Adjunct Instructor - Fire Protection

Job Description Summary

Adjunct Instructors are responsible for the facilitation of student learning and the ongoing development and delivery of instructional strategies that promote student success.

The Adjunct Instructor - Fire Protection provides classroom, laboratory, and practical instruction in Fire Protection and related emergency services courses. The instructor facilitates student learning through classroom instruction, hands-on skills development, live-fire and practical training, simulation, assessment, and other instructional activities designed to prepare students for successful careers in the fire service.

Job Description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Learning Facilitation - Foster student learning by developing and utilizing appropriate instructional strategies to meet diverse student needs and support student engagement. Create learning experiences that integrate instructional technologies and multiple delivery methodologies, including in-person, hybrid, virtual, and online instruction, as appropriate.
• Fire Protection Instruction & Skills Development - Provide classroom, laboratory, simulation, live-fire, and practical instruction consistent with applicable Fire Protection curriculum, competencies, professional standards, and industry practices. Demonstrate and evaluate firefighting skills and provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, judgment, technical skills, and professional behaviors necessary for successful fire service careers.
• Assessment - Assess student learning and provide regular feedback to support student success. Utilize written examinations, practical skills evaluations, simulations, competency assessments, and other appropriate methods to evaluate student performance. Use assessment results and applicable data to identify opportunities for instructional and program improvement.
• Curriculum Development - Develop and continually revise curriculum and instructional materials that are competency-based, current, consistent with employer and industry expectations, and aligned with applicable College, state, certification, and professional requirements.
• Classroom & Training Environment Management - Fulfill assigned teaching schedules; maintain accurate student attendance, grades, skills documentation, and other required instructional records; and maintain classroom, laboratory, and training environments with an emphasis on safety, organization, housekeeping, equipment security, and student engagement. Ensure required course materials, PPE, tools, apparatus, and instructional resources are available and appropriately prepared for instruction.
• Training Safety - Promote and maintain a safe instructional environment during classroom, laboratory, practical, and live-fire training. Reinforce established safety procedures, properly utilize required PPE, monitor student activities, and ensure training exercises are conducted consistent with applicable College and fire service safety requirements.
• Team Participation - Support the College by engaging in applicable division, department, program, and team activities and meetings. Collaborate with fellow instructors and staff and remain current with internal and external changes, initiatives, regulations, certifications, and professional standards affecting Fire Protection education and the fire service.
• Business & Community Engagement - Build and maintain positive relationships with fire departments, emergency service agencies, employers, industry partners, and community stakeholders. Participate in applicable advisory committees, external meetings, outreach activities, recruitment efforts, and other activities that support the College and Fire Protection programming.
• Student Success & Support - Serve as an advocate for students and engage in activities that help students successfully complete their education and reach their professional goals. Provide appropriate academic, course, career, certification, and fire service-related guidance and connect students with College resources when appropriate.
• Professional Development - Continually improve knowledge and skills related to emerging trends, current fire service practices, instructional methodologies, technology, equipment, and applicable certification requirements. Maintain Faculty Quality Assurance System requirements and all licenses, certifications, and professional credentials required for assigned instruction and program compliance.

Non-Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following duties are not critical to the core purpose of the position but may occasionally be performed to support team, departmental, Training Center, or College operations. These duties are secondary or infrequent and provide flexibility for the role.

• Participate in applicable committees, program meetings, and team activities.
• Assist during peak instructional or program periods.
• Perform minor administrative tasks associated with instructional responsibilities.
• Demonstrate flexibility in teaching assignments, including potential instruction during daytime, evening, weekend, or summer hours and at off-campus locations as needed.
• Assist with routine inspection, cleaning, organization, and care of classroom, laboratory, firefighting, and training equipment to support safe and effective instructional use.
• Assist with setup and preparation of training grounds, props, equipment, apparatus, and other instructional resources as appropriate for assigned training activities.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating Fire Protection-related events, practical training activities, community education, recruitment efforts, or other program initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• Associate's Degree is required (Bachelor's Degree is preferred).
• Minimum of five (5) years of full-time occupational experience in the relevant field of instruction.
  • One year shall be within the past five (5) years.
  • One year (or 2,000 hours) may be waived for occupational instructors with at least two (2) years of post-secondary teaching experience in the appropriate occupational field within five (5) years prior to the date of appointment.

In evaluating candidates for this position, Fox Valley Technical College may consider an exception to the education and experience requirements in the event of emergency staffing situations, pending credentials, specialized expertise or renowned qualifications of candidate, emerging fields, or lack of candidate availability. Exceptions must be approved by the Vice President of Learning/Chief Academic Officer.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

• State of Wisconsin Firefighter I certification required.
• State of Wisconsin Fire Instructor II certification required upon hire or within the timeframe established by the College.
• Previous teaching or training experience with adult learners preferred.
• Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) preferred.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Subject to FVTC's Motor Vehicle Records Check.
• Proficiency utilizing learning management systems and applicable instructional technologies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively demonstrate, observe, evaluate, and provide feedback regarding firefighting skills and practical training activities.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing demands, assignments, training environments, and circumstances to meet student needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with students, employees, fire service agencies, industry partners, and other audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with fire departments and related emergency service agencies.
• Willingness to incorporate research-based instructional strategies and emerging technologies to support continuous improvement.
• Commitment to continuous improvement in instructional quality through innovative methodologies, techniques, technologies, and delivery methods.

