York County is located in the Piedmont region, between the Broad River and the Catawba River. Its diverse landscape is home to family-friendly towns/cities, a progressive urban region and lakefront communities. We are excited that you want to join our team and recognize that our employees are the foundation for our success.

Mission Statement- York County provides quality public services in an open, efficient, and responsive manner.

Vision Statement - York County provides an environment where all citizens and businesses can thrive and succeed.

Core Values - Excellence through Professionalism

• Respect - respect builds bridges, not silos. How we live it? Golden rule - treat others as you want to be treated.
• Dedicated- strong work ethic. How we live it? Persistence, reliability and commitment to do your best.
• Integrity- do the right thing instead of what is convenient. How we live it? Displaying strong moral principles.
• Knowledgeable- ready and able. How we live it? Having the right competencies necessary for achievement.
• Friendly- service with a smile. How we live it? Being respectful, pleasant and helpful to ALL.

York County Fire Services is seeking a visionary, experienced leader to serve as its first full-time Fire Training & Safety Officer. This is a foundational position responsible for building and leading a countywide fire training and safety program that supports both volunteer and career fire departments. The successful candidate will bring a proven history of designing and implementing comprehensive training systems, fostering buy-in across diverse organizations, and elevating operational safety and readiness. This position requires a leader with the vision to see what the County’s fire service can become—and the drive to build it.

Our ideal candidate would possess the following:

• A visionary and program-builder, not just an instructor.
• Skilled in developing modern, comprehensive training systems.
• An effective communicator and collaborator with both volunteer and career departments.
• Experienced in leadership, mentorship, and performance-based training.
• Innovative, data-driven, and committed to continuous improvement in safety and readiness.

Compensation:
Full Salary Range/Pay Grade 117: $27.33 - $42.36 per hour. Salary is determined based on qualifications.


This position has been reposted and if you previously applied, you do not need to submit another application to be considered. This position will remain open until filled with applications being reviewed weekly.

Our Total Compensation Package:

• Compensation – competitive market-rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Expanded Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Development
  • Establish and lead York County’s first countywide Fire Training and Safety Program.
  • Develop a multi-year training master plan aligned with the County’s 10-Year Fire Framework and 3-Year Strategic Plan.
  • Build collaborative relationships with volunteer and career departments to ensure engagement and participation.
• Training Design & Implementation
  • Create and manage a structured, tiered training system for firefighter, officer, and specialty certifications.
  • Coordinate courses with the SC Fire Academy, IFSAC, and national partners.
  • Lead evaluation of training effectiveness and implement continuous improvement processes.
• Safety Leadership
  • Serve as the County’s lead Fire Safety Officer, developing and enforcing safety policies, procedures, and training while utilizing a County vehicle to administer training at various locations within the County.
  • Investigate line-of-duty injuries, near misses, and hazardous incidents; develop corrective actions and prevention strategies.
  • Foster a proactive, prevention-based safety culture throughout all fire operations.
• Strategic & Operational Support
  • Provide leadership input on strategic planning, operational performance, and readiness initiatives.
  • Integrate technology, simulation, and innovative learning methods into training delivery.
  • Respond to emergency incidents as Incident Safety Officer or as otherwise assigned.
  • Maintain accurate training and certification records in compliance with state and national standards.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Emergency Services, Public Safety or related discipline.
• Five (5) - Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in firefighting and training, including supervisory or program management experience, including at least three (3) years leading a training division, academy, or program.

Special Certifications and Licenses:
Required Certifications:

• Valid driver's license is required.
• IFSAC Firefighter II and Fire Officer II.
• NIMS/ICS: 100, 200, 700, 800, 300, 400.
• Fire Instructor II (minimum).
• Fire Department Safety Officer (or ability to obtain within 12 months).
• Emergency Medical Technician (SC or National Registry).

Preferred:

• Fire Instructor III.
• NFPA-compliant Health and Safety Officer.
• Fire Officer III or IV
• Training Program Manager certification or equivalent

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.
Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, climbing, stooping, lifting, and pushing.
• May require exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally and 20 to 50 pounds frequently.
• Must meet the physical and medical requirements for emergency response personnel.

Unavoidable Work Hazards (Work Environment):

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
  • Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
  • Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
  • Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
  • Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
  • Traffic; Moving machinery.
  • Electrical shock; Heights.
  • Radiation; Disease/pathogens.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance:
York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses:
May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.