Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Summary

About the Position: Fire Department personnel are required to work 72 hours per week, which includes at least one 24-hour shift and may include weekends and holidays. Shift work is 144 hours bi-weekly.

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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• Drives firefighting vehicle to scene of fire following predetermined routes or selecting alternate routes when necessary.
• Operates pumps, foam generators, boom and ground sweep nozzles, and other similar equipment.
• Responds to accidents and other emergencies on and off depot involving injury and illnesses, sometimes encountering situations which may be life threatening.
• Provides fire protection for buildings, shops, warehouses, ammunition storage areas, fuel storage areas, ground cover areas and a variety of other structural and related areas.
• Operates hose lines, ladders, hydrants, and performs or assists in rescue operations in the control and extinguishment of fires.
• Accomplishes routine station maintenance functions, i.e., house cleaning, etc.

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 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 50 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 covered by the civilian drug abuse testing program. The incumbent of this position must sign DA Form 5019-R as a condition of employment and shall be subject to periodic and random urinalysis drug testing as required by AR 600-85.
• 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 employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
• 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.
• Due to the nature of this position, employees are required to work both planned and unscheduled overtime. This position performs, as required, mutual aid support to local fire departments.
• 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 completion of an annual Job Performance Test.
• This position requires the incumbent to conform to the requirements set-forth in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1550, Fire Department Occupational Health and Safety Program.
• This position requires participation in a cardiovascular physical fitness program.
• 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. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
• Within the first year of occupying the GS-0081-04 position and prior to promotion to the GS-05, The incumbent must obtain and maintain Firefighter I and II Certification certifications.
• Within the first year of occupying the GS-0081-05 position and prior to promotion to the GS-06, The incumbent must obtain and maintain HAZMAT Operations, and Emergency Medical Technician certifications.
• Within the first year of occupying the GS-0081-06 position and prior to promotion to GS-07, incumbent must obtain and maintain HAZMAT Technician and Driver Operator - Pumper certifications.
• Within the first year of occupying the GS-0081-07, incumbent must obtain and maintain Driver Operator-Aerial, Driver Operator - Mobile Water Supply, Driver Operator - Aircraft Rescue and Firefighter, and Airport Firefighter.
• Within the first year of occupying the GS-0081-07, incumbent must obtain and maintain DoD Wildland Firefighter I, DoD Wildland Firefighter II, and National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Wildland Firefighter Type II Red Card Certification.

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES:

• Occasional Travel required (not more than 5%).
• Incumbent must successfully complete an annual emergency vehicle operator's course.
• Incumbent is subject to a 24-hour Recall.
• This position is an Inclement Weather Essential position.

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.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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.

Specialized experience at the GS-04 level: One year of specialized experience which includes: Following detailed instructions to assist with basic firefighter duties, such as using and/or maintaining basic firefighter equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-03).

Qualifying Education Substitution for experience at the GS-04 level only: Successful completion of a 2-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, 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 60. Add the two percentages.

No Certifications required to qualify at the GS-04 level.

Specialized experience at the GS-05 level: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Utilizing and maintaining firefighting equipment; AND 2) Participating in firefighting and rescue situations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

Qualifying Education Substitution for experience at the GS-05-level only: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited College or University with a 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.

Certifications required to qualify at the GS-05 level: Firefighter I and II

Specialized experience at the GS-06 level: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Performing standard firefighting techniques; 2) Responding to basic hazardous materials incidents; AND 3) Applying basic first aid. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

Certifications required to qualify at the GS-06 level: Firefighter I and II, Emergency Medical Technician, and Hazardous Material Operations.

Specialized experience at the GS-07 level: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Performing structural firefighting duties, including controlling and extinguishing fires; 2) Providing emergency medical services; and 3) Responding to and mitigating hazardous materials incidents. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).

Certifications required to qualify at the GS-07 level: Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Material Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, and Driver Operator - Pumper.

For the GS-06 and 07 level positions you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Selective Placement Factor: This position has selective placement factor which must be met prior to employment and for continued employment.

Maximum Entry Age (MEA): The MEA for Firefighters is 37. Applicants not appointed by the last day of the month in which that individual reaches their 37th birthday shall not be appointed or assigned to these positions.

Proof of Age: As this is a Firefighter (Basic Life Support) 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. (NOTE: Must upload a copy of Driver's Licenses to your application package)

Maximum Re-entry 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 local Command.

Education

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:

Qualifying Education Substitution for experience at the GS-04 level only: Successful completion of a 2-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, or other related fields of study.

Qualifying Education Substitution for experience at the GS-05-level only: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited College or University with a major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study.

For the GS-06 and GS-07 levels: 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.

DoD and NREMT Certificates MUST be submitted at time of application: If your application package does not contain proof of having these certificates and license, your application will be marked as incomplete and you WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.

For the GS-05 level: DoD Certificates: Firefighter I and II.

For the GS-06 level: Firefighter I and II; a current, unexpired State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT), and Hazardous Materials Operations.

For the GS-07 level: Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Material Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, and Driver Operator - Pumper.

Certifications must be certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) AND a State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification Card indicating a future expiration date when applicable. If your application package does not contain proof of having these certificates, your application will be marked as incomplete, and you WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. 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 (

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 trial/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) Safety and Occupational Health Management 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.
• Further certification may take place up to 90 days from the date of certificate.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time.
• Incentives 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.

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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.