FIREFIGHTER

Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position as a GS-04/05/06 is to serve as a firefighter assigned to drive and operate firefighting vehicles of significant complexity engaged in structural firefighting and rescue operations and assist in reducing and/or eliminating potential fire hazards. Responsibilities This is a developmental position with known promotion potential to the target position of Firefighter, GS-0081-06. Duties: For GS-04/05/06 Drives and operates firefighting vehicles, such as pumpers and aerial ladder trucks. Performs structural firefighting duties for a variety of facilities which may include research and/or large industrial complexes. Performs rescue of personnel and a variety of first aid measures to alleviate further injury and prepare the victim(s) for transport to a medical facility. Maintains firefighting equipment and fire station facilities. Performs functional tests and inspections. Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and housekeeping duties associated with assigned facilities. Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0081, Fire Protection and Prevention Series. This is a developmental position with full potential to GS-06. This position may be filled at the GS-04 with promotion potential to the GS-05 and GS-06. The Individual selected for this position may be promoted to the target level without further competition upon meeting any legal and regulatory requirements. All training must be completed, and regulatory requirements met prior to promotion. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-04: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-03, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the positions: (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. OR EDUCATION: Completed two years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, or other related fields. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience as described above may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-05: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-04, or equivalent in other pay systems which demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the positions: (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. OR EDUCATION: Completed four years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors degree with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience as described above may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-06: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, equivalent in other pay systems (may have been obtained in the federal service, military, or private sector). My experience demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the positions: (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. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-06 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge to drive and operate firefighting vehicles of significant complexity; of the principles of hydraulics as they pertain to water flow, water pressure, water levels, line (friction) losses, etc; and of basic and specialized firefighting equipment (fire alarm system operation, fire extinguishing equipment operation, etc.), techniques, and procedures. 2. Knowledge of basic building design, construction, and occupancy. 3. Knowledge to apply emergency first aid techniques; and of safety requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards, regulations, and/or technical orders. Skill in operating communications equipment; and in detecting and recognizing fire hazards (potential and immediate 4. Skill in operating communications equipment; and in detecting and recognizing fire hazards (potential and immediate) 5. Ability to maintain good working relations; to communicate orally and in writing; and to lift and carry heavy loads. 6. Ability to drive and operate firefighting vehicles of significant complexity; and to apply emergency first aid techniques. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTER INFORMATION: MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: Title 5 U.S.C. 3307 authorizes the head of any agency to establish a maximum entry age for the original appointment of individuals to the position of primary and rigorous firefighter. For initial appointments, applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by date of appointment. This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian fire fighting position covered by title 5 U.S.C. section 3307 provisions OR to qualified veteran preference eligibles who may be eligible for waivers in accordance with section 3 of DoDI 1400.25-V336. NOTE: Applicants who are past the maximum entry age, are re-entering into a primary/rigorous position and have previous special retirement coverage service - may be eligible to be rehired or reinstated to a primary/rigorous covered position without requiring a maximum entry age waiver if he/she will be able to complete 20 years of covered service by age 57. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Effective 1 Jun 00, all DoD firefighters and contract fire and emergency service personnel must be certified at the next higher level before being eligible for promotion to that level. Applicants must list their current firefighter related licenses and certificates on their resumes. Please attach copies of certifications when you submit the resume to verify qualification requirements for the position. Certification requirements for this position are: GS-4: Employee is required as a GS-04 Firefighter to be certified by the DoD Firefighter Certification System as a Firefighter II (Includes Firefighter I), HAZMAT Operations (Includes HAZMAT Awareness). GS-5: Employee is required to be certified by the DoD Firefighter Certification System as Firefighter II (includes Firefighter I), Hazmat Operations (includes Hazmat Awareness). Note: Within one year the GS-05 employee is required to be certified as a Driver Operator/Pumper. GS-6: Employee is required to be certified by the DoD Firefighter Certification System as Firefighter II (includes Firefighter I), Hazmat Operations (includes Hazmat Awareness), Apparatus Driver Operator- Pumper, Apparatus Driver Operator-Mobile Water Supply (MWS). Note: Within one year at the GS-06 level, the employee is required to be certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). IMPORTANT: Please upload copies of your FF certs and EMR/EMT card. If you have received a Student ID# for the DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program website ( please provide a copy of your most recent certification transcript. Note: If you do not know your Student ID, you may contact the AFCEC Reachback center at View email address on click.appcast.io. If you do not have a Student ID and/or cannot access the Certificate Program site, you must upload a copy of your individual certifications or transcript at the time of your application or you will be removed from consideration. Special Retirement Provisions Authority: FERS Position covered as secondary under the FERS special retirement provisions for Federal firefighters [5 U.S.C. 8401(14), 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), and 5 CFR 842.802]. OR Position covered as secondary under the CSRS special retirement provisions for Federal firefighters [5 U.S.C. 8331(21), 5 U.S.C. 8336(c), and 5 CFR 831.902].