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FIREFIGHTER (HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OPERATIONS)-DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Veteran's preference does not apply to DHA recruitment.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Firefighter assigned to a crew engaged in airfield, structural firefighting, crash-rescue and Hazardous Materials Operations (HAZMAT).

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 07/16/2026
Closed date: 07/16/2026
Location
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$45,409 - $59,031 per year

Salary listed is EGLIN AFB, if you are selected for a different location your salary is dependent upon that duty location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Term - 1 OCT 2029
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
AFMC-008106-13001903-JDH
Control number
876756000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

Duties

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  • Performs hazard and risk assessment techniques in completing initial incident analysis.
  • Performs crash-rescue and firefighting duties involving air traffic or support operations where hazardous conditions are such that the expectancy for fire is high and potential for becoming destructive is great.
  • Performs structural firefighting duties for a variety of facilities, which may include large multistoried buildings, industrial areas and/or base storage facilities.
  • Performs rescue of personnel and a variety of first aid measures.
  • Maintains firefighting equipment and fire station facilities.
  • Complies with health, safety and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • This position may require drug testing, and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Recruitment incentives may/may not be authorized
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • This position may require travel.
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
  • The employee is required to work a 144 hour pay period on a 48 on / 48 off basis which includes weekends and holidays.
  • May be subject to recall.
  • Employee must have an appropriate, valid driver's license.
  • Employee is required to be certified by the Department of War (DoD) Firefighter Certification System as Airport Firefighter (includes Firefighter I and II), HAZMAT Awareness and HAZMAT Operations.
  • Employee must participate in a mandatory physical fitness program.

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0081, Fire Protection and Prevention Series.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have at least one year of the specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
(GS-05), pay band or equivalent or 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study. Specialized experience is described as (1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; (2) rescue operations; (3) detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; (4) operation of fire communications equipment; (5) controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or (6) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.

Ideal Candidate: Term Firefighter (GS-0081-06) to serve as a Firefighter assigned to a crew engaged in airfield, structural firefighting, crash-rescue, and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Operations and assist in reducing and/or eliminating potential fire hazards and reacting to the presence or potential releases of hazardous materials as a first responder to protect persons, property, and the environment.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-06 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Knowledge of hazardous materials emergency response procedures, equipment and identification.
  2. Knowledge of basic and specialized airfield and structural firefighting equipment (fire alarm system operations, fire extinguishing equipment operations, etc.), techniques and procedures.
  3. Knowledge of basic building design, construction and occupancy and of the latest changes in aircraft cockpit design, ordnance placement and cabin layouts to include the operation of hatch or canopy release mechanisms, ejection seat mechanisms and/or oxygen supply systems.
  4. Knowledge of emergency first aid techniques; and of safety requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards, regulations and/or technical orders.
  5. Skill in operating communications equipment.
  6. Ability to maintain good working relations; to communicate orally and in writing; to lift and carry heavy loads; and to apply emergency first aid techniques.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: Title 5 U.S.C. 3307 authorizes the head of any agency to establish a maximum entry age for the original appointment of individuals to the position of primary and rigorous firefighter. The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for original appointment to a position as a Firefighter. This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian firefighting position covered by title 5 U.S.C. section 3307 provisions OR qualified veteran preference eligible covered by title 5 U.S.C. 3307.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
*PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Perform strenuous physical activities such as lifting heavy firefight equipment, climbing standard and aerial ladders, and lifting and carrying people and equipment for rescue and salvage. NOTE: THIS POSITION REQUIRES A PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL.

*WORK ENVIRONMENT: Firefighters are regularly exposed to a variety of dangerous situations such as fires that are out of control, toxic spills, or possible explosions. Hazards include: Burns, dehydration, and other effects of heat, smoke inhalation, falling materials, or explosions; Exposure to toxic materials and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive agents; Physical injury and sensory damage from firefighting activities and noise levels; Dealing with victims in varying stages of fright, panic and injury; Operating or riding on fire truck under adverse conditions or flying in aircraft to reach crash sites of fires in outlying areas.

*Special Retirement Provisions Authority:
- FERS
Position covered as rigorous under the FERS special retirement provisions for Federal firefighters [5 U.S.C. 8401(14), 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), and 5 CFR 842.802]. Authority, Under Secretary of Defense Memo, dated 30 December 2004.
- CSRS
Position covered as rigorous under the CSRS special retirement provisions for Federal firefighters [5 U.S.C. 8331(21), 5 U.S.C. 8336(c), and 5 CFR 831.902]. Authority, Under Secretary of Defense Memo, dated 30 December 2004.

Additional information

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

This job announcement may close at any time - apply now!

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Air Force Materiel Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • US Citizen

Agency contact information

Air Force Test Center Recruitment
Email
AFTC.Enterprise.Recruiting@us.af.mil
Address
AF Test Center
6437 6th Street
Bldg 430, Rm 119
Hill AFB, UT 84056
US

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