Firefighter (Hazardous Materials Technician/Basic Life Support)

Full Job Description

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: Position located with the DES - Fire Protection & Prevention Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

This position is included under the provisions of Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and may have both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date.

Click here for more information on SRC for Firefighters (Primary/Rigorous) Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/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.

To Qualify at the GS-03 Level: General Experience: Six months of general experience which included work experience or military service that demonstrated the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the duties of the position.

OR Education/Training: One year of education above the high school level related to fire protection and/or prevention OR six months of appropriate firefighter training.

OR Combination of Education/Training and Experience: A combination of education/training 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 6. Then divide your semester hours of education by 30 and/or months of firefighter training by 6.

Add the two percentages.

To Qualify at the GS-04 Level: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: Following detailed instructions to assist with basic firefighting duties, such as using and/or maintaining basic firefighting equipment; or maintaining a clean environment in the department facilities.This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-03).

OR Education: Two years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, 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 60. Add the two percentages.

To Qualify at the GS-05 Level: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: Assisting with controlling and extinguishing fires to prevent loss of life and/or property; or assisting with performing rescue operations.

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.

To Qualify at the GS-06 Level: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Assisting with controlling and extinguishing fires to prevent loss of life and/or property; 2) Assisting with performing rescue operations; and 3) Assisting with operating or equipping emergency vehicles for fire and emergency response.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify.

For this GS-06 job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

To Qualify at the GS-07 Level: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Participating in controlling and extinguishing fires to prevent loss of life and/or property; performing rescue operations; 2) Participating in controlling hazardous materials incidents; assisting with patient examinations to provide basic first aid; and 3) Driving emergency vehicles such as pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, crash rescue trucks.

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 GS-07 job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT SPECIAL PLACEMENT FACTORS: In addition to meeting the education/experience requirement above, applicants must also possess the following below certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) in accordance with DoD 6055.06-M AND a State or National Registry EMT Certification indicating a future expiration date when applicable.

To occupy this position at the GS-04, at the time of appointment, you must possess and continue to maintain the following certification: Firefighter I To occupy this position at the GS-05, at the time of appointment, you must possess and continue to maintain the following certification: Firefighter I Firefighter II To occupy this position at the GS-06, at the time of appointment, you must possess and continue to maintain the following certification: Firefighter I Firefighter II Airport Firefighter Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Mobile Water Supply Driver Operator - Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) To occupy this position at the GS-07, at the time of appointment, you must possess and continue to maintain the following certification: Firefighter I Firefighter II HAZMAT Technician Airport Firefighter Emergency Medical Technician (must meet state EMT certification requirements) Driver Operator - Pumper Driver Operator - Mobile Water Supply Driver Operator - Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) You MUST submit a copy of your certifications with your application package.

Maximum Entry Age (MEA) The MEA for Firefighters is 37. An employee originally hired into a covered position must be hired by the last day of the month he/she reaches 37.

Maximum Reentry Age An employee who previously served on a covered position may be rehired past the MEA as long as he/she is able to complete 20 years of covered service by his/her mandatory retirement age.

The maximum re-entry age for the individual is calculated by determining the total amount of time he/she has served on a covered position and subtracting that from age 57 if a firefighter.

The employee's current age is compared to the calculated maximum re-entry age to determine if he/she can be rehired into the covered position.

Waivers to Maximum Entry Age MEA may be waived, but only under specific circumstances and only if approved by the authorized entity: Waivers to MEA for firefighters must be approved by local Command.

Major Duties:

• Connect hose lines to hydrants, lay and extend hose lines, operate charged hose, place and raise ladders, operate portable, mobile and stationary firefighting equipment, use forcible entry equipment, and conduct salvage and overhaul operations.
• Perform firefighting tasks involving structures, equipment, crashes and burning aircraft, wildland fires, vehicle fires, and spilled or burning hazardous materials such as fuels and chemicals.
• Ventilate buildings, vehicles and aircraft of products of incomplete combustion, and smoke and gases as well as potential hazardous materials.
• Respond to emergencies involving traumatic injury or medical illness which may be life threatening.
• Respond to emergencies involving the rescue of victims from confined spaces.
• Function as a Department of Defense certified Hazardous Materials Technician.
• Collect and interpret hazard and response information from printed resources, technical resources, computer databases, and monitoring equipment.
• Analyze hazardous materials incidents to determine the magnitude of the problem in terms of outcome, survey the hazardous materials incident to identify special containers involved, and identify or classify unknown materials.
• Perform emergency fuel and engine system shut down procedures on all types of aircraft.
• Ensure site protection during and after firefighting operations for fire investigation and assist in determining origin and cause of fire.