If you have firefighting experience and are a knowledgeable, dedicated, and motivated individual, consider joining the Division of Fire and Rescue Services as a firefighter. This position requires a high degree of public trust and confidence. Under the Assistant Fire Chief, you will respond to all fire alarms, incidents involving hazardous materials (hazmat), requests for emergency medical assistance, and rescue victims from all types of structures and motor vehicles.

Duties

If selected for this position as a GS-0081-07 Firefighter your duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as a firefighter, responds to fire alarms for all classes of fires, including those involving radioactive and/or hazardous materials, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents. Assess fire ground conditions for safety. Incumbent will be assigned as equipment driver-operator of motorized apparatus; as such incumbent is required to drive apparatus to the scene, position apparatus as required by the nature and extent of the emergency, lay hose lines as directed, hook up hose lines to be used, calculate pressures required for individual lines depending on size and length of line and pressure required to maintain constant pressure with regard to size and type nozzles to be used, closely observe the operation of pump, and regulates pressures to maintain a continuous flow of water at the volume and pressure required to effectively control and extinguish fire. Performs fire prevention inspections, and tests equipment such as hydrants, fire extinguishers, and fire detection, suppression and alarm systems. As an Emergency Medical Technician with Basic Life Support training, responds to all medical emergencies; at times working under severe conditions and circumstances in providing emergency treatment and stabilization of the critically ill or injured. Responsible for the analysis of any particular emergency situation to establish lifesaving medical priorities without advanced medical advice or direction. Operates portable radios and other communications equipment using approved procedures and codes. As a qualified Hazardous Materials Technician, the incumbent is responsible for responding to complex hazardous materials releases (i.e., chemical, biological, radiological). These responses entail not only providing containment and control but also complete mitigation of the effects of the incident including spill clean-up; decontamination of the facility, equipment and personnel; and returning the affected area(s) to normal. Incumbent must be able to analyze a hazardous materials incident to determine the magