Firefighter (Paramedic/Hazardous Material Technician)

DLA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Logistics Agency Careers is seeking qualified firefighters with paramedic and hazmat credentials to perform the full spectrum of DoD fire and emergency services. The role emphasizes advanced medical care, hazardous materials response, and lead firefighting duties in demanding environments.

Applicants must meet strict certification requirements, pass medical exams, and maintain readiness for duty in all weather and high-stress conditions.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a fully trained member of a firefighting crew engaged in emergency response including fire, medical, hazmat, rescue, and natural disasters.
• Controls and extinguishes fires, operates hose lines, conducts fire ground operations such as forcible entry, ventilation, search and rescue, and salvage and overhaul.
• Drives and operates a full range of emergency vehicles and apparatus including fire engines, ladder trucks, technical rescue vehicles, medic units, and response trailers.
• Performs advanced patient assessment through systematic evaluation of the patient's condition.
• Conducts and interprets electrocardiograms (EKG) depending on certification and local protocols.
• Performs advanced airway techniques including esophageal or dual lumen devices and oral intubation using laryngoscopy.
• Assists paramedic personnel in advanced life support in a developmental capacity.
• Serves as Hazardous Materials Technician (HMT) handling spills/releases for control and containment.
• Performs decontamination of victims and response personnel using specialized equipment and detection/monitoring devices.
• Alternates as Lead Firefighter directing firefighting activities, fire prevention, station/equipment maintenance, training, and administrative duties.

Job description

Summary

See below for important information regarding this job.

Summary

See below for important information regarding this job.

Duties

• Serves as a fully trained member of a firefighting crew engaged in a full range of emergency response to include: fire, emergency medical, hazardous materials, specialized rescue, and natural disasters.
• Controls and extinguishes fires, operates hose lines, performs fire ground operations to include forcible entry, ventilation, search and rescue and salvage and overhaul.
• Drives and operates a full range of complex vehicles and apparatus to include fire engines, ladder trucks, technical rescue apparatus, medic units, and response trailers operating onboard systems.
• Performs advanced and detailed patient assessment by conducting a systematic evaluation of the patient’s condition.
• Conducts and interprets electrocardiograms (EKG) depending on personal certification and local protocols.
• Performs advanced airway techniques including the use of an esophageal or dual lumen airway device and oral intubation using laryngoscopy.
• Assists paramedic personnel in advanced life support situations in a developmental capacity.
• Serves as a Hazardous Material Technician (HMT) reacting to spills and releases or potential spills and releases of hazardous materials for the purpose of control, containment and confinement.
• Performs decontamination of victims and response personnel using various specialized equipment, to include but not limited to, chemical detection and monitoring devices.
• Alternates as Lead Firefighter responsible for directing and participating in firefighting activities, fire prevention functions, station and equipment maintenance, training and administrative duties.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Tour of Duty: 144 hours per pay period (Position is subject to shift rotation and assignment to abnormal tours of duty.)
• Security Requirements: Non-Critical Sensitive
• Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination, where reciprocity cannot be applied; unfavorably adjudicated background checks will be grounds for removal.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.
• Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Physical Requirements: Required (Incumbent will be highly encouraged to participate in a physical fitness and wellness program during duty hours.)
• Certifications/Licenses: Firefighter 1 and 2, Driver Operator - Pumper, Hazardous Materials Technician, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, Emergency Medical Technician - Basic, Valid State Drivers License, Paramedic.
• Age Requirement: Yes (See Additional Information)
• Bargaining Unit Status: Yes
• Individual must complete a pre-employment and an annual medical exam IAW DoD 6055.05-M to determine the reasonable likelihood of a firefighter’s ability to execute the arduous and rigorous essential functions of fire suppression and rescue.
• Selectees are required to have a REAL ID or other acceptable identification documents to access certain federal facilities. See https://www.tsa.gov/real-id for more information.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Firefighter (Paramedic/Hazardous Materials Technician) your resume and supporting documentation must support:

• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level or equivalent (internal candidates are permitted to have specialized experience at the GS-07 level due to no intervening grades) under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cutoff/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes: Creditable specialized experience includes:

Gs-07

• Assisting in performing a full range of firefighting duties such as combating fires, operating hose lines, making forced entries, and search and rescue.
• Experience conducting hazardous materials offensive operations and decontamination operations.
• Assisting in rescue operations.
• Performing basic life support at the emergency medical technician basic level.
• Determining proper emergency response/equipment needs in an emergency situation.

