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Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Department of the Army
United States Army Installation Management Command
US ARMY GARRISON - POHAKULOA, Directorate of Emergency and Security

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as a firefighter crewmember and first responder.

This position is included under the provisions of Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and has both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date.
Click here for more information on SRC for Firefighters (Primary/Rigorous)

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/15/2026 to 05/26/2026
Salary
$42,528 - $68,485 per year

GS-05 $42,528-$55,287; GS-06 $47,406-$61,628; GS-07 $52,680-$68,485. Salary negotiation may be available to those new to Federal service.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Hilo, HI
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
7
Supervisory status
No
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
Yes
Announcement number
IPA1-26-12963985-DHA
Control number
869561600

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Duties

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  • You will respond to automatic fire alarms, natural gas leaks, and wildland fires.
  • You will fight fires involving structures, equipment, and facilities; crashed and burning aircraft; and fuel, chemical, and brush fires.
  • You will act as a first responder to medical emergencies and perform emergency medical procedures.
  • You will perform fire protection inspections and maintenance, operational, housekeeping, emergency, and standby duties.
  • You will operate radios, fire reporting systems (Fire House), and computer modem for hazardous material information and performs maintenance tasks on firefighting apparatus, equipment, and facilities.

Requirements

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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 45 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; 24-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 successfully complete an annual emergency vehicle operator’s course.
  • Occasional Temporary Duty travel (TDY) required (not more than 5%).
  • 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.
  • Within one year of hire, you must be certified with the DoD Firefighter or NFPA equivalent Certification levels with Driver Operator-ARFF; NWCG Wildland Firefighter Type II Red Card Certification OR S130 and S190 NWCG certifications.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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

GS-05: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; and operating firefighting equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education: Four years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages.

GS-06: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting with rescue operations; controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; or assisting with detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

GS-07: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes controlling and extinguishing fires; performing rescue operations, conducting inspections to detect, reduce, and eliminate the potential of fire hazards; operation of fire communications equipment; developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention; controlling hazardous materials incidents; operating emergency vehicles under adverse weather and/or traffic conditions; or performing patient examinations to provide patient care. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, at the GS-06 and GS-07 levels, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted

Employees hired for the first time ("originally hired") into primary/rigorous 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 age 37 unless a waiver from Department of Army is approved prior to appointment.

Physical Effort: Rigorous, heavy physical effort is required in the frequent handling of objects such as cylinders and extinguishers weighing 45 lbs or more; may be required to lift/carry people, e.g., an adult male weighing 200 pounds, 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 firefighting equipment/vehicles, and all types of rescue operations, etc. The incumbent must be able to meet and maintain physical agility and stamina standards established for this position.

Working Conditions: This position may require 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 as well as exposure to toxic fumes and materials. When performing EMT duties, may be exposed to infection and contagious diseases. Incumbent must be able to maintain necessary alertness, self-control, and emotional stability under emergency conditions.

You MUST submit a copy of the following: GS-06: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Hazardous Materials Operations levels, Driver/Operator Pumper certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) AND a current Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider (CPR and AED) card. GS-07: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter, Hazmat Operations, Driver Operator - Pumper, Driver Operator - Mobile Water Supply, certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) AND a State or National Registry EMT License or Paramedic license. If your application package does not contain proof of having these certificates and license, your application will be marked as incomplete and you WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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 Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is an Installations Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations.
  • A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.
  • An incentive for student loan repayment may be authorized.

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.

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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

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

United States Army Installation Management Command

This position is located at Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the island of Hawai'i at approximately 6,500 feet in the high plateau between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and the Hualalai volcanic mountains. It includes a small military airstrip known as Bradshaw Army Airfield. The area of approximately 133,000 acres (210 mi2) is the largest United States Department of Defense installation in the state of Hawaii, or anywhere in the Pacific. Please note that PTA is located on a different island than Honolulu and Waikiki, which are located on the island of Oahu. Visit: https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island, http://www.hvcb.org/,https://home.army.mil/pohakuloa/index.php, and https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php for more information.

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
A1-W3RBAA US ARMY INSTALLATION MGMT CMD-HAWAII
DO NOT MAIL
Schofield Barracks, HI 96857
US

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