability to perform a variety of tasks and multitask.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to perform all physical tasks associated with fire suppression instructing, which can include, at times, hours of standing, walking, wearing structural PPE/SCBA for extended durations, demonstrating and performing fire ground related tasks, such as, but not limited to, lifting, carrying, and deploying ground ladders, deploying fire hose lines. lifting, dragging, rescuing victims, operating in confined spaces, low visibility environments, and all other physical functions associated with practical firefighting, rescue practices, and/or hazardous materials responses and instructions set forth in the associated NFPA standards.
• Ability to work 12 hour shifts and uncommon schedules (i.e., nights, weekends, holidays, etc.).
• Can participate in field operations and be capable of walking extended distances in less-than-ideal conditions (i.e. floods, mud, windstorm aftermath, snow, damage assessment).

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Â Read more about our benefits here .

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired. Â