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Firefighter (Emergency Medical Technician, BLS), GS-0081-05/06/07

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Coast Guard

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, Fire & Emergency Services Division, Facilities Engineering Department, Base Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/12/2026 to 02/23/2026
Salary
$41,341 to - $66,574 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Location
4 vacancies in the following location:
Elizabeth City, NC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
26-12866023-NE-KA-ST
Control number
857487400

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is to perform firefighting and a variety of rescue/emergency response and fire prevention duties in the protection of personnel, property and equipment.

Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include:

  • Driving and operating firefighting and special purpose vehicles of significant complexity (e.g. ARFF apparatus, structural pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, emergency rescue vehicle, HAZMAT response vehicle).
  • Responding to HAZMAT incidents including hazard recognition, monitoring, containment, mitigation, and decontamination activities.
  • Rendering emergency medical services as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Life Support (BLS).
  • Communicating verbally and in writing during routine operations, emergency incidents, training activities, and field exercises, utilizing radios and reporting systems.
GS-05 and 06 Levels are developmental positions with less complex duties and will be performed under closer supervision. Training requirements include progressively more complex certifications to perform at the full performance level at GS-07

KEY POSITION: This position is designated as a key position. In the event of a crisis situation, war, or mobilization, the incumbent must continue to perform the duties to support mission requirements. A member of the Ready Reserve may not fill the position on a permanent basis. If filled by a member of the Ready Reserve, appropriate action must be undertaken to change the incumbent's reserve status to a status other than that of Ready Reserve.
This position is identified as Essential Personnel to support the operation of BASE Elizabeth City, NC.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: This position requires a maximum entry age for an initial appointment; applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit, but who have previously serviced as a federal employee in a covered position, may be eligible to re-enter the firefighter/LEO service provided that they: (1) meet all applicable qualifications for the position and (2) will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered an creditable Federal fire/LEO service by the time the firefighter/LEO reached the age of 57.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Working conditions include such factors as extreme heat; thick and potentially toxic smoke, heights, enclosed and/or smoke-filled spaces, wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus while carrying heavy loads, which may exceed 100 pounds.

Applicants are required to meet the physical requirements of the position in accordance with NFPA 1582 and must participate in a daily physical fitness program to effectively perform the rigorous tasks required of the position.

Expected to actively participate in a department approved physical fitness exercise and wellness program designed to maximize job performance on guidance from NFPA 1500, Fire department Occupational Safety and Health Program, NFPA 1582, and NFPA 1583, Health Related Fitness for Firefighters. Fitness program will include fitness assessments as outlined in NFPA 1582 and NFPA 1583.Required to wear all PPE issued or made available in the workcenter.

IMPORTANT: If you have received a Student ID# for the DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program website (https:// go.usa.gov/xdsTR) please provide a copy of your most recent certification transcript. Note: If you do not know your Student ID, you may contact the AFCEC Reach back center at: afcec.rbc@us.af.mil.

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. If submitting multiple certifications, please combine into a single file for upload.

You MUST upload certificate file or certificate transcript under the "Transcripts/Certifications" under Required Document attachments in order to be considered.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. This includes Time-In-Grade requirements for current status employees applying through merit promotion procedures. Status applicants applying for a promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade.

Must meet the entrance and retention requirements of NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments.

Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume:

  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
  • Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Key Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • Applicant is required to meet the physical requirements of the position
  • Maximum entry age restriction (37)
  • To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a Public Trust clearance.
  • This IS a Bargaining Unit position.
  • Selectee must be able to obtain/maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • Selectee subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical exam.
  • Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.
  • This position requires the selectee to pass a pre-employment drug test.
NOTE: This position is designated as a key position. In the event of a crisis situation, war, or mobilization, the incumbent must continue to perform the duties to support mission requirements. A member of the Ready Reserve may not fill the position on a permanent basis. If filled by a member of the Ready Reserve, appropriate action must be undertaken to change the incumbent's reserve status to a status other than that of Ready Reserve.

The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-05 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS- 04 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

  • Experience assisting in fire suppression and emergency response activities
  • Experience participating in aircraft rescue and firefighting operations or training exercises
  • Experience assisting with emergency medical response activities, providing patient care or support within the scope of training or certification
  • Experience performing physically demanding work in emergency or operational environments, including wearing personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus, working in adverse conditions, and participating in drills.
Quality Ranking Factors(s) are knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies. Applicants who possess advanced fire service certifications may receive additional consideration during the evaluation, such as:
  • Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) certification

To qualify at the GS-06 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS- 05 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
  • Experience in structural firefighting, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), hazardous materials response, and emergency medical response.
  • Experience in aircraft rescue and firefighting operations including assisting with apparatus positioning, handline or turret operations, agent application, aircraft familiarization, and rescue support functions.
  • Experience performing hazardous materials response activities including hazard recognition, isolation, defensive control actions, monitoring, and decontamination support.
  • Experience participating in the operation of firefighting and emergency response apparatus, including engines, ARFF vehicles, aerial apparatus, rescue vehicles, and special purpose units.
  • Experience performing emergency medical response within the scope of certification, including patient assessment, basic life support, treatment, and support during medical and trauma emergencies.
Quality Ranking Factors(s) are knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies. Applicants who possess advanced fire service certifications may receive additional consideration during the evaluation, such as:
  • Multiple Driver certifications
To qualify at the GS-07 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS- 06 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
  • Experience driving and operating firefighting and special purpose vehicles of significant complexity (e.g. ARFF apparatus, structural pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, emergency rescue vehicle, HAZMAT response vehicle).
  • Experience using turrets or handlines to combat fires on aircraft and to cool weapons or fuel cells during aircraft crash rescue operations.
  • Experience Responds to HAZMAT incidents including hazard recognition, monitoring, containment, mitigation, and decontamination activities.
  • Experience rendering emergency medical services as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Life Support (BLS).
  • Experience performing patient assessment, stabilization, treatment, and preparation for transport during medical and trauma emergencies.

Quality Ranking Factors(s) are knowledge, skills, and abilities/competencies. Applicants who possess advanced fire service certifications such as:
  • Fire Officer I
  • Fire Inspector I
  • Fire Instructor I
  • or higher-level equivalent certifications


NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.


National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.

Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).

College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Additional information

Due Weight
Due weight will be given to performance appraisals & incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

E-Verify
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights & responsibilities.

Fair Chance Act
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security & its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) & 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to Kimberley.L.Alston@uscg.mil.

Suitability Statement
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, & to sign & certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Shared Certificates Statement
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Special Employment Consideration
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), & or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, & persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, & competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment & to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

If selection is made below the full performance level, the incumbent may be promoted up to the target grade without further competition, if all legal & regulatory requirements are met & when recommended by the supervisor. However, promotion to the full performance level is not guaranteed & is dependent on successful performance at the lower grade level(s).

Moving expenses will NOT be paid.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application & hiring process, please contact Kimberley.L.Alston@uscg.mil. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation

More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, & unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training, along with any applicable assessments, will be rated. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. The necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to perform this job are:

  • Fire Suppression and Emergency Response
  • Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF)
  • Hazardous Materials Response
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Physical Readiness and Safety
  • Emergency Medical Response


To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12866023

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures. View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation. CTAP and ICTAP Eligibles: CTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position. If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. Individuals must be well-qualified by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf

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