Assistant Director of Accreditation and Operations

The Assistant Director of Accreditation and Operations is a critical leadership role within the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI). This position oversees all aspects of the business operations and evolving needs of the Kansas Fire Service. The Assistant Director will collaborate across departments to ensure effective program development, budget management, and strategic growth in the administrative functions organizationally, while also spearheading initiatives for innovation with National Fire Academy Fire training courses and delivery, Traffic Incident Management courses, as well as Fire Schools, Fire Forums, and Conferences. This position will serve as the unit leader in the absence of the Director and the Assistant Director of Training. This position reports to the Director of KFRTI.

The ideal candidate for this role will possess the following key competencies:

• Strategic planning and problem-solving.
• Ability to collaborate across diverse teams and departments.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing innovative training solutions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

The Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, a unit of Jayhawk Global, was created in 1949 by the Kansas legislature with the mission to train and credential Kansas firefighters in local jurisdictions. Housed on the Lawrence campus, the Institute serves fire departments and firefighters through a "traveling instruction service," providing hundreds of training and certification events each year in communities across the State of Kansas.

The mission of Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute is to provide accessible, innovative, and science and data-driven training and credentialing for fire and emergency services personnel to improve the health and safety of our communities.

Jayhawk Global is an education innovation center that advances and delivers non-traditional forms of learner engagement, including online degree programs, professional and workforce development, certifications, competency-based educational offerings, credit for prior experience, employee training, and enrichment learning. Jayhawk Global's mission is both internal, working collaboratively with all KU academic schools and departments, and external, serving all 105 Kansas counties, 50 U.S. states, and over 40 countries. The units in Jayhawk Global include: Competency Based Education Academic Programs, Extended Learning Programs (including the Aerospace Short Course Program, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), and the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute.

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details and additional KU Benefits information available at: Tuition Assistance | KU Benefits

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

50% Management of Unit Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the KFRTI, ensuring efficient accounting and financial management of training programs.
• Compose procedures and policies based upon organizational need as directed.
• Represent the administrative staff in all decision making and leadership activities.
• Develop reports and identify metrics within KFRTI to evaluate, ensure or improve accuracy, efficiency, timeliness, and clarity of operations with administrative staff.
• Supervise Administrative staff and student employees within KFRTI and align administrative staff goals to be consistent with KU Jayhawk Global and KFRTI strategic plans.
• Prepare and deliver annual evaluations and ensure completion of annual required training.
• Serve on university and fire organization committees as requested and approved by the Director of KFRTI
• Supervise business operations administrative support staff, ensuring efficient operations and task execution.
• Supervise certification operations and support staff, ensuring efficient operations and task execution.
• Supervise the Degree Program to support scheduling, build-out delivery and KFRTI management of the University of Kansas Fire and Emergency Services Administration Degree.
• Supervise the Special Projects Coordinator with scheduling, delivery, registration and budgetary requirements in relation to Fire Schools, Fire Forums, Conferences state and national and other specialized events.
• Supervise the Office Manager in relation to Enrole, the TIM program management scheduling and delivery along with budgetary requirements for administrative support, travel reimbursement and course support requirements.
• Promote professional development of staff.
• Collaborate with KFRTI teams to ensure seamless integration and delivery of programs.
• Collaborate with the KFRTI Leadership group for strategic planning as well as strategic planning at the Jayhawk Global level.

25% Financial Oversight, Grant Funding, and Resource Acquisition:

• Collaborate and assist with any and all grant funding opportunities.
• Work strategically with KUCR to submit, accept, and charge AFG grants, NFA grants, and other grants as applicable.
• Ensure that unit is meeting all grant reporting requirements.
• Contracts/procurement oversight.
• Develop strategic partnerships to secure resources for new and existing programs.
• Collaborate with KFRTI AD of Training, and KFRTI Director to develop and manage the Unit's annual budget.
• Oversee the Unrestricted 307 funding, the Restricted 700 funding, and Grant funding- ensuring that OAC records are correct.
• Oversee internal IT support, student payments, accounts payable and all accounts receivables.
• Collaborate with KFRTI Program Managers and Program Coordinators in developing cost analysis metrics for courses and programs.

20% Accreditation and Credentialing Oversight:

• Oversee development and management of policies and procedures related to accreditation, national certification, and credentialing.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and maintain partnerships with national accrediting bodies.
• Supervise the development of authentic-based certification assessments and metrics in consultation Instructional Program Managers, and the Certification Program Coordinator.
• Oversee and assist the Certification Program Manager in managing the credentialing and certification program budgets.
• Oversee the development and implementation of new certification levels and programs for the Kansas Fire Service.
• Participate in membership or committee work groups with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and the ProBoard Fire Service Accreditation Organization.
• Oversee the computer-based testing software and initiatives for the KITE testing system.

5%- Other Duties as Assigned

Considerable in-state and limited out-of-state travel is required in this position. Travel related to this position may be required from one to five days per week. This position is routinely required to work a non-traditional schedule (including evenings and weekends).

Persons in this position may be required to lift heavy materials and training props up to 100 pounds with or without accommodation. Successful candidates must be capable of lifting and moving teaching kits, firefighting equipment and performing classroom set up (moving tables & chairs, classroom support equipment, etc.).

1. Bachelor's degree + 3 years related experience.
2. Ten years leadership experience in public safety (fire, law enforcement, emergency management, military/homeland security, emergency medical services) or education.
3. Five years of full-time supervisory experience.
4. Five years of budget experience.
5. Five years federal grant management experience.
6. IFSAC and/or Pro Board National Certification as a Fire Instructor I, as evidenced in application materials.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume
• List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins March 16, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Jennifer Johnson
jennjohnson@ku.edu
785-864-9194

80,000-90,000

Monday March 16, 2026

Monday April 6, 2026