Work Environment

• Work Location: Primarily in-person at Fox Valley Technical College's Public Safety Training Center and other approved instructional or training locations as assigned.
• Classroom & Training Grounds: Duties are performed in classrooms, laboratories, fire training grounds, and other practical training environments.
• Indoor & Outdoor Instruction: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in various weather and environmental conditions and may include daytime, nighttime, evening, or weekend hours.
• Live-Fire Training: Work may involve instruction and supervision during live-fire training exercises and other realistic firefighting scenarios requiring heightened situational awareness and strict adherence to established safety procedures.
• Training Conditions: Training may involve burn buildings, drafting ponds, gas fields and props, ARFF props, trenches, confined-space equipment, ladders, firefighting apparatus, emergency vehicles, hose lines, tools, and other fire service equipment.
• Personal Protective Equipment: Appropriate firefighter PPE and other safety equipment may be required based upon assigned instructional and training activities.
• Environmental Conditions: Work may involve exposure to heat, cold, smoke, water, noise, uneven terrain, heights, and other conditions associated with firefighting and emergency response training environments.
• Virtual Work: Some instructional preparation, meetings, documentation, or other activities may be completed in a hybrid or remote setting when appropriate.
• Travel: Position may require travel to off-site instructional locations, fire departments, training facilities, or professional development activities.
• Flexibility: The work environment and instructional assignment may change based upon College, program, certification, and student needs.

Work environment may change based upon college needs.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting: Ability to sit for periods of time while performing instructional preparation, documentation, computer-based tasks, classroom instruction, and other assigned responsibilities.
• Standing and Walking: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while providing classroom, laboratory, practical, and live-fire instruction.
• Mobility: Ability to move throughout classrooms, laboratories, fire training grounds, apparatus areas, and live-fire environments, including uneven outdoor surfaces and training areas.
• Firefighting Skills: Ability to demonstrate and evaluate firefighting techniques, equipment use, and other practical skills associated with assigned instruction.
• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift, carry, move, and assist with firefighting equipment, PPE, hose, tools, instructional equipment, and other materials consistent with the physical requirements established for the position. Assigned duties may require lifting and carrying items weighing approximately 50 to 100 pounds.
• Pushing and Pulling: Ability to push, pull, position, or otherwise manipulate firefighting and training equipment as necessary for assigned instructional activities.
• Climbing: Ability to climb stairs and ladders and access firefighting apparatus, training structures, or other instructional environments as required by assigned duties.
• Balance and Positioning: Ability to maintain balance and appropriately position oneself while demonstrating or supervising firefighting skills in classroom, training ground, or practical environments.
• Fine Motor Skills: Ability to perform precise hand movements and manual tasks associated with firefighting equipment, tools, instructional technology, and training activities.
• Repetitive Motions: Ability to perform repetitive motions associated with computer use, instructional demonstrations, equipment operation, and practical training activities.
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with students, employees, and other stakeholders in classroom and training environments, including during practical and live-fire exercises.
• Travel: Ability to travel to various FVTC facilities, fire departments, training sites, and other approved instructional locations as required.
• Driving: Valid driver's license and ability to operate a vehicle when required for assigned instructional responsibilities.
• Personal Protective Equipment: Ability to wear required firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment as necessary to safely perform assigned instructional duties.
• Equipment Setup: Ability to set up, move, organize, inspect, clean, and store firefighting equipment, tools, props, PPE, audiovisual equipment, and other instructional materials as necessary.

EOE/ADA Statement

Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FVTC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Nothing in this job description limits management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or affect the at-will nature of the employment arrangement between the employee and company and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Additional Information

Hourly pay rate: $45.00 per hour.

Pay is based on a multitude of factors, including experience, qualifications, education, relevant certifications, internal equity, and market data.

Thank you for your interest in Adjunct Faculty opportunities with Fox Valley Technical College. Upon successful submission of your application, cover letter, and resume, you will be considered for future adjunct faculty opportunities. FVTC will keep your application in our files as a POTENTIAL candidate who could possibly fill a position when or if the need arises. ONLY if the need shall arise, you will be contacted via the contact information provided on your application, otherwise, you will not receive any further contact from FVTC.

Adjunct instructors are hired on a per-course basis. The total hours for an adjunct instructor range from approximately 3 hours per week to no more than 8 hours per week. Hours vary and can include both day, evening, and weekend classes. Courses are taught in traditional classrooms and alternative delivery formats.

If you should have any questions regarding adjunct teaching opportunities for this position, please contact John Sorenson at john.sorenson4147@fvtc.edu.

At Fox Valley Technical College, we recognize employees as key contributors to our mission and are committed to fostering a culture of fairness, transparency, and excellence. Our total rewards philosophy ensures equitable compensation and benefits, supporting a highly engaged workforce. In this position you will automatically be enrolled in the FICA Alternative Retirement Plan which helps you start save for retirement. Work-life balance is supported through flexible schedules or remote work options (for some positions) and wellbeing programs. Professional development opportunities include training. Additional perks at the Appleton Main Campus include an onsite dental clinic, fitness center, Parent/Child Center (onsite child care), library, café, printing services, Trilogy Salon & Spa, and more.

Will accept applications on an ongoing basis.

Fox Valley Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including members of underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, females, veterans and individuals of all abilities. For questions regarding the College's nondiscrimination policy, contact: Rayon Brown - rayon.brown6751@fvtc.edu (Affirmative Action), TitleIX@fvtc.edu (sex-based discrimination or harassment), or Dan Squires - daniel.squires3328@fvtc.edu (Disability related discrimination).

To apply, please visit: https://fvtc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FVTC/job/Appleton-WI/Fire-Protection-Adjunct_JR2022-217

Fox Valley Technical College celebrates diversity, supports equity and inclusiveness, and encourages individual expression in our workplace.