FIREFIGHTER (HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIAN/BLS)
U.S. Air Force Academy - Department of the Air Force
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, Fire Protection and Prevention Series 0081. 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 (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-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. 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. Individuals who are past the maximum entry age limit (37 years) and have prior Federal civilian firefighter experience covered by title 5 U.S.C. section 8336(c), need to upload their first Appointment SF50’s into a GS-0081 position to verify if age waiver is still required or if that time can be subtracted from your current age and qualify for reentry without the age waiver. 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: Airport Firefighter (includes Firefighter I, II), HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations, HAZMAT Technician, Apparatus Driver Operator – Pumper, Apparatus Driver Operator – Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Apparatus Driver Operator- Mobile Water Supply (MWS), and possess State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) – Basic Life Support (EMT-B) certification. IMPORTANT: 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]. 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: 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. 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. Knowledge of hazardous materials emergency response procedures, equipment, identification, and mitigation actions. Knowledge of Basic Life Suppo1t techniques and protocols; and of safety requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards, regulations, and/or technical orders. Skill in operating communications equipment. Ability to maintain good working relations; to communicate orally and in writing; to lift and cany heavy loads; to apply Basic Life Support techniques and protocols; and to conduct complete HAZMAT incident analysis. 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.
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 assigned to a crew engaged in airfield, structural firefighting, crash-rescue, Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Technician, to drive and operate firefighting vehicles of significant complexity, to respond to the presence or potential releases of hazardous materials for the purpose of