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Assistant Fire Chief

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Coast Guard
TRACEN, Cape May, NJ

Summary

This vacancy is for a GS-0081-9, Assistant Fire Chief located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, TRACEN CAPE MAY STRUCTURES in CAPE MAY, New Jersey.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/13/2026 to 02/22/2026
Salary
$68,013 to - $88,421 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
Cape May, NJ
1 vacancy
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
9
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-12873800-NE-BMM-ST
Control number
857665200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates, Merit Promotion, Current Federal Employees, Former Federal Employees, Overseas Employees, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA , VEOA, 30% Disabled, Schedule A, Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, Land and Base Management, Peace Corps, Americorps, Vista For definitions of common terms found in this announcement: http://dhsconnect.dhs.gov/org/comp/mgmt/dhshr/hr/Documents/JOA_Common_Definitions.pdf

Duties

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This position is located in the Fire & Emergency Services Division, Facilities Engineering Department, USCG Training Center Cape May (TCCM) in New Jersey. You will serve as the Assistant Fire Chief responsible for performing 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:

  • Providing structural firefighting, rescue, fire prevention, emergency medical service personnel response, hazardous material (HAZMAT) technician-level leak-spill-fire control, confined space entry and rescue, and training.
  • Developing work schedules, assigns, directs, and reviews the work assigned military and civilian Firefighter.
  • Revising firefighting strategies, department and facility program elements to meet changing needs, and coordinates implementation.
  • Performing, organizing and/or directing comprehensive on-site inspections and surveys worksites on a recurring basis to identify and evaluate conditions which may be hazardous.
  • Reviewing inspection reports for technical violations cited and tracks organization's enforcement responses to ensure timely and appropriate enforcement actions are taken.
  • Planning and reviewing emergency preparedness procedures and operations.
MAXIMUM AGE RESTRICTION: This position meets the definition for "primary/rigorous position" contained in 5 CFR 842.802 and is subject to a maximum entry age of 37. The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for initial appointment. This does not apply to preference eligible veterans or to applicants who previously served in a covered position. You must complete a pre-employment physical prior to employment.
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.

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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

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.
  • Under provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, first time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • 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.
  • Applicant is required to meet the physical requirements of the position
  • The applicant is subject to pre-appointment and random drug testing.
  • This position is not in a Bargaining Unit position.
  • Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license and safe driving record.
  • Selectee works rotating and floating shifts.
  • Maximum entry age restriction (37).
  • Subject to recall and off-duty status as emergency operations necessitate.
  • 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.
Incumbent must obtain and maintain Confined Space Rescue Technician certification within one (1) year of hire.

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

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.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify for this position, you MUST meet all of the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

MINIMUM QUALIFYING SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, an applicant's one full year of specialized experience must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for successful job performance.

In order to qualify for this position at the GS-09 level, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you have one full year of the minimum qualifying specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-07 level in the federal service. Examples of the minimum qualifying specialized experience equal to the GS-07 level include performing the following types of tasks on a regular and recurring basis:

  • Performing emergency response duties in fire suppression, emergency medical, hazardous materials, or rescue operations, including serving as a senior crew member or acting lead when assigned; conducting routine inspections, testing, or maintenance of fire protection systems, apparatus, or equipment; participating in fire prevention, life safety, or emergency preparedness activities; supporting training, drills, or exercises related to emergency operations; and assisting with inspections, reviews, or documentation to support compliance with applicable fire protection or safety standards.

Additional Qualification Requirements: In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement above, applicants must also possess all certifications below:
- Proboard, DOD, or IFSAC Fire Fighter I & II
- Proboard, DOD, or IFSAC Hazardous Materials Technician
- Proboard, DOD, or IFSAC HazMat Incident Commander
- Proboard, DOD, or IFSAC Fire Officer III
- Proboard, DOD, or IFSAC Fire Inspector II
- Proboard, DOD, or IFSAC Fire Instructor II
- CPR/AED
- ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, and IS 800 FEMA Incident Command Certificates
- National Registry, Emergency Medical Technician
- Emergency Vehicle Operators Course


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.

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 bre'anna.m.miles@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 you need a reasonable accommodation for the application & hiring process, please contact bre'anna.m.miles@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:

  • Emergency Preparedness & Incident Management
  • Fire & Emergency Program Audits and Evaluation
  • Leadership & Workforce Development
  • Technical Fire Protection & Risk Mitigation–



To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12873800

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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