FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALIST (Title 5)

Air National Guard Units•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

This is a National Guard Title 5 excepted-service position with the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 137th Special Operations Wing. The Fire Protection Specialist serves as Assistant Chief of Training in the installation Fire Protection Flight, which has a GS-0811-12 Fire Chief. The position develops and manages comprehensive training programs across the functional areas of fire protection, prevention, safety, and hazardous-material handling. It plans, implements, reviews, and evaluates training objectives and recommends changes as needed. The incumbent plans on-the-job and proficiency training, directs and reviews the work of employees assisting with program activities, observes instruction for compliance with current procedures, and oversees the development of lesson plans using established International Fire Service Training Association guidelines. The role maintains training references and materials, including NFPA resources, National Fire Codes, USAF directives, videos, training aids, kits, and Career Development Course manuals. Training covers fire properties and hazards, firefighting apparatus and tools, extinguishing agents, explosives and nuclear weapons, hydraulics, structural and aircraft firefighting, rescue, and live-fire exercises. The position prepares training schedules, develops and revises instructional materials, evaluates course content and outcomes, and coordinates program changes with the Fire Chief and other assistant chiefs. It conducts recurring proficiency training, announced and unannounced crash-fire and structural exercises, and practical training sessions. The specialist evaluates personnel during training and emergencies, provides coaching and instructional guidance, and advises supervisors and the Fire Chief on participants’ training and performance.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade.
Experience in rescue operations; detecting, reducing, or eliminating potential fire hazards; operating fire communications equipment; controlling hazardous-material incidents; and developing, implementing, or providing fire protection and prevention training.
General experience, education, or training demonstrating the ability to follow directions and read, understand, and retain instructions, regulations, and procedures, and the ability to perform or learn the position’s duties.
Ability to implement firefighting and emergency-response plans and manage and direct fire suppression personnel and equipment in stressful and dangerous conditions.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct functions and to mentor, motivate, appraise, and supervise staff.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Must hold DoD, IFSAC, or Pro-Board certifications in Airport Firefighter; Firefighter I and II; Fire Instructor II; Fire Inspector II; Fire Officer III; HazMat Incident Commander; and ICS 300/400. Official transcripts or certifications must be provided.
If not already certified as Fire Instructor III, must obtain that certification within 365 days of onboarding.
Must meet specified medical standards, including vision and color-discrimination standards, hearing standards, and medical fitness to perform the duties and use breathing apparatus and protective equipment.
Must participate in mandatory physical fitness testing and comply with safety-equipment requirements.
Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing as a Testing Designated Position.
Must have an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Must be able to discern colors, contrast, and depth.
Work requires a 60-hour week on a 9-hour-workday schedule with at least one 24-hour shift per week; may include weekends and holidays. The employee is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless on temporary duty or leave, and may be subject to recall.
May be required to complete a trial period and serve up to a two-year probationary period.
May be required to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
Federal employment suitability is subject to a background investigation.
Must register under the Military Selective Service Act if applicable.

Responsibilities

Develop, manage, implement, review, and evaluate comprehensive fire prevention, safety, hazardous-material handling, and fire protection training programs.
Assess training objectives and recommend changes when necessary.
Plan on-the-job and proficiency training for fire protection and prevention personnel.
Assign, direct, and review the work of employees assisting with training program activities.
Observe instruction conducted by other instructors to ensure compliance with current procedures.
Oversee development of recurring proficiency lesson plans using established IFSTA guidelines.
Maintain fire protection training reference materials and instructional resources.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual training schedules for approval.
Plan and schedule work to meet program goals and objectives.
Develop and revise training materials and update instructional content to incorporate new firefighting methods, techniques, procedures, equipment, and extinguishing agents.
Analyze course content and evaluate training outcomes and program effectiveness; coordinate modifications with the Fire Chief and other assistant chiefs.
Conduct recurring proficiency training in each functional area of fire protection.
Conduct announced crash-fire training and structural exercises, and coordinate unannounced structural and crash-rescue exercises with the Fire Chief.
Participate in practical training sessions and evaluate personnel performance and proficiency during training and actual emergencies.
Coach personnel and provide instructional guidance on practical and academic projects, including automobile extraction.
Assist firefighters in developing professional knowledge and skills.
Evaluate assigned training tasks, including use of crash-truck roof turrets with Aqueous Film Forming Foam.
Advise supervisors and the Fire Chief about participants’ academic and practical training participation and outcomes.
Implement firefighting and emergency-response plans and manage and direct fire suppression personnel and equipment under stressful and dangerous conditions.
Drive a motor vehicle as required and, when assigned, perform duties in the Fire Alarm and Communications Center, on Hazardous Materials Teams, or involving aircraft arresting barrier equipment.