Fire Protection Specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency•Round Hill, VA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Fire Protection Specialist (Fire Marshal) works as a member of the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (MWEOC) Fire Services Branch, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, approximately 60 miles west of Washington, DC. The position manages and inspects a facility for fire hazards, using fire protection and prevention methods to reduce or eliminate hazards without impairing mission objectives. The role includes conducting fire and life safety inspections of varied structures; developing and overseeing inspection activities; reviewing plans for new construction and renovation projects for compliance with applicable fire protection codes and standards; and administering and delivering public fire and life safety training and education. The specialist also performs firefighting duties at fires, EMS, rescue, hazardous materials, and other incidents, and assists with emergency planning and emergency operations center functions. MWEOC employees have emergency assignments and are considered deployed in place. Exercises and activations may be planned or unplanned and may involve long hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and recall. Employees may work above and below ground, use a government-issued electronic device, and may need to deploy with little notice to emergency sites, potentially for extended periods and in physically austere conditions. The position involves rotating shifts, overtime when necessary or directed, temporary duty travel, emergency response, and required firefighter physical and medical standards. Employees must wear a uniform and appropriate personal protective equipment.

Requirements

One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level, including using fire prevention techniques to inspect a variety of buildings; assisting in delivery of fire and life safety courses or training; and participating in meetings to develop pre-incident emergency response plans for a facility or area.
Required certifications at application: Firefighter I and II; Hazardous Materials Awareness, Operations, and Technician; Driver/Operator Pumper and Aerial; Fire Officer I and II; Fire Instructor I and II; Fire Inspector I and II; current State EMT certification (Basic or Paramedic); and a valid State driver's license.
Obtain the following certifications within 24 months of appointment: National Registry EMT (Basic or Paramedic), Confined Space Rescue Technician, Incident Safety Officer (ISO), and Health and Safety Officer (HSO).
U.S. citizenship is required.
Successfully pass and maintain a Top-Secret/SCI background investigation; applicants are also subject to applicable credit and other background reviews.
Meet current federal employee time-in-grade requirements, if applicable; current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band.
Be able to obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
Be able to deploy with little or no advance notice anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
Drive a government vehicle and maintain a valid State driver's license.
Maintain the EMS certification held at hiring; a higher certification level may be obtained.
Work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, and overtime when necessary or directed; participate in tests and exercises outside duty hours and respond to recall.
Report for duty during inclement weather, natural disasters, and other emergencies as directed, and remain on duty after the official shift ends when required.
Wear a uniform and safety apparel, and use personal protective equipment such as respirators, masks, self-contained breathing apparatus, and armored vests.
Complete a pre-employment physical and periodic medical examinations, including an NFPA 1582 physical before employment and annually thereafter.
Complete an annual Job Performance Test, participate in a cardiovascular fitness program, and meet and maintain physical agility and stamina standards.
Meet the age requirement for primary firefighter retirement coverage: must not have reached age 37 at initial appointment, subject to the stated consideration of prior covered firefighter service.
Attend a three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland within six months of onboarding.
Complete a one-year probationary period if a new Federal competitive service employee.

Responsibilities

Manage and inspect a facility for fire hazards, applying fire protection and prevention methods to reduce or eliminate hazards without impairing mission objectives.
Conduct fire and life safety inspections of a variety of structures.
Develop and oversee inspection activities.
Review plans for new construction and renovation projects for compliance with fire protection codes and standards.
Administer and deliver public fire and life safety training and education programs.
Perform firefighting duties at fires, EMS, rescue, hazardous materials, and other incidents.
Assist with emergency planning and emergency operations center functions.
Participate in tests and exercises, including outside regular duty hours, and respond when recalled.
Deploy to emergency operations with little or no advance notice, potentially for extended periods.
Drive a government vehicle and maintain required EMS and driver certifications.
Wear a uniform and appropriate personal protective equipment while performing duties.
Complete physical fitness testing and medical examinations, and participate in the cardiovascular fitness program.
Attend temporary duty travel for specialized training and other fire and emergency services duties.