Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

• You will respond to accidents and other emergencies involving injury, illnesses, hazardous environments, and other unknowns.
• Based on the patient's condition, you will open and maintain the airway; provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, identify the symptoms of potential life threatening dangers and provide appropriate treatment and immobilization of injuries.
• You will respond to various alarms and combat fire requiring the full performance of firefighting tasks.
• You will drive and operate fire department vehicles of significant complexity to include firefighting equipment (Fire Engines, Aerial Ladder, ALS Ambulance, Hazardous Materials Response unit), Rescue boats and forklifts as required.

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.
• 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.
• Incumbent must successfully complete an annual emergency vehicle operator's course.
• Temporary Duty travel (TDY) may be required up to 5%; may be required to travel by air and/or ground.
• Must possess and maintain a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Equivalent Certification.

Qualifications

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)

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 which includes responding to fire and rescue incidents such as brush and structural fires, aircraft emergencies and hazmat incidents; AND providing patients with intermediate life support treatment to include performing automatic external defibrillation (AED), conducting electrocardiograms (EKG), starting intravenous fluids, and assisting paramedics in advanced life support situations. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08).

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 meeting the specialized experience above, applicants must also possess: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Driver Operator-Pumper, HAZMAT Technician certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualification System (PRO-Board)in accordance with DoD 6055.06-M. AND a State or National Registry EMT- Paramedic Certification Card indicating a future expiration date. Note: You must attach copies of your certificates. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

Employees hired for the first time ("originally hired") into GS-0081 positions must not exceed the established Maximum Entry Age (MEA) at the time of appointment. The MEA for Firefighters (FFs) is 37. An employee originally hired into a covered FF position must be hired by the last day of the month he/she reaches 37 unless a waiver from Department of Army is approved prior to appointment.

PHYSICAL EFFORT/WORKING CONDITIONS: Rigorous, heavy physical effort is required in the frequent handling of objects such as cylinders and extinguishers weighing 50 lbs or more; may be required to lift/carry personnel such as an adult male in emergency situations. Duties require the full use of both arms, both legs and fingers to bend, turn, pull, crawl, kneel, and climb for such tasks as use of aerial ladders, firefighting equipment controls, arranging/connecting hoses, rappelling, operation of fire truck and all types of rescue operations, etc. The incumbent must be able to meet and maintain physical agility and stamina standards, which are established for this position. This position requires the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions. When responding to an emergency the incumbent may be subject to dense smoke, flames, extreme heat, cold, dust, water, and possible explosions and exposure to toxic fumes and materials. Must be able to maintain necessary alertness, self-control, and emotional stability under emergency conditions.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.