National Fire Academy Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

Course: Executive Skills Series (F/W0520, F/W0521, F/W0522, and F/W0523)

Curriculum: Leadership and Executive Development

Effective Date: August 2017

“Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership Within Communities.” This is a two-day course 

intended to provide fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) authority figures with 

knowledge and skills, enabling them to exercise leadership when confronting adaptive challenges 

presented by increasingly diverse internal and external communities. The goal of the course is 

for participants to use the diversity of ideas, peoples and cultures as resources in exercising 

leadership to address adaptive challenges in their communities.

“Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership to Facilitate Adaptive Change.” This is a twoday course to provide skills that individuals in positions of authority can use to exercise 

leadership when confronted with adaptive challenges. The goal of this course is for the

participant to develop an understanding of skills associated with exercising leadership to resolve

adaptive problems, those problems where the solution is either unknown, requires significant

change, or both.

“Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership Through Difficult Conversations.” This is a twoday course to provide knowledge and skills for having difficult conversations to exercise 

leadership in addressing adaptive challenges. The goal of this course is for the participant to 

identify and apply skills for having difficult conversations as they relate to exercising leadership

when addressing adaptive challenges.

“Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership Ethically.” This is a two-day course to provide 

students with the ability to recognize ethical dilemmas in the context of their environments and 

apply a decision model to resolve these dilemmas, render ethical decisions, and defend under 

scrutiny the resulting decisions that were made in an effort to resolve these dilemmas. 

Criteria for Contract Instructor Selection

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

accordance with the National Fire Academy’s (NFA’s) Contract Instructor Evaluation program. 

Existing contract instructors are subject to evaluation in accordance with this program. 

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

general and administrative requirements (found at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/

instructors_officials/criteria.html) before being approved to bid.
1. Academic/Training Requirement

A minimum of a graduate degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution 

recognized by the Department of Education. The degree should be in a field closely 

related to the specific course’s subject matter.

2. Instructional Requirement

A minimum of five years of experience in facilitated adult learning processes within 

the last 10 years, to include the use of the Socratic method of instructional delivery and 

student centered learning, preferably at the baccalaureate level or higher.

3. Documented Knowledge and Experience in the Subject Area(s)

a. Experience and knowledge in facilitating/instructing the designated course subject 

areas to include “adaptive leadership model/framework” as contained within

“Leadership On the Line” (Harvard Press, 2002) and “The Practice of Adaptive

Leadership” (Harvard Press, 2009).

b. For “Executive Skills Series: Exercising Leadership Through Difficult 

Conversations” experience and knowledge facilitating/instructing course subject 

area as contained within “Difficult Conversations: How to discuss what matters 

most” (Penguin Press, 2010). 

c. A minimum of five years documented organizational work experience at the level 

of supervisor or above within the last 10 years. Experience related to fire and 

emergency medical service organizations, public sector agencies serving the 

public safety, or closely related fields, is preferred.

d. Successfully completed the course(s) as a student and attended the course at 

the NFA as an instructor candidate (at own expense); or completed an

instructor development program (at own expense).

While attending as an instructor candidate, or during an instructor 

development program, candidates will be assigned a topic(s) for purposes of 

an evaluated teaching demonstration in accordance with the NFA’s Contract 

Instructor Evaluation program. 

4. Continuing Practice and 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 

any of the courses in this series, 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 relevance. Work experience may be verified through submission of a work

résumé.
5. Academic Relevancy

Instructor candidates must have and maintain academic relevance as evidenced by one 

or more of the following:

a. teaching the course(s) at the NFA (“W” course code) or in the field (“F” 

course code) at least once within the last three years;

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

once within the last three years; and 

c. completing a similar course of instruction within the last three years through 

an accredited institution of higher learning or a nationally recognized 

organization providing certified continuing education credits.

6. 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 re-application for failure to meet and/or 

submit verification of the continuing practice and education requirements when 

requested. Additionally, existing contract instructors are subject to re-application and 

meeting revised criteria as determined by the NFA based on revisions to course 

content.

7. How to Submit an Application

The following documents are required with each submission:

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

b. Your résumé.

c. Documentation that clearly addresses how you meet the instructor selection 

criteria for each course you are seeking to teach. Incomplete packages will not be 

processed. List the criteria in this order:

- Academic requirement.

- Instructional experience. 

- Knowledge and experience in the subject matter.

- Continuing practice or education.

d. 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.

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

you.

Do not include your Social Security Number and your date of birth on any of the 

documents you submit.
All documentation and statements provided may be subject to request for additional 

verification, to include, but not limited to the following: academic transcripts, verification 

of work experience, and professional references. 

Application package(s) must be submitted to:

National Fire Academy

fema-nfainstructorapp@fema.dhs.gov