Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) District announces an exciting professional opportunity to manage California’s growing need for firefighters, forestry professionals, and other first responders as the new Director of Forestry, Fire and Public Safety. This position will support LTCC in increasing the number of students and certificates and degrees earned served in forestry, fire and public safety training programs and ensuring graduates obtain jobs in high-demand fields in the Tahoe Basin, California and across the country.

The Director of Forestry, Fire and Public Safety position is categorically-funded pursuant to Education Code 87470 and will collaborate with the Dean of Workforce Development and Instruction to identify and secure highly-qualified Public Safety program faculty and instructional aides, and coordinate Forestry Education programming. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for the coordination of all administrative aspects of Fire Science, Fire Academy, Allied Health/Emergency Medical Services, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Officer training, and assist with Wilderness Education/Search and Rescue programs – including securing and managing equipment and training spaces, and managing grant funds related to programs.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
After review, suitable applicants will be invited by phone or email on or around Friday, January 27, 2023 to participate in a skills assessment. Successful candidates will then be interviewed by a screening committee; these interviews are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. LTCC reserves the right to return to the applicant pool at any point during the recruitment process.

COMPENSATION:
Salary Range: LTCC offers a competitive compensation package that includes a starting placement salary of $75,144 to $82,946 annually, dependent on education and experience. There is potential to reach $96,136 annually, through step advancement plus longevity when appropriate (see current salary schedule). In addition to base salary, this position qualifies for extra bilingual (Spanish), masters or doctorate pay.

Benefits: Health and Welfare benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability. Several plan options maintain a zero monthly premium cost from the employee and include full coverage of a gold-level medical plan that, on average, covers 80% of healthcare expenses for a standard population. LTCC also matches 25.37% of an eligible employee’s salary and contributes it into a CalPERS pension account for qualifying employees.

Work-Life Balance: This is an exempt position with expectation of 40 hours per week or greater and 12 months per year, including some night and weekend requirements. It is understood that the demands of the Director of Forestry, Fire and Public Safety position will often require more than eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours per workweek. This position may qualify for the telecommute pilot program, which allows employees the opportunity to telecommute for up to 20% of the work week.

LTCC provides a generous leave package including 16 paid holidays per year plus 12 days vacation (with the potential to reach 24 days through years of service) and 12 days sick leave per year. Furthermore, LTCC has made a commitment to full closures during holiday breaks and several weekends adjoining holidays to provide employees the ability to take advantage of holiday and vacation usage.

LTCC’s Commitment to Diversity
Our ideal candidate will share and participate in LTCC’s commitment to the values of diversity and equity while serving its ethnically and socioeconomically diverse student population. Lake Tahoe Community College is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, reflecting the surrounding California and Nevada area.

Definition:
Under the direction of the Dean of Workforce Development and Instruction, the director will coordinate all administrative aspects of Forestry Education, Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, Criminal Justice, Wilderness Education/Search and Rescue, and other public safety related programs.

Representative Duties:
Coordinate with External Partners and Oversight Agencies
Engage with external stakeholders including industry experts, public and private employers, and community partners.

Work with external accrediting agencies (California State Fire Training, El Dorado County Emergency Medical Services, etc.) to ensure academic programs receive programmatic accreditation that ensures graduates meet employer needs and expectations.

Assist with the creation of materials (print and media) and work with outside agencies and stakeholders to support and promote programs.

Provide Program Oversight and Management
Collaborate with the Dean of Workforce Development and Instruction to identify and secure highly qualified program faculty.

Manage grant funds related to forestry, fire and public safety, including from CAL FIRE, California Tahoe Conservancy, Good Jobs Challenge, Tahoe Fund and Tahoe-Truckee Community Foundation, among others.

Coordinate with program faculty to ensure access to facilities required for training programs and collaborate on the establishment of the Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Center.

Oversee and act as the Program Director for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program.

Obtain and maintain equipment, apparatus, and supplies necessary for program academic needs.

Provide information and assistance to faculty, administrators, staff, students and others regarding program development progress and engagement.

Identify existing datasets to use to report metrics related to program successes. Establish regular reporting systems and records.

Train, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions.

Communicate with administrators, faculty, students, and staff to coordinate activities and programs; resolve issues and conflicts to achieve positive solutions and student outcomes.

Attend and conduct a variety of meetings and presentations as assigned; serve on committees and attend trainings and conferences related to assigned activities.

Coordinate with consultants and on-campus external affairs and communications staff to market the programs.

Engage and Support Students
Conduct student outreach activities for programs, respond to student inquiries, establish and conduct student orientations, connect students to an array of support services including financial aid, counseling, basic needs, mental health, housing and other services.

Be a point of contact for students interested in pursuing programs, courses and degrees and the general public. Coordinate with employer partners to provide students with opportunities for internships and job placement.

Coordinate with the LTCC Rising Scholars Program to support formerly incarcerated students in transitioning into career education programs, and specifically with supporting former CDCR Fire Camp inmates in obtaining education (including credit for prior learning) and certifications necessary to work in fire and forestry related fields.

Other Duties:
Perform related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years increasingly responsible experience or any satisfactory combination of experience and training, which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above duties. Experience managing projects with multiple components and entities.

Knowledge of:

Ability to:

Additional Requirement (Licensure/Certification):

Working Environment: