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Lead Firefighter (HazMat Tech/Basic LS)

Department of Defense
Washington Headquarters Services
Raven Rock Mountain Complex, Fire & Emergency Services Division

Summary

This position is located in the Washington Headquarters Services, Raven Rock Mountain Complex (RRMC) in the fire and Emergency Services Division. Serves as a Lead Firefighter for the Installation, which is composed of a large nationally critical underground communications facility and three satellite sites with substantial quantities and varieties of combustible and valuable equipment and supplies.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/24/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 24, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$63,940 - $83,119 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
IMP-13003206-26-KG
Control number
875897700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to Raven Rock Mountain Complex (RRMC) employees ONLY, and DoD PPP Military Spouse Preference applicants

Duties

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This position is located at the Raven Rock Mountain Complex (RRMC). As a Lead Firefighter (HazMat Tech/BLS), GS-0081-08, the incumbent's typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Directs a crew of firefighters and driver/operators in responding to structural, wildland, and crash-rescue emergencies; assumes full incident command responsibilities for all firefighting, rescue, and medical incidents in the absence of a supervisor.

  • Responds to the release of hazardous substances in complex environments (including confined spaces and high-voltage power plants), aggressively mitigating hazards by cooling, plugging, patching, dictating, or neutralizing materials using specialized protective gear and control equipment.

  • Responds to medical emergencies, providing Basic Life Support (BLS) to perform patient assessments, monitor vital signs, manage respiratory/cardiac emergencies (using CPR and AEDs), and stabilize victims for medical transport.

  • Operates and leads others in the use of central alarm room equipment, including radio communications, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, and fire alarm reporting systems to coordinate multi-agency emergency responses.

  • Leads subordinates in conducting fire prevention inspections of industrial, assembly, and office areas; tests fire alarm/protection systems; and conducts formal training sessions on fire safety and equipment maintenance for civilian and military personnel.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment
  • Required to participate in the direct deposit program
  • This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
  • This position is subject to Priority Placement Program (PPP) DOD Military Spouse Preference
  • This position requires you to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance as a condition of employment
  • This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is subject to both pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing as a condition of continued employment
  • This position requires you to successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination and participate in yearly physical examinations as a condition of continued employment
  • The employee assigned to this position is designated as a MISSION ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE
  • This position requires the use of specialized protective equipment, including Tyvek suits and respirators, while working in hazardous areas or confined spaces
  • This position requires the incumbent to work a non-standard shift structure consisting of 24 hours per day, 72 hours per week, and 144 hours per pay period
  • You may be required to work hours other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime
  • This position requires you to currently possess and maintain valid certifications in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) operation
  • This position requires you to currently possess an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification
  • The incumbent must obtain and maintain a Pennsylvania (PA) State Certification as an EMT or Paramedic within one (1) year of your entry on duty
  • This position requires you to wear an official uniform while performing your duties
  • This is a bargaining unit position

Qualifications

The employee assigned to this position is designated as a MISSION ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE. Mission essential employees are required to report for, or remain at, work during dismissal or closure situations due to adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, or other emergencies causing disruptions to government operations. You must maintain contact with your supervisor during any closure situation unless specifically excused.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.

You may qualify at the GS-08 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your experience:

  • Applying tactical firefighting techniques in hazardous environments and managing rescue efforts; and
  • Providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level (such as performing initial patient assessments, recording vital signs, stabilizing patients); and
  • Operating firefighting apparatus and equipment (such as pumps, hoses, SCBA).


In addition to meeting the specialized experience described below, applicants must possess and maintain the following professional certifications. You must upload copies of these active certifications with your application package to be deemed qualified for this position. Failure to submit copies of these mandatory certifications at the time of application will result in an automatic rating of ineligible.

DoD, IFSAC, or Pro Board Certifications:

  • Firefighter I and Firefighter II
  • Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Awareness, Operations, Technician
  • HazMAT Incident Commander
  • Fire Officer I
  • Fire Instructor I
  • Fire Inspector I
  • Public Telecommunicator I and Public Telecommunicator II
  • Airport Firefighter
  • Driver/Operator-Pumper
  • Driver/Operator Mobile Water Supply
  • Airport Firefighter and Driver/Operator Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
Additional Required Training (Non-Pro Board/IFSAC):
  • Confined Space Rescue Awareness
  • Confined Space Operations
  • Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) - Must successfully complete and maintain EVOC in addition to any driver/operator certifications listed above.

Special Retirement Provisions: This position is covered as a rigorous position under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) special retirement provisions for federal firefighters 5 U.S.C. § 8401(14), 5 U.S.C. § 8412(d), and 5 CFR § 842.802. Covered under the Deputy Secretary of Defense (formerly Under Secretary of Defense) Memorandum, dated December 30, 2004. Note: This coverage requires a mandatory retirement age (typically age 57 with 20 years of covered service) and is subject to maximum entry-age restrictions for initial appointment.


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.

All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include

ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active-duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active-duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active-duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible". Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Additional information

Probationary Periods: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing an online application, you may request an alternative application. Please send an email to the following address for information on how to obtain an alternative application: whs.job.application.assistance@mail.mil

Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants (DODI 1400.25, volume 300). http://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/

Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications and mandatory certification requirements outlined above.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Evaluation: This position utilizes a single-hurdle assessment method consisting of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel review. Traditional automated occupational questionnaires and USA Hire assessments will not be administered.

Qualified applicant resumes and supporting documentation will be independently evaluated by a panel of SMEs using a standardized, competency-based scoring rubric developed during the job analysis. The Human Resources Directorate (HRD) will consolidate the SME ratings to determine final eligibility and generate the referral certificate accordingly.

Please ensure your resume explicitly documents how your experience aligns with the specialized experience and mandatory certifications listed in this announcement.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Fire Suppression
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Leadership

DOD PPP candidates using Application-Based Procedures:

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD-3145-4) dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference.

Washington Headquarters Services

The Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) is a world-class service organization, with a dynamic workforce and unwavering commitment to service excellence. WHS is the essential services provider for the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), Department of War (DOW) agencies, and offices in the National Capital Region.

Agency contact information

Washington HQ Services
Email
whs.job.application.assistance@mail.mil
Address
WHS Raven Rock Mountain Complex
Human Resources Directorate
4800 Mark Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22350
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Washington Headquarters Services, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.whs.mil/

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