Job details

Planning Section Chief

Get a free resume review

Job Description Summary

ORGANIZATION'S SUMMARY STATEMENT:

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as Section Chief of the Planning Section. This position holds the primary responsibility for leading the planning, research, development, instructional design, and delivery of high-quality emergency response courses, and implementation of cutting-edge educational technologies. This position will provide direct support to instructors to enhance understanding and practice of a variety of pedagogical approaches aimed at advancing student success and ensuring instructor excellence.

The Planning Section Chief is a member of the senior level management team who participates in development and implementation of various organizational action plans; participates in the goal development for the Planning Section and goal development for the institute; serves on or chairs a variety of committees designed to help the institute better serve its customers; provides members of the section with the materials, resources, supervision and guidance needed to produce quality products; and stays in touch with full time and part time faculty and staff to assure that all planning needs are met in a timely manner. The Section Chief works a schedule that includes assignments on nights and weekends.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor's degree required, preferably in education or instructional design or related discipline.

Experience:

Fire/emergency services experience

Experience as a Fire/Emergency Services Instructor or Instructor Trainer

Highly Skilled in the use of the Adobe Creative Suite, authoring software, preferably InDesign, Articulate 360, Project Management Software, Survey Monkey, Canvas LMS and EMS Testing, Jones and Bartlett Learning and Snag-It

Experience with Google Drive

Experience with Excel Sheets creating and using formulas.

Have an understanding of the ProBoard and IFSAC Certification requirements/processes

Three to five years of Senior Level management experience which includes managing personnel, project management, instructional design, learning management systems, curriculum development leading to licensure or certification, test development, and managing and developing relationships with internal and external customers as it relates to training needs, curriculum development, policies and regulations preferably in the area of emergency services.

Prior experience managing courses/programs, curriculum development, instructional technology, standards-mapping, and exam creation and validation.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of current trends in adult education, learning management systems, educational standards, test design and development, fire and emergency service educational standards.

Teaching or instructional design certification.
Knowledge of NFPA Codes and Standards as they relate to the course design and development.

Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed to support and evaluate PDI and Pilot
programs.

Certification, or ability to become certified as a State Emergency Services Instructor within 18 months.

Project Management, Human Resource Management, Instructional Systems Design, Test Development and Analysis.

Proficient with project management software and Microsoft productivity and office tools.

Must be able to supervise others.

Must be able to multitask and manage schedule and work with little supervision.

Must be a self-starter.

Physical Demands:

Ability to drive a state vehicle

Ability to lift packages and boxes

This position requires the ability and willingness to perform the essential roles and responsibilities of the job in a fire and ems training environment. Individuals must have the ability to work in an office setting located near a live fire training building which could periodically cause the smell of smoke throughout the building, dependent on weather conditions.

Preferences:

Master's Degree in Education or Instructional Design or related discipline
Previous experience working with Subject Matter Expert (SME) Teams
Experience leading emergency services organizations and/or training emergency service providers

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials: Resume, Cover Letter and Unofficial Transcripts

Best Consideration Date: N/A

Posting Close Date: 05/04/2025

Open Until Filled: No

Financial Disclosure Required

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department

PRES-MFRI-Administration

Worker Sub-Type

Faculty Regular

Salary Range

$96,000 - $141,000

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO/AA Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer; all qualified applicants, including veterans and people with disabilities, will receive consideration for employment. UMD is actively engaged in recruiting, hiring, and promoting underrepresented communities. Please read the entire University of Maryland Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement of Policy.

Women, Minorities, Disabled, Veterans, and LGBTQ+ Welcome!

Diversity Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

The University of Maryland (UMD) does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities. Specifically, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in UMD programs and activities, including with respect to admission and employment.

Resources

Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online

Search Firm Managed Recruitment

There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm.

Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities:

Search Firm Managed Vacancies

Average salary estimate

$118500 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$96000K

$141000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Planning Section Chief, UMD

At the University of Maryland College Park, we’re looking for a dynamic Planning Section Chief to join our senior management team. In this engaging role, you’ll be responsible for leading the planning, research, and development of high-quality emergency response courses that incorporate cutting-edge educational technologies. You’ll support instructors, enhancing their understanding of diverse pedagogical approaches that elevate student success and promote instructor excellence. As the Planning Section Chief, you will also participate in the creation and implementation of vital organization-wide action plans and collaborate with multiple committees to ensure we’re effectively meeting the needs of our stakeholders. You’ll have a chance to make a real difference by equipping our faculty with the resources they need to thrive. Working with part-time and full-time faculty, you’ll ensure that all planning aspects are executed promptly, often taking on weekend and evening responsibilities. Your expertise in fire and emergency services, coupled with strong project management skills, will be key in overseeing instructional design and curriculum development. If you have a passion for education and the drive to excel in high-stakes environments, this position offers you a fantastic opportunity to contribute and grow your career in emergency services education!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Planning Section Chief Role at UMD

What are the main responsibilities of the Planning Section Chief at the University of Maryland College Park?

The Planning Section Chief at the University of Maryland College Park is responsible for leading the planning, research, and instructional design of emergency response courses. This includes supervising course development, enhancing instructor capabilities through support and resources, and participating in senior management activities to align educational initiatives with organizational goals.