Aspen Fire Protection District

Position: Division Chief of Training / Human Performance and Optimization

Staff Member Type: Administration

Reports To: Deputy Chief

Department: Training / Human Performance & Optimization

FLSA Status: Full-Time; Exempt

Supervisory: Yes

GENERAL STATEMENT:

The Division Chief of Training / Human Performance & Optimization (HPO) is a command-level officer responsible for the leadership, administration, and strategic development of all training, wellness, and professional development programs for the Aspen Fire Protection District (AFPD). This position serves as the architect and champion of the District's Human Performance & Optimization model — a people-first framework that integrates tactical proficiency, physical readiness, cognitive performance, emotional resilience, and leadership development into one cohesive readiness strategy.

Under the direction of the Deputy Chief, the Division Chief of Training / HPO ensures that all District personnel are prepared to meet or exceed applicable federal, state, and NFPA standards, while advancing the District's strategic goal of achieving and maintaining an ISO Public Protection Classification rating of 2/9. The position requires the ability to function as both an administrative leader and an operational officer, including participation in emergency response and incident command as required.

The Division Chief of Training / HPO serves as a member of the District's leadership team and plays a critical role in workforce readiness, safety, and organizational culture. This position provides direct oversight of three functional branches:

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• All Hazard Technical Skills
• Job Performance Related Skills Evolutions and Education

WELLNESS & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

• Human Performance
• Physical Readiness, Emotional Resilience, Peer Support Oversight

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

• Higher Learning
• Education Pathways for All Members (Operations and Admin)

The Division Chief is a full-time administrative position. The Fire Chief reserves the right to reassign any Division Chief to another division or to change the organizational structure based on the needs of the District.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

The Division Chief of Training / HPO directly or indirectly supervises the Training Lieutenant, Human Performance Specialist, instructors, and all assigned HPO Division personnel, as well as others as may be appropriate and assigned by the CEO/Fire Chief.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following statements are illustrative of the duties and essential functions of the position and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The District reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this position at any time.

Leadership and Management

• Provides multidirectional organizational leadership to foster continuous development and professional growth throughout the organization.
• Lives and models the Aspen Fire culture and organizational values; creates a welcoming culture of inclusivity, accountability, candor, and transparency; builds and strengthens relationships with all members of the organization.
• Coordinates all operations of the HPO Division Branches; establishes goals and objectives; and implements short- and long-range plans that achieve maximum, positive impact on professional development and performance optimization to support AFPD's primary value: our people.
• Provides leadership and commitment to excellence by inspiring, empowering, and motivating personnel; participates in the selection and training of members; evaluates performance; provides coaching and mentoring; and takes corrective measures, including disciplinary actions, as necessary.
• Provides management, supervision, and coordination of HPO Division personnel, including scheduling and assigning work; allocates resources; assists in the coordination of contracted personnel (instructors, vendors, specialists, etc.).
• Works in coordination with the Deputy Chiefs to develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures related to member performance and professional development; recommends and implements changes to improve efficiency and operational effectiveness.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources; initiates, coordinates, and enforces systems, policies, and procedures.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates work activities; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; assesses and monitors workload; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Explains, advocates for, and defends programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Maintains a safe and healthy working environment by establishing and enforcing safe work practices consistent with AFPD organizational values and applicable legal requirements.

Operational

• Performs oversight, control, and monitoring of the HPO Division budget; reviews and approves purchases, monitors resources, and ensures budgetary compliance throughout the fiscal year.
• Represents AFPD to outside agencies, regional fire departments, and community organizations; builds and maintains effective communication and working relationships with external partners.
• Serves as AFPD’s representative to the Regional Training Consortium, a collaborative body of training chiefs from fire agencies across the Western Slope; actively participates in consortium meetings, planning sessions, and decision-making processes that shape regional training offerings in fire suppression, EMS, rescue, and leadership development; provides insight, leadership, and feedback that advances the interests of Aspen Fire and its partner agencies; supports the cost-sharing mission of the consortium to expand training access and reduce financial burden on individual districts throughout the Roaring Fork Valley region.
• Assists the Deputy Chiefs in long-range planning pertaining to the HPO Division and coordinates with the Fire Chief and Board of Directors on budgetary and strategic planning needs.
• Works closely with the Deputy Chiefs, Financial Manager, and other organizational personnel to communicate and coordinate service delivery and share resources as needed.
• Prepares written and verbal reports for the Deputy Chiefs and others regarding HPO operational and administrative issues; ensures policies and procedures pertaining to HPO are enforced throughout the organization.
• Develops and implements a strategy for marketing and communicating the services provided by the HPO Division across the organization and to external stakeholders.
• Develops and monitors metrics and continuous improvement plans for assigned branches; tracks and reports on measurable performance outcomes to justify program scaling and resource allocation.
• Responds to emergency incidents as required and functions within the Incident Command System; may serve as Incident Commander or Command Staff Officer when assigned.
• Ensures training facilities, apparatus, equipment, and props are maintained in safe operating condition; participates in pre-planning, special operations training, and operational readiness initiatives.

