FIREFIGHTER (HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIAN/BLS)
What you'd do
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Firefighter (Hazardous Materials Technician/Basic Life Support) assigned to a crew engaged in airfield and structural firefighting and crash-rescue operations. Drives and operates firefighting vehicles of significant complexity to respond to the presence or potential releases of hazardous materials (HAZMAT).
Major duties
Performs hazard and risk assessment and conducts a complete incident analysis. Performs Basic Life Support. Drives and operates firefighting vehicles, such as pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, and Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles. 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. 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.
What you need to qualify
May be required to work the Fire Alarm and Communications Center (FACC). The work may require the incumbent to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance. This position is designated as a key position IAW AFI 36-507. Duties of this position are essential to the accomplishment of wartime/contingency operations. Incumbents of key positions must be removed from their military recall status if alternative for filling of the position during an emergency are not available. 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. (GS-05) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-04, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of basic and specialized firefighting equipment (fire alarm system operation, fire extinguishing equipment operation, etc.), techniques, and procedures; and of basic hazardous materials emergency response procedures, equipment, and identification. (GS-06) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes combating fires and rescuing personnel in highly dangerous situations; driving and operating complex fire apparatus; performing emergency medical first responder duties; and conducting initial hazardous materials (HAZMAT) operations, which involves employing hazard and risk assessment techniques, establishing interagency communications, planning and implementing initial responses to protect persons and property, and decontaminating HAZMAT equipment. (GS-07) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-06, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes aggressively responding to HAZMAT incidents to plug, patch, or stop the release of hazardous substances utilizing specialized protective clothing and control equipment; employing hazard and risk assessment techniques to develop incident response strategies; and providing Basic Life Support (BLS) by performing patient assessments, monitoring vital signs, managing respiratory and cardiac emergencies (including CPR and AED operation), splinting fractures, and employing established emergency medical techniques to stabilize patients for transport. 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-04 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-05 level. One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-06 level. One year at the GS-06 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 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. 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 to drive and operate firefighting vehicles of significant complexity, and the principles of hydraulics as they pertain to waterflow, water pressure, water levels, line (friction) losses, etc. 2. Knowledge of basic and specialized airfield and structural firefighting equipment (fire alarm system operation, fire extinguishing equipment operation, etc.), techniques, and procedures; and of basic and specialized building design, construction, and occupancy. 3. Knowledge of HAZMAT emergency response procedures, equipment, identification, and mitigation actions. 4. Knowledge of basic life support techniques and protocols; and of safety requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards, regulations, and/or technical orders. 5. Skill in operating communications equipment. 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 FIREFIGHTER INFORMATION: 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-5: Department of Defense (DOD) Firefighter Certification System as Airport Firefighter (includes Firefighter I, II), HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations GS-6: Department of Defense (DOD) Firefighter Certification System as Airport Firefighter (includes Firefighter I, II), HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations, Apparatus Driver Operator-Pumper, Apparatus Driver Operator - Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) GS-7: Department of Defense (DOD) Firefighter Certification System as Airport Firefighter (includes Firefighter I, II), HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations, HAZMAT Technician, Apparatus Driver Operator-Pumper, Apparatus Driver Operator - Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Must have and/must maintain current National Registry Emergency Medical Technical-Basic (EMT-B) certification and/or Virginia State EMT-B Certification.
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