Firefighter (BLS/HazMat Technician)

Federal Emergency Management Agency•Round Hill, VA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Fire Services Branch at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (MWEOC), located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, approximately 60 miles west of Washington, DC. The firefighter follows firefighting standards and techniques and performs firefighting procedures and operations. Typical work includes operating and maintaining firefighting trucks and equipment, controlling and extinguishing hazardous fires in a variety of structures, providing basic life support assessment and treatment, and responding to hazardous materials, technical rescue, aviation, and related incidents. MWEOC staff have emergency assignments and are considered deployed in place. Exercises and activations may be planned or unplanned and can require long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees must use a government-issued electronic device, including a cellular phone; remain subject to recall during emergencies; and work both above and below ground. FEMA employees may also be called to support emergency management operations at other locations, with little advance notice and potentially extensive travel or extended periods at operationally challenging sites. This is a primary firefighter position subject to special retirement provisions. The position requires a background investigation for a Top Secret clearance, a pre-employment physical, random drug testing, a valid state driver's license, and the ability to deploy with little or no advance notice. A three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, is required within six months of onboarding. Promotion potential depends on performance at a higher level, continuing need, and administrative approval.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Successfully pass and maintain a background investigation for a Top Secret clearance.
Register for Selective Service, if applicable.
Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain a government credit card.
Ability to deploy with little or no advance notice anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
Valid state driver's license.
Pre-employment physical examination and participation in random drug testing.
Meet the applicable specialized experience and certification requirements for the GS level sought: GS-05 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-04, including responding to fire and rescue emergencies and operating firefighter/rescue equipment or vehicles; certifications include Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, and a valid state driver's license.
GS-06 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including emergency response, operating firefighter/rescue equipment or vehicles, and team-based CPR/AED services within established protocols; certifications include Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, a valid state driver's license, and CPR/AED.
GS-07 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-06, including controlling and extinguishing fires in varied structures, operating and maintaining firefighter and EMS equipment and vehicles, and providing team-based EMS within established protocols; certifications include Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, a valid state driver's license, CPR/AED, Driver/Operator Pumper, and State or National Registry EMT-B.
GS-08 requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including controlling and extinguishing fires in difficult and dangerous situations across varied response settings and ensuring firefighting, rescue, and EMS equipment and vehicles are operational; certifications include Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, a valid state driver's license, CPR/AED, Driver/Operator Pumper and Aerial, and State or National Registry EMT-B.
For GS-05, obtain CPR/AED certification within 12 months.
For GS-06, obtain Driver/Operator Pumper certification within 12 months.
For GS-07, obtain Driver/Operator Aerial and National Registry EMT certification within 12 months.
For GS-08, obtain National Registry EMT certification within 12 months, and Fire Inspector I, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Confined Space Rescue certifications within 24 months.
Applicants to this primary firefighter position generally must be under age 37 at initial appointment, subject to the stated credit for prior qualifying firefighter service.
Attend a three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding.
For new federal competitive service employees and new supervisors or managers, a one-year probationary period is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in hazardous firefighting and rescue operations.
Current possession of the firefighter certifications required for the position.

Responsibilities

Follow firefighting standards and techniques and perform firefighting procedures and operations.
Use, operate, and maintain firefighting trucks and equipment, including lines, hand tools, pumps, nozzles, and foam generators.
Operate emergency equipment to control and extinguish hazardous fires in a variety of structures.
Perform basic life support assessment and treatment of patients.
Respond to hazardous materials, technical rescue, aviation, and other related incidents.
Perform emergency assignments and remain subject to recall during emergency situations.
Work in locations both above and below ground and, as needed, deploy to emergency locations.