Training

• Develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates all District training programs, curricula, and schedules; ensures training is accomplished in a timely, cost-effective, and safe manner.
• Ensures training programs align with NFPA standards, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) requirements, District policies, and ISO Public Protection Classification benchmarks required to achieve the District's target rating of 2/9.
• Develops and maintains an ISO roadmap and training documentation framework; ensures standardized competency tracking across all ranks and classifications, including career, volunteer, and civilian members.
• Develops training programs using accepted instructional design models and adult learning principles; develops material with an appropriate adult learner approach that addresses different learning styles using a combination of multimedia, lectures, and practical drills; develops meaningful and validated testing criteria to ensure assimilation of training.
• Implements instructor development programs to improve incumbent instructor skills and to recruit and train new instructors; utilizes specialty instructors when topics demand a high level of expertise.
• Oversees the Training Lieutenant in the development of lesson plans, training evolutions, documentation, and competency tracking; ensures training schedules maximize volunteer engagement through flexible delivery including evening and weekend drills.
• Facilitates multi-company drills, officer development simulations, acting officer preparation, and integrated volunteer training to ensure high performance across all teams.
• Promotes and manages training facilities; maximizes utilization of facilities; takes an active role in hosting recognized national and local speakers; utilizes other departments' participation to defray the cost of training events.
• Facilitates accreditation processes for applicable programs via the Community College system or applicable certification bodies.
• Monitors changes in IFSAC, ProBoard, NWCG, Colorado DFPC, and other certification bodies; maintains currency with evolving standards and regulatory requirements.
• Establishes performance standards and ensures timely achievement of training and certification requirements; conducts continual assessment of training effectiveness through drills, critiques, evaluations, and after-action reviews.
• Participates in local and regional training associations, committees, and councils; coordinates training opportunities with regional fire departments, academies, and professional organizations.
• Champions regional collaboration as a core organizational objective; recognizes that the long-term success of Aspen Fire and all fire agencies in and around the Roaring Fork Valley depends on strong interagency relationships; leverages consortium membership to identify joint training opportunities, share instructional resources, coordinate specialty training, and build mutual aid capacity across the region.

• Supports and participates in a culture of fitness and wellness by taking personal initiative to maintain physical fitness and overall wellness appropriate to the demands of the position.

Wellness and Human Performance

• Oversees the functions of the Wellness and Human Performance Branch; establishes goals and objectives consistent with the District's mission, strategic plan, and HPO model; aligns wellness needs of the organization with training and professional development needs.
• Provides leadership and guidance for the Human Performance Specialist; collaborates regarding best practices pertaining to member physical readiness, injury prevention, nutritional support, emotional resilience, and cognitive performance under stress.
• Oversees implementation of structured strength and conditioning programs, baseline physical performance assessments, injury prevention strategies, sleep hygiene education, and fatigue management programming designed to reduce injury rates and improve long-term workforce durability.
• Provides formal oversight of the Peer Support Team; establishes clear reporting relationships, activation protocols, documentation practices, and integration with officer education; maintains contracted clinical oversight.
• Oversees and monitors the Wellness and Human Performance budget; evaluates bids from vendors for services or equipment purchases; makes recommendations to the Deputy Chief on budgetary needs.
• Provides leadership education for officers to recognize and respond appropriately to member wellness needs; integrates wellness considerations into operational planning, scheduling, and after-incident protocols.

Professional and Learning Development

• Oversees the functions of the Learning and Development Branch; establishes goals and objectives consistent with the District's mission, strategic plan, and HPO model; ensures learning opportunities are accessible to all members regardless of rank or classification.
• Provides leadership for Professional Development activities; collaborates on best practices pertaining to cognitive development, integrated training, and a holistic approach to the development of all members.
• Develops Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for members; supports professional education pathways including college coursework, online certifications, administrative skill development, and technical specialty training.
• Develops and implements a mentorship pairing program connecting career, volunteer, and civilian staff to support professional growth, career mobility, and succession planning for key operational and civilian roles.
• Develops and oversees the High School Fire Science / Explorer Program in coordination with Aspen High School and other community stakeholders; manages the program to engage local students through mentorship, skills exposure, and structured pathways into volunteer and career service, supporting long-term workforce sustainability and preservation of Aspen's combination department identity.
• Oversees and monitors the Learning and Development budget; makes recommendations to the Deputy Chief on budgetary needs for professional development resources, educational partnerships, and program expansion.
• Tracks and reports quarterly on learning participation metrics; uses performance outcomes to inform program adjustments and resource prioritization aligned with phased implementation goals.

General Responsibilities

• Establish metrics and continuous improvement plans for all assigned branches.
• Maintain effective relationships with partner agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.
• Represent the District at meetings, conferences, and professional forums.
• Promote a professional image of the District at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO/Fire Chief.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of fire department management and