Firefighter (Paramedic)

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position is located at Fort Carson, CO

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)

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

• Respond to fire alarms for all classes of fires, including those involving radioactive and/or hazardous materials, medical emergencies, rescue operations, wild land fires, hazardous material incidents, and aircraft emergencies.
• Assess fire ground conditions. Upon arrival at emergency scene position apparatus, take into consideration pre-planned instructions and such factors as hydrant locations, exposure, wind direction, overhead power lines, terrain, and rescue equipment.
• Provide medical care to onsite accidents and other emergencies involving injuries and illnesses. Conduct complete examination and determine the nature, extent, and seriousness of their condition and determine the appropriate treatment.
• Perform operator maintenance on emergency vehicles, firefighting and medical equipment as required

Requirements

Help

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 to ensure continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 100 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
• 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.
• This position requires the incumbent to wear the prescribed uniform and/or personal protective equipment while on duty.
• This position requires incumbent to work a 72-hour weekly tour and may be required to work weekends and holidays.
• 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 successful participation in the department's wellness program, physical exercise program, annual examination and annual physical agility test.
• 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 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
• Must be able to work under conditions of heavy physical exertion, heavy lifting, and climbing of ladders for extended periods of time. Incumbent will be exposed to flames, extreme heat, cold, dust, smoke, water, and possible explosions.
• Must be able to maintain necessary alertness, self-control, and emotional stability under emergency conditions.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Airport Fire Fighter Certifications within 18 months of date of appointment.
• Subject to 24-hour recall by the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, or Assistant Chiefs to provide services, repair, or advice.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the 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.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes: 1) responding to fire alarms for all classes of fires, including those involving radioactive and/or hazardous materials, medical emergencies, rescue operations, wild land fires, hazardous material incidents, and aircraft emergencies; 2) responding to accidents and other emergencies involving injuries and illnesses 3) conducting complete examinations of patients to determine their conditions and the appropriate treatments.

*NOTE: Because there is no position in the normal line of progression in the organization that is one grade lower than the position being filled, one year of specialized experience at the second lower grade level (GS-07) is creditable for in-service applicants. External applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08).

In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement above, applicants must also possess the below listed certifications 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.

To qualify, the incumbent must possess the following: Firefighter II, Driver/Operator Pumper, HAZMAT Technician, HAZMAT Operations, and National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) qualification indicating Firefighter Type II certification (Red Card), 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; Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification, and Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P), which must be issued by State or National Registry. Must be able to obtain and maintain Airport Fire Fighter certifications within 18 months of date of appointment. (Applicants must provide copies of certifications with their applicant package).

NOTE: Rather than submitting individual DoD certificates, you may opt to use the DoD Lookup System website and then save and upload your one/two page individual report. (Rather than submitting your EMT Certification Card, you may print proof of current registration with NREMT from their website(

Proof of Age: As this is a Primary/Rigorous firefighter position, your application package MUST include a government issued document indicating your date of birth. Failure to submit this document will result in your application being marked as incomplete and you WILL NOT receive further consideration for this position.

Maximum Entry Age (MEA): The MEA for Firefighters is 37. An employee originally hired into a covered position must be hired by the last day of the month he/she reaches 37. You MUST attach a copy of your Driver's License to your resume packet, or your resume packet will be considered incomplete.

Maximum Reentry Age: An employee who previously served on a covered position may be rehired past the MEA as long as he/she is able to complete 20 years of covered service by his/her mandatory retirement age. The maximum re-entry age for the individual is calculated by determining the total amount of time he/she has served on a covered position and subtracting that from age 57 if a firefighter. The employee's current age is compared to the calculated maximum re-entry age to determine if he/she can be rehired into the covered position.

Waivers to Maximum Entry Age : MEA may be waived, but only under specific circumstances and only if approved by the authorized entity. Waivers to MEA for firefighters must be approved by the agency.

Mandatory Separation: An employee who occupies a special retirement position is subject to mandatory separation when all the following minimum conditions are met: age 57; completion of 20 years of creditable service as a firefighter. Mandatory separation is effective on the last day of the month in which the minimum conditions are met. Employees who are subject to mandatory separation are given a notice period of at least 60 days.

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(n) Installations Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit for more information.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized
• Student loan repayment may be authorized.
• Salary negotiations for those candidates who are new to Federal service may be authorized.
• Credit for Prior Non-Federal Work Experience and Certain Military Service for Determining Annual Leave Accrual Rate may be authorized.

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.

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.