FIREFIGHTER (BASIC LIFE SUPPORT/HAZMAT TECHNICIAN)

Duties

• Responds to alarms and combats fires, requiring the full performance of firefighting tasks.
• Evacuates and rescues occupants; takes vital signs, stabilizes victim stops all external bleeding.
• Serves as a driver-operator of major motorized firefighting equipment.
• Performs fire protection inspections in low risk areas where no unusual fire hazards are expected and potential severity is low.
• Serves as a member of the Hazardous Material Technician team for incident response.

Requirements

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 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 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) 1500, Fire Department Occupational Health and Safety Program.
• This position requires participation in a cardiovascular physical fitness program.
• Incumbent must obtain and maintain a "Secret" Clearance.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education/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 .

To qualify at the GS-05 grade level: I have one year of specialized experience at the GS-04 grade level which includes responding to alarms and combats fires; responding to emergency calls for assistance and renders preliminary care to victims; and using first aid equipment such as saline solution, blood pressure cuff, to treat victims. (GS-04).
Must also possess the required IFSAC/Pro Board certifications: Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Hazardous Materials Operation.

To qualify at the GS-06 grade level: I have one year of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level which includes responding to alarms and combats fires; responding to emergency calls for assistance and renders preliminary care to victims; and using first aid equipment such as bag mass resuscitator, gauze, tape, saline solution, blood pressure cuff, splints, bandages, to treat victims. (GS-05).
Must also possess the required IFSAC/Pro Board certifications: Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operation, CPR & AED, Driver Operator Pumper and Driver Operator Mobile Water Supply.

To qualify at the GS-07 grade level: I have one year of specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level which includes evacuates and rescues occupants, administering emergency medical aid to include cardiopulmonary respiration; serving as a driver-operator of one or more types of major motorized firefighting equipment under all types of conditions; operating pumps, foam generators, boom and groundsweep nozzles, and other similar equipment and performing fire protection inspections in low risk areas. (GS-06).
Must also possess the required IFSAC/Pro Board certifications: Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, HazMat Technician, Driver Operator Pumper, Driver/Operator Mobile Water Supply and State of PA or National certification: Emergency Medical Technician - EMT.

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. This position has been identified by Department of Army and approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness as a covered primary, rigorous position for special retirement coverage as identified in 5 CFR 831 Subpart I for CSRS Retirement coverage and 5 CFR 842 Subpart H for FERS retirement coverage. The individual hired is subject to Special Retirement provisions to include additional contributions to the retirement fund, mandatory separation/retirement at age 57 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service, options for early retirement at any age after 25 years of approved special retirement provisions service, or at age 50 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service.

Department of Defense (DoD), in accordance with 5 USC 3307, has determined an individual must be appointed to their first/original appointment into a DoD position that has been identified and approved as a primary firefighter no later than the last day of the month in which they become 37. Preference eligible veterans over the age of 37, may apply regardless of the age restriction. If selected, a waiver of the age restriction will be requested by the hiring official for approval by the Department of Army.

An individual who is past the maximum entry age (37) who previously served in an approved primary position may be reinstated to a covered primary position provided they meet the applicable qualification requirements AND will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered service as a firefighter by the last day of the month in which they become 57.

The Department of Army may approve an exception to the maximum entry age (37) for the original entry of a non-veteran-preference-eligible applicant into a primary covered firefighter position. Exceptions shall be extremely rare and based only on a compelling hardship to the mission. Should an exception be granted, the employee shall be separated on the last day of the month in which he/she completes 20 years of special retirement provisions covered service.

In addition to providing the required eligibility documentation listed elsewhere in this job announcement, you must provide sufficient documentation to determine proof of age. This documentation should be attached under Special Retirement Coverage as identified in the Required Documents section.

For reentry into a primary covered position, you must also provide sufficient documentation (SF-50s) to show length of service in a previous covered firefighter position.

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:

To qualify based on education at the GS-05 grade level you must possess 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

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 information sheet.
• This is a(n) Fire Protection and Prevention 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.