Firefighter (Hazardous Materials Technician)

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command•Youngstown, OH

About The Position

The Firefighter serves on a crew engaged in airfield and structural firefighting, crash-rescue, and hazardous materials response. The position drives and operates complex firefighting vehicles and responds to actual or potential hazardous-material releases to stop or control them. It involves emergency response at airfields and facilities, including conditions where the likelihood of fire and potential for destruction are high. The position also performs personnel rescue and first aid, maintains firefighting equipment and station facilities, and follows health, safety, and environmental requirements. The employee works 72 hours per week on a 24-hour-on/24-hour-off schedule that includes weekends and holidays, and may be recalled. Work may involve adverse environmental conditions and participation in respiratory-protection and hearing-conservation programs. The position requires use of provided safety equipment and clothing, driving a motor vehicle, and the ability to discern colors, contrast, and depth. The employee may be assigned to the Fire Alarm and Communications Center and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance. This is a mission-essential position and may require reporting when the base is closed or delayed, or remaining on duty during phased or early release. Applicants must meet the specialized-experience and certification requirements for the GS-07 Fire Protection and Prevention series position. The announcement specifies one year of specialized experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, and lists required firefighter and hazardous-material certifications. Initial appointees are subject to a maximum entry age of 37, subject to stated exceptions. The position is covered by special retirement provisions for federal firefighters.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent, including experience in one or more relevant areas such as fire control, rescue, fire-hazard detection or mitigation, fire communications, hazardous-material incidents, or fire protection training.
Merit-promotion applicants must meet the applicable federal time-in-grade requirement; one year at GS-06 is required for GS-07, where applicable.
For initial appointments, applicants generally must not have reached their 37th birthday by the appointment date, subject to stated exceptions and waivers.
Required certifications: Firefighter I and II, Airport Firefighter, HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations, HAZMAT Technician, Apparatus Driver/Operator—Pumper, and Apparatus Driver/Operator—ARFF.
Applicants must list current firefighter-related licenses and certifications on their resumes and provide copies of certifications or a certification transcript with their application.
A valid, appropriate driver's license is required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
Must participate in a mandatory physical fitness program and use safety equipment and clothing provided by management.
Must be able to discern colors, contrast, and depth.
Must be able to drive a motor vehicle and lift and carry heavy loads.
Must be able to apply emergency first aid, conduct complete HAZMAT incident analysis, communicate orally and in writing, and maintain good working relations.
Must be able to work a 72-hour week on a 24-hour-on/24-hour-off basis, including weekends and holidays; may be subject to recall.
Must work under adverse environmental conditions and comply with respiratory-protection and hearing-conservation programs.
This is a Testing Designated Position subject to random drug testing.
Mission-essential personnel may be required to report when the base is closed or delayed and remain on duty during phased or early release.
Male applicants must be registered for Selective Service, where applicable.
Applicants must have knowledge of firefighting vehicle operation and hydraulics; airfield and structural firefighting equipment, techniques, and procedures; building design, construction, and occupancy; hazardous-material response; emergency first aid; and applicable safety standards.
Applicants must have skill in operating communications equipment.

Responsibilities

Assess hazards and risks and conduct complete incident analyses.
Drive and operate complex firefighting vehicles, including pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, and Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles.
Perform crash-rescue and firefighting duties involving air traffic or support operations in high-risk hazardous conditions.
Perform structural firefighting in facilities that may include multistory buildings, industrial areas, and base storage facilities.
Rescue personnel and provide first aid to prevent further injury and prepare victims for transport to a medical facility.
Respond to hazardous-material incidents and stop or control actual or potential releases.
Maintain firefighting equipment and fire station facilities.
Comply with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and work in a manner that enhances workplace safety.
Operate communications equipment and, if required, work in the Fire Alarm and Communications Center.