National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Analytical Tools for Decision Making (R0387)

Curriculum: Planning and Information Management

As part of the National Fire Academy’s (NFA’s) Managing Officer Program, the “Analytical 

Tools for Decision-Making” (ATDM) course is designed to introduce company level officers to 

tools and techniques used in emergency planning, preparedness and response decision-making. 

Candidates not meeting the basic NFA criteria outlined in the general qualification criteria 

established by the NFA will not receive further consideration.

Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

All new contract instructors shall be evaluated in three consecutive course deliveries in 

accordance with the NFA’s Instructor Evaluation program. Existing contract instructors shall 

also be evaluated in accordance with this program and shall be evaluated no less than one time 

every three years. All current instructors wishing to be considered for this course will be 

evaluated during their first program delivery. Based on the observation, they will be authorized 

to serve as a contract instructor, be denied contract instructor status, or be provided with 

performance improvement criteria and re-evaluated during a subsequent offering prior to final 

decision.

All instructor candidates must meet or exceed the published course instructor criteria and meet 

the general and administrative requirements before being approved to bid.

1. Academic Requirement

a. Minimum

The candidate must have a minimum of a bachelor degree from a nationally or 

regionally accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education. 

b. Preferred

A bachelor degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution 

recognized by the Department of Education. Preferred degree fields shall be in 

computer science, geography and/or spatial sciences, emergency management, 

business or related fields. In addition, candidates shall submit proof of continuing 

education and practice within the field of education, training and technology

application which demonstrates current knowledge in the field. It is preferred that 

candidates attend as a contract instructor trainee upon preliminary approval of the 

application. This requirement may be waived depending on the experience and 

background of the applicant.
2. Instructional Requirement

The candidate must demonstrate a history of significant instructional and facilitation 

experience with adult learners with the fire and emergency services field, and experience 

applying technology to the planning, preparedness and response functions of emergency 

services. The candidate must provide a minimum of at least five occurrences of 

experience with reference information. Significant instructional experience at the

technical, undergraduate and/or college level must be demonstrated.

3. Documented Knowledge and Experience

a. The candidate must demonstrate exceptional facilitation skills in the instructional 

arena.

b. The candidate must demonstrate current knowledge in emergency services 

planning, preparedness and response.

c. The candidate must demonstrate mastery of the use of geographic intelligence 

software in prevention, planning, preparedness and response activities.

d. The candidate must demonstrate current knowledge in managing training 

programs, as demonstrated by at least three years’ experience utilizing technology 

in the development of emergency plans and/or annexes and support documents.

e. Candidates must maintain currency in the field through practice, education or 

other relevant activities.

4. Continuing Practice or Education

Contract instructors must maintain both work experience and academic relevance specific 

to the course(s) for which they are approved. To maintain eligibility to instruct the 

course, contract instructors will be required on a periodic basis, but no more than every 

three years, to submit verification of both work experience and academic relevancy. 

Work experience may be verified through submission of a work resume. 

Verify ability to maintain current knowledge in the field by submitting evidence of one or 

more of the following:

a. Teaching the course at least one time within the last two years.

b. Teaching a similar course at an accredited institution of higher learning at least 

one time within the last two years.

c. Completing a similar course of instruction within the last three years at an 

accredited institution of higher learning or a nationally recognized organization 

providing certified continuing education credits.

Failure to annually provide approved documentation of ongoing practice, training and/or 

instruction may result in revocation of contract instructor status.
5. Revisions to Criteria

These criteria are subject to revision as based on course changes and NFA needs. 

Potential instructors will be subject to the criteria effective at the date of application. 

Existing contract instructors are subject to reapplication and shall submit verification of 

the continuing practice and education requirements when requested. Additionally, 

existing contract instructors are subject to re-application and to meeting revised criterions

as determined by the NFA based on revisions to course content.

How to Submit an Application

The following documents are required with each submission:

1. A cover letter listing the courses you want to teach.

2. Your résumé.

3. Documentation that clearly addresses how you meet the instructor selection criteria for 

each course you are seeking to teach (e.g., academic requirement, instructional

experience, knowledge and experience in the subject matter, and continuing practice or 

education). This document needs to be written in that order. Incomplete packages will not 

be processed.

4. Three references from persons who are knowledgeable about your character as well as 

your teaching ability. One reference letter should be from the department or agency head 

in your organization or certifying organization.

5. Include a current email address so we can communicate more efficiently with you.

Application package(s) must be submitted to:

National Fire Academy

fema-nfainstructorapp@fema.dhs.gov