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Firefighter (Paramedic/Hazmat Technician)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Round Hill, Virginia
Closing date
Oct 1, 2020
Duties

Summary

The ideal candidate has experience in hazardous firefighting, rescue operations and currently have the firefighter certifications: Firefighter I & II, Fire Inspector I, Fire Officer I, Driver/Operator Pumper, State EMT-P and Hazmat Technician. This position starts at a salary of $59,534 (GS-09). Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (MWEOC) team within FEMA.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

In this position, you will serve as a Firefighter (Paramedic/Hazmat Tech) to provide a full range of fire protection and prevention support activities to the MWEOC Facility. Typical assignments include:
  • Operating and maintaining firefighting trucks and equipment.
  • Operating specialized equipment to combat hazardous fire situations.
  • Performing advanced assessment and treatment of patients.
  • Providing fire and safety training using a wide variety of materials.
  • Extinguishing fires in situations involving hazards that are difficult to recognize.

When disaster strikes, America looks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Now FEMA looks to you. Join our team and use your talent to support Americans in their times of greatest need. FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages Federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. We foster innovation, reward performance and creativity, and provide challenges on a routine basis with a well-skilled, knowledgeable, high performance workforce. Please visit www.fema.gov for additional information.

All MWEOC staff have emergency assignments and are considered deployed in place. Exercises and activations are planned and unplanned, and may require long hours, nights, weekends and holidays.

All MWEOC employees are: (1) required to use a government-issued electronic device (to include cellular phones); (2) subject to recall during emergency situations; and (3) required to perform work in locations both above and below ground.

EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT: Every FEMA employee has regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires routine deployment to disaster sites. All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - This position may require minimal non-emergency travel up to 5%.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
09

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • Selective Service registration required.
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
  • Applicants subject to a maximum entry age of 37 for initial appointment.
  • Please review "Other Information" section for additional key requirements.


To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo, successfully pass, and maintain a background investigation for Top Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check after initial job qualifications are determined, a review of financial issues, such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs (please visit: Mythbuster on Federal Hiring Policies for additional information). For more information on background investigations for Federal jobs please visit OPM Investigations .

Please ensure you meet the qualification requirements described below.


Qualifications

The qualification requirements listed below must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You qualify for this position at the GS-09 level (starting salary $59,534) if you possess the following: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-08) in the Federal Service. This experience may have been gained in the federal government, a state or local government, a non-profit organization, the private sector, or as a volunteer; however, your resume must clearly describe at least one year of specialized experience. Specialized experience for this position includes:
  • Utilizing firefighting apparatus and equipment AND;
  • Using Advance Life Support (ALS) equipment AND;
  • Performing field electro-cardiology (ECG) procedures AND;
  • Operating Hazardous Material response equipment.


In addition to the specialized experience you must be able to submit proof of the following certifications with your application (failure to attach the required documents to your application package will result in an ineligible status for the position):
  • Firefighter I
  • Firefighter II
  • Fire Inspector I
  • Fire Officer I
  • Hazardous Materials Technician
  • Driver/Operator Pumper
  • Current State EMT-P License

The following certifications are required to be obtained within one year of employment:
  • Driver/Operator Aerial
  • National Registry EMT-P License
  • Fire Inspector II

This is a primary firefighter position under the special retirement provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) and 8412 (d). Appointees to positions covered under these provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of initial appointment. Applicants over age 37 with previous firefighter experience under CSRS/FERS, may have their previous firefighter experience credited to determine if age requirement met.

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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

NOTE: Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. For a brief video on How to Create a Federal Resume, click here .

Current or former FEMA Reservists/DAE employees: To accurately credit your experience for these intermittent positions, make sure to list the dates (from MM/YY to MM/YY) of each deployment, along with the job title and specific duties you were responsible for during each deployment. Failure to provide this information may result in disqualification.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

  • This position has been identified as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) because of its security, public health, and/or public safety sensitivity, you are subject to random drug testing under FEMA's Drug-Free Workplace Plan (DWP). Refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.
  • If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment , and sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
  • DHS uses E-verify, an internet based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.
  • This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
  • A one year probationary period is required for new Federal competitive service employees and new supervisors and managers.
  • If selected for this position, and you have not previously completed these requirements, you are subject to (1) completion of a 2 day onboarding program at your primary duty location; and, (2) completion of a multiple day orientation program within 90-120 days of hire at a location to be determined. Travel associated with the orientation portion of this requirement may be at FEMA's expense.
  • The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans , Peace Corps / VISTA volunteers , and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
  • Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
  • This is a Bargaining Unit position.
  • Required to drive a vehicle and maintain a valid State driver's license.
  • Required to participate in tests and exercises during non-duty work hours.
  • Required to pass a pre-employment and yearly physical exam and maintain a specified medical profile.
  • Required to wear a uniform.
  • May be required to wear various Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to include respirators, mask, self-contained breathing apparatus and armored vest.
  • Required to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays, and emergency overtime when necessary.


How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use your responses to the job questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education, and training. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
  • Technical Proficiency
  • Communication

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
  • Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
  • Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
  • Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

  • If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.

    We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.

    Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference .

    Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the "well-qualified" category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

    Interview Requirement: Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from consideration.

    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Top Secret

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

    Trust determination process

    Required Documents

  • Your resume.
  • Your responses to the job questionnaire- You will be directed to the online job questionnaire once you begin the application process for this position.
  • Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or other acceptable documentation (i.e., a letter from your Command reflecting rank, dates of service, and type of discharge), which verifies veteran's status and type of discharge prior to the closing date of this announcement. Those applying for 10-Point preference may fill out the SF-15 and/or provide documentation that demonstrates preference eligibility. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions, within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. This must indicate your dates of service, expected release dates, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable or general conditions. View more veterans' information .
  • Your Required Certifications. Submit copies of the required certifications as listed in the "Qualifications" section of this Job Opportunity Announcement
  • Are you claiming prior Federal Firefighter service? Submit:
    • A copy of each of your SF-50's documenting the beginning and ending dates of each period of prior firefighter service.
  • Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)? Submit:
    • a copy of your agency notice,
    • a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
    • a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location
  • Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
  • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
    • Position Title
    • Type of Appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee)
      Agency
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment


  • If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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