Firefighter (Paramedic)

Summary

About the Position: Incumbent serves as an EMT-Paramedic.

This position is included under the provisions of Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and may have both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date. Click here for more information on SRC for Firefighters (Primary/Rigorous)

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Duties

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• Provide directions to fire crews during fire and rescue operations.
• Use vehicle radios, computers, or telephonic equipment to communicate status and receive instructions.
• Use communication equipment and systems to dispatch manpower and equipment.
• Operate emergency communications equipment and systems to receive and transmit information.
• Communicate with the receiving facility to provide patient status information.
• Maintain readiness by ensuring the vehicle equipment and supplies have been inspected and are serviceable.
• Assess patient status and baseline vital signs to determine priority for care.
• Provide patient status information to receiving facility.
• Select the safest and most efficient route to and from emergencies.
• Administer basic life support care to victims on the scene of a fire, accident or in the case of sudden illness.
• Determine the appropriate water pressure for various hose deployments and stream applications to ensure a positive water supply.
• Operate firefighting vehicles in response to incidents.
• Operate hose lines, ladders, and hydrants to control and extinguish fires.
• Perform general maintenance tasks on firefighting apparatus and equipment to ensure it is readily available for use.
• Use hand tools, power tools, or portable fire extinguishers to perform firefighting duties.
• Use monitoring equipment during hazardous material incidents to identify and verify the presence and concentrations of hazardous materials.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the completion of pre-employment and periodic subsequent medical examination in accordance with DoDM 6055.06-M to ensure continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. Detection of the presence of drugs is warranted.
• This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
• This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• In accordance with AR 690-11, this position has been designated as "Key" and shall not be vacated during a national emergency or mobilization as doing so would seriously impair the capability of the organization to function effectively.
• As a "Key" position, the incumbent must be exempted from recall to active duty and will receive training to ensure mission accomplishment of sustaining base operations during mobilization.
• This position requires the incumbent to wear the prescribed uniform and/or personal protective equipment while on duty.
• This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis; 48-hour rotating shifts with a work schedule of 144 hours per pay period.
• The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• This position requires the incumbent to conform to the requirements set-forth in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1500, Fire Department Occupational Health and Safety Program.
• Occasional TDY is required - 10%.
• Incumbent is required to report for duty during Natural Disasters and other emergency situations as directed by the Fire Chief.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• Formal land based Shipboard Firefighting certification must be obtained within one year of employment
• For the GS-08 position, HAZMAT Technician certification must be obtained within one year of employment.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 45 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
• Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Interchange Agreement
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

GS-08

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Responding to emergencies such as: injury and/or illness of patients, 2) Performing lifesaving measures on persons such as: performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wound care, and/or rescue operations, 3) Controlling fires as a member of an organized team such as: military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
• Additional Requirements : In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement above, applicants must also possess Fire Fighter I; Fire Fighter II; Apparatus Driver Operator-Pumper; Apparatus Driver Operator-Aerial; HAZMAT Operations certiciations certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) in accordance with DoD 6055.06-M AND a State or National Registry Paramedic Certification Card indicating a future expiration date.
• Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07).

GS-09

• Specialized Experience : One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Responding to emergencies such as: injury and/or illness of patients, 2) Performing lifesaving measures on persons such as: performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wound care, and/or rescue operations, 3) Controlling fires as a member of an organized team such as: military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08).
• Additional Requirements: In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement above, applicants must also possess Fire Fighter I; Fire Fighter II; Driver Operator-Pumper; Driver Operator-Aerial; HAZMAT Technician certiciations; certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) in accordance with DoD 6055.06-M AND a State or National Registry Paramedic Certification Card indicating a future expiration date.
• Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-08).

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a CP12 - Safety and Occupational Health Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.