FIRE CERTIFICATION SPECIALIST II - Cook County

Position Marketing Statement

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is accepting applications to fill the position of Fire Certification Specialist II within the Division of Personnel Standards and Education.  The ideal candidate has an extensive background in the fire service industry and has experience in the training and educating of fire service personnel.  The successful candidate will work with fire departments to review all training records related to the delivery of OSFM-approved certification courses, ensuring accuracy and appropriateness.  We are seeking an applicant with prior experience organizing and maintaining a comprehensive records management system who possesses the ability to successfully communicate both orally and in written form.  The desirable candidate understands and demonstrates the ability to interact with the fire service and the general public in a positive and professional manner, the selected candidate will have access to state healthcare, benefits, and a pension plan.  We invite all qualified applicants to apply to join the OSFM team.

Essential Functions

• Reviews practical (skill) objectives of certification programs, training records, claims for reimbursement, course approvals, site approvals, and all safety aspects of fire jurisdictions to ensure compliance with the established administrative rules, policies, and procedures of the OSFM Division of Personnel Standards and Education programs.


• Conducts fire department visitations to instruct local fire department personnel in training record compliance.


• Serves as a resource person by responding to inquiries regarding the certification program.


• Speaks to governmental and fire service entities to promote Division certification and Fire Service Outreach programs.


• Conducts course approval reviews for compliance of training facility developed certification programs.


• Maintains record of time sheets and activities relative to training and certification programs.


• Assists and trains lower-level Fire Certification Specialists to perform practical examination reviews.


• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.


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Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of two (2) years of college with primary concentration in fire science, business or public administration, or a program emphasizing firefighting response, fire prevention, fire administration, or emergency medical services management.


• Requires OSFM Fire Officer II or Advanced Fire Officer certification.


• Requires OSFM Fire Service Instructor II certification.


• Requires five (5) years of documented fire service experience as a firefighter in a fire department.


• Requires four (4) years of experience in a training environment instructing and developing training programs.


• Successful applicants must obtain OSFM Training Program Manager certification within twelve (12) months of hire.  Failure to obtain such certification within the allotted timeframe is grounds for dismissal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers current OSFM Fire Service Instructor III certification.


• Prefers current OSFM Training Program Manager certification.


• Prefers four (4) years of experience operating Fire Service Record Management software.


• Prefers current or equivalent OSFM Youth Firesetting Intervention Specialist certification.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid & current driver’s license.


• Requires the ability to pass a background check with self-disclosure of criminal history.


• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.


• Requires the ability to pass drug screening.


• This position is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)).   Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.


• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.


• Requires candidate to be a resident of the position county or a contingent county within six (6) months of employment.


• Requires ability to satisfy all continuing education or recertification requirements mandated by statute, rule, or the OSFM.


• Overtime is a condition of employment and you may be requested to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.


• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.