Firefighter (Basic Life Support)
Veterans Health Administration
Posted: January 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Air Education and Training Command
Department of the Air Force
Location
Texas
Salary
$36,409 - $59,031
per year
Type
Closes
Entry salary: $30,286 | Full performance (GS-6): up to $49,094
Career ladder: Start at GS-4 and advance to GS-6 with experience.
Typical requirements: 1 year general experience. 2 years college or associate degree.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This entry-level firefighter position in the Air Force involves driving specialized vehicles to fight structural fires, performing rescues, and helping prevent fire hazards on base.
It's a developmental role starting at GS-04 or higher, leading to full performance at GS-06 with on-the-job training and promotion potential.
Ideal candidates are physically fit individuals with some firefighting experience or related education, eager to work in a team-oriented military environment.
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
The primary purpose of this position as a GS-04/05/06 is to serve as a firefighter assigned to drive and operate firefighting vehicles of significant complexity engaged in structural firefighting and rescue operations and assist in reducing and/or eliminating potential fire hazards.
Conditions of Employment Continued: The position requires a pre-employment physical examination. This is a developmental position to full performance GS-06.
This position may be filled at the GS-04, GS-05 or GS-06 with promotion to the GS-06.
The individual selected for this position may be promoted to the target level without further competition upon meeting any legal and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications: In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements 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 GS-04: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-03, or equivalent in other pay systems.
Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the positions: (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.
OR EDUCATION: Completed two years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, or other related fields.
(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience as described above may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-05: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-04, or equivalent in other pay systems which demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the positions: (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.
OR EDUCATION: Completed four years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors degree with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study.
(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience as described above may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-06: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, equivalent in other pay systems (may have been obtained in the federal service, military, or private sector).
My experience demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the positions: (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.
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.
NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
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.
For initial appointments, applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by date of appointment.
This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian fire fighting position covered by title 5 U.S.C.
section 3307 provisions OR to qualified veteran preference eligibles who may be eligible for waivers in accordance with section 3 of DoDI 1400.25-V336.
NOTE: Applicants who are past the maximum entry age, are re-entering into a primary/rigorous position and have previous special retirement coverage service - may be eligible to be rehired or reinstated to a primary/rigorous covered position without requiring a maximum entry age waiver if he/she will be able to complete 20 years of covered service by age 57.
Effective 1 Jun 00, all DoD firefighters and contract fire and emergency service personnel must be certified at the next higher level before being eligible for promotion to that level.
Applicants must list their current firefighter related licenses and certificates on their resumes.
Please attach copies of certifications when you submit the resume to verify qualification requirements for the position.
Certification requirements for this position are: GS-0081-04: Firefighter II (Includes Firefighter I), HAZMAT Operations (Includes HAZMAT Awareness).
GS-0081-05- Firefighter II (Includes Firefighter I), HAZMAT Operations (Includes HAZMAT Awareness), Driver Operator/Pumper GS-0081-06- Firefighter II (Includes Firefighter I), HAZMAT Operations (Includes HAZMAT Awareness), Driver Operator/Pumper, Driver/Operator, Mobile Water Supply (MWS) and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) IMPORTANT: Please upload copies of your FF certs and EMR/EMT card.
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 Reachback 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.
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]. 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]. Major Duties:
This is a developmental position with known promotion potential to the target position of Firefighter, GS-0081-06. Duties: For GS-04/05/06 1.
Drives and operates firefighting vehicles, such as pumpers and aerial ladder trucks. 2.
Performs structural firefighting duties for a variety of facilities which may include research and/or large industrial complexes. 3.
Performs rescue of personnel and a variety of first aid measures to alleviate further injury and prepare the victim(s) for transport to a medical facility. 4.
Maintains firefighting equipment and fire station facilities. Performs functional tests and inspections.
Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and housekeeping duties associated with assigned facilities. 5.
Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes