Firefighter (Hazardous Material Technician)

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.

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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• Perform as a member of a firefighting crew engaged in the protection of life and property.
• Perform fire protection inspections in areas where fire hazards are expected.
• Participate as a member of a team to safely decontaminate personnel, personnel protective equipment, protective clothing, and supplies.
• Inspect fire truck equipment to ensure all equipment remains fully operational.
• Respond to hazardous material incidents surveying scene for the purpose of controlling the spread and/or release.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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.
• 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.
• Must be able to pass pre-appointment and subsequent periodic medical examinations IAW DoD 6055.5M to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position.
• Must be able to successfully complete an annual Job Performance Test.
• 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.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 45 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
• This position requires incumbent to wear a uniform.
• 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 be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
• 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.
• This position requires participation in a cardiovascular physical fitness program.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time.
• Must obtain Fort Polk SF-346 (Government Driver's License) in order to drive/operate required equipment.

Qualifications

*** This is a developmental position **

Who May Apply: US Citizens which will be filled at either the GS-05, GS-06 or GS-07 grade level. You will work in a developmental capacity performing assignments and completing training, both of which are aimed at preparing you to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the full performance level. The candidate placed in this position may be non-competitively promoted to the target grade of GS-07 if he or she has satisfactorily demonstrated the ability to perform at the higher grade level, meets all regulatory and qualification requirements for promotion, has been recommended for promotion by the supervisor and the target position is supported at the time of the promotion.

Incumbent must possess and maintain for following certifications: Firefighter I and II, Airport Firefighter, Hazardous Material Technician certification, Driver Operator-Pumper, and National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - (formally Basic), and have been awarded by the DoD, IFSAC, OR Pro-Board accredited training to meet the requirement.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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-05 Level: Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service which includes (1) controlling or extinguishing fires; (2) operating hose lines; (3) making force entries; (4) ventilating structures or performing rescue operations including administering first aid to injured victims. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education: Four years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages.

IN ADDITION TO SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE THE POSITION REQUIRES THE INCUMBENT TO POSSESS THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: For each certification listed, you MUST submit a copy with your application package, or you will be rated in-eligible.

• Firefighter I and II Certification and Hazardous Material Operations Certifications.

NOTE: These certifications must have been awarded by the DoD, IFSAC, or Pro-Board accredited training to meet this requirement. If you do not possess these certifications, you will be rated ineligible.

GS-06 Level: Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience which includes: (1) operating firefighting equipment, including pumps and heavy hand held equipment, and extinguishing agents during emergencies; (2) experience performing emergency medical services under a variety of conditions; (3) experience carrying out orders, effectively fighting fires, and using and maintaining assigned firefighting equipment under conditions of heavy physical exertion and extreme heat and dust in all kinds of weather. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

*** 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. ***

IN ADDITION TO SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE THE POSITION REQUIRES THE INCUMBENT TO POSSESS THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS AT THE GS-06 GRADE LEVEL: For each certification listed, you MUST submit a copy with your application package, or you will be rated in-eligible.

• Firefighter I & II
• Airport Firefighter
• Hazmat Operations.

NOTE: These certifications must have been awarded by the DoD, IFSAC, or Pro-Board accredited training to meet this requirement. If you do not possess these certifications, you will be rated ineligible.

GS-07 Level: Specialized Experience: I have one year of specialized experience which includes: 1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; 2) rescue operations; 3) detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; 4) operation of fire communications equipment; 5) controlling hazardous materials incidents; and/or (6) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).

*** 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. ***

IN ADDITION TO SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE THE POSITION REQUIRES THE INCUMBENT TO POSSESS THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: For each certification listed, you MUST submit a copy with your application package, or you will be rated in-eligible.

• Firefighter I and II Certifications
• Airport Firefighter
• Hazmat Technician Certification
• Driver Operator Pumper Certification
• National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - (formally Basic)

NOTE: These certifications must have been awarded by the DoD, IFSAC, or Pro-Board accredited training to meet this requirement. If you do not possess these certifications, you will be rated ineligible. *** Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification (issued by state or National Registry).: If the EMT certification/recertification is issued after 31 March 2015 by State or National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), then the card will read as "EMT" and not "EMT-Basic." If you are applying for this position and you currently hold an "EMT" certification, you will be required to obtain recertification when required. ***

*** NOTE: For each certification listed above, you MUST submit a copy with your application package, or you will be rated ineligible.

Education

GS-05 - FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

GS-06/07: 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.
• One year probationary period may be required.
• 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) Career Program (CP) 12 - Safety 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.
• Incumbent must possess and maintain for following certifications: Firefighter I and II, Airport Firefighter, Hazardous Material Technician certification, Driver Operator-Pumper, and National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - (formally Basic). These certifications must have been awarded by the DoD, IFSAC, OR Pro-Board accredited training to meet the requirement, and have been awarded by the DoD, IFSAC, OR Pro-Board accredited training to meet the requirement.

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.