Manager, Public Safety Academy, Fire Academy

Salary : $100,572.84 - $145,644.58 Annually
Location : Palm Desert, CA
Job Type: FULL TIME
Job Number:
Division: Office of Instruction
Department: School of Applied Science & Business
Opening Date: 10/01/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A

BASIC FUNCTION
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Public Safety Academy Manager is responsible for the oversight of daily operations and assists the Director of the Public Safety Academy with coordination of the assigned instructional programs. The Public Safety Academy Manager is distinguished from the Director of the Public Safety Academy by its oversight of day-to-day Academy operations, whereas the latter classification assumes overall leadership of the Public Safety Academy and its instructional programs, as well as academic disciplines within the PSA.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives direct supervision from the Director of the Public Safety Academy (PSA) or assigned Administrator. May provide direct or indirect supervision to assigned professional, technical, and/or administrative support staff as assigned. The incumbent is expected to work independently, exercising professional judgement and initiative to achieve departmental goals.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The duties listed are only intended to provide examples of the types of work performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. The?District?reserves the right to?modify?or assign?additional?duties consistent with the classification. 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 this class.

1. Performs full supervisory activities, subject to management concurrence and in accordance with applicable District policies, which includes selecting and training new employees; planning, assigning, scheduling, and evaluating completed work; approving overtime; preparing and signing employee performance evaluations; responding to grievances, student removals from program, and taking appropriate disciplinary action; and, performing related supervisory activities.
2. Supervises, oversees, organizes, and coordinates the day-to-day activities and communications of the Academy to ensure efficient and effective office operations, including but not limited to the investigation, troubleshooting, and resolution of a variety of internal and external issues; in conjunction with the Director of the Public Safety Academy, oversees and evaluates the instructional, technological, and remediation methods of the Academy.
3. Coordinates the integration and sequencing of Academy instruction with multi-discipline learning communities; assists in developing course curricula in accordance with training and testing specifications; assists in the preparation and delivery of instruction, ensuring that mandated course outline material is delivered in an effective manner; facilitates the remediation of activities with instructors related to mandated performance objectives.
4. Facilitates testing of Academy cadets and inputs student test scores via the appropriate system.
5. Ensures that related course requirements including but not limited to course approvals, course control numbers, extended course outline updates, instructor resume information, safety policies, course complete data and reporting are completed as required per regulations.
6. Schedules Academy and related classes and facilities use as required by College of the Desert.
7. Ensures compliance with California Education Code, Title 5 Regulations, accreditation standards, District policies and other state laws, regulations, and standards applicable to the discipline.
8. Serves as District liaison with internal departments and external agencies; maintains training standards by monitoring and implementing California legislative mandates for public safety training for the Academy; attends required state and regional meetings.
9. Assists in budgeting, course scheduling, planning and marketing, and strategic outreach of the Academy.
10. Meet project/program scheduled deadlines and timelines, organize multiple projects efficiently and effectively, and carry out required project details throughout the year.
11. Compiles, assembles, and disseminates requested program data; prepares a variety of studies and reports relevant to the Academy.
12. Facilitates and manages collaborative actions with partner organizations.
13. Facilitates and manages employing department's access to affiliated students and records by their department.
14. Reviews, revises, and implements District, regional, and program policies and procedures.
15. Seeks and participates in professional development activities. Maintain an understanding of current ideas, trends, and practices pertaining to the areas of responsibility through continued study and participation in professional organizations.
16. Chair?or Co-Chair assigned?governance committees.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

1. Principles and practices of general management and supervision.
2. Laws and regulations governing California Community Colleges; District policies and procedures.
3. Compliance requirements for assigned academy.
4. Procedures for accreditation, basic course certification review and state certification; curriculum development and process.
5. Teaching methods and techniques; grant funding sources, procedures and processes, writing, and administration.
6. Student learning outcomes.
7. Requirements for prerequisites and course equivalencies and equivalency policies.
8. New educational technologies and learning modalities.
9. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
10. Oral and written communication skills.
11. Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software.

Ability To:

1. Plan, organize, direct, administer, review, and evaluate programs and services.
2. Exercise honesty, consistency, and sound judgment in the performance of duties.
3. Direct and control the delivery of the academy and direct the effective interface and integration of certified courses.
4. Understand and apply governmental budgeting practices; analyze financial, statistical and narrative data related to the workforce, assist in the preparation and administration of departmental budgets.
5. Assure compliance with academy requirements and Partner organizations.
6. Cultivate and promote positive and substantive relationships with local business and civic organizations.
7. Prepare comprehensive reports for submission to the state as required.
8. Maintain current knowledge of trends related to assigned areas of responsibility.
9. Communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with employees, District leadership and stakeholders, especially during stressful situations; de-escalate difficult customer interactions with empathy, tact.
10. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others; work independently, confidentially, organize work to meet schedules, timelines and with minimal direction; exercise tact and diplomacy when handling sensitive or confidential matters.?
11. Interpret, apply, and explain District policies and legal regulations and requirements; State and federal laws and regulations related to assigned programs.
12. Maintain?regular, reliable, and punctual attendance consistent with District standards and operational needs.
13. Supervise, coach, evaluate and motivate a team of professionals to foster a collaborative, customer-focused team culture.
14. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing to exchange information; operate a computer and appropriate software including scheduling, email, database management, word processing, spreadsheets and presentations.
15. Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of students, staff, and the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Each Public Safety Academy program has specific minimum qualifications for each manager role, as listed below:

For Fire Academy:

• Option 1: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of professional fire service experience.
• Option 2: An Associate degree from an accredited college or university and seven (7) years of professional fire service experience.

Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Environment: District Office and field environment; subject to constant interruptions and frequent interactions with others; requires evening and weekend responsibility; driving a vehicle to conduct work as necessary; Travel between sites, other locations to attend meetings or conduct work.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job; the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods of time (up to 2-3 hours), repetitive use of upper extremities including hand coordination activities. The ability to type, use phone, stand intermittently, walk, bend and stoop, occasionally lift (up to 20 pounds), carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects of light to moderate weight, work at a computer, including sitting and viewing a monitor for various lengths of time, repetitive use of keyboard, mouse or other control device, dexterity of hands and fingers to operate keyboard, ability to communicate and provide information to others.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

• Certificated Leadership Salary Range 7

SALARY PLACEMENT:

• Salary placement is contingent on education, experience, and department budget.

• Retirement System: CalSTRS (upon meeting eligibility criteria)

SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

• This position is scheduled 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.
• The primary location is Palm Desert Campus. May work at other locations.
• Requires evening and weekend responsibility. Travel between sites, other locations to attend meetings or conduct work.
• The schedule and location are subject to change based on District need.

REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS:

To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded:

• Online Application: All sections of the College of the Desert District online application must be completed including education and experience.
• Resume: Must include length of employment (month/year start and end dates) for each employer.
• Cover Letter: Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.
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