GS-08:

• Performing a full range of firefighting duties such as combating fires, operating hose lines,
• Making forced entries, and search and rescue.
• Performing or assisting in rescue operations.
• Performing emergency medical care at the intermediate/advanced level.
• Conducting hazardous materials offensive operations and decontamination operations.
• Driving and operates emergency vehicles.

B. Selective Placement Factor (SPF):

Department of Defense (DoD) 6055.06-M, "Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program" identifies the level of performance required for all DoD Fire and Emergency Services personnel. The certifications listed below are the minimum mandatory certification requirements for this position. DoD Incumbents shall possess DoD Certifications, or equivalent accredited certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or the National Professional Qualifications System (Pro-Board):

Accredited Certification

• Firefighter I & II

State of Virginia Certifications:

• Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

Other Requirements

• Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification
• Valid State Driver's License

Note:

Other training requirements that must be obtained within two years of employment and maintained: Emergency Vehicle Operator, (EVOC), Driver Operator - Aerial, and Driver Operator - Pumper, Hazardous Materials Technician. OR

Minimum Age Requirement:

• Will be less than 37 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Will be 37 years of age or older at the time of appointment, but meet the following: (1) previously served in a DoD Firefighter position that was approved for Special Retirement Coverage and (2) after appointment to a DoD Firefighter position, be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered service as a Firefighter by the last day of the month in which I reach age 57.

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.

Additional Age/Certification Requirements information can be found at: http://www.dla.mil/portals/104/documents/careers/downloads/FirefighterCertification.pdfDepartment of Defense (DoD) 6055.06-M, "Fire and Emergency Services Certification Program" identifies the level of performance required for all DoD Fire and Emergency Services personnel. The certifications listed above or within the Firefighter link are the minimum mandatory certification requirements for this position. DoD incumbents shall possess DoD Certifications, or equivalent accredited certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or the National Professional Qualifications System (Pro-Board).

Physical Demands:

The work involves extended periods of heavy moving and lifting. Generally, the work requires recurring bending,lifting, stooping, and positioning of patients, victims, fire hoses, fire extinguishers, and other equipment. Must be able to wear protective clothing and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds, while working in extreme heat and cold under adverse conditions, such as fire and smoke.

Work Environment:

The employee works outside in all types of weather conditions. Employee is exposed to out-of-control fires,emergency medical scenes, and other dangerous situations. Is also exposed to the possibility of burns and other effects of smoke inhalation, heat, falling materials, explosions, toxic materials, infections, and contagious diseases, and other dangerous substances.

Essential Position:

This position has been designated as an Essential Position (e.g., snow emergency days, holidays, increased security periods, national emergency). The position cannot be vacated during war or national emergency without seriously impairing the mission. Assignments may be performed at any job site within the organization.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

For Important General Applicant Information and Definitions go to: http://www.dla.mil/portals/104/documents/careers/GenAppInfoDef.pdf

Reemployed Annuitants:

This position does not meet criteria for appointment of Reemployed Annuitants. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace. All DLA employees are required to refrain from illegal drug use on and off duty. DLA conducts pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, and random drug testing.

Applicants tentatively selected for employment in testing designated positions will undergo a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Refusal to undergo testing or testing positive for illegal drugs will result in withdrawal of the tentative job offer and a six-month denial of employment with DLA from the date of the drug test. Employees in drug testing designated positions are subject to random drug testing. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

The DLA drug testing panel tests for the following substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, heroin, phencyclidine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, fentanyl, norfentanyl, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and opioids.

ADVISORY: Use of cannabidiol (CBD) products may result in a positive drug test for marijuana. DLA employees are subject to Federal law and under Federal law, Marijuana is illegal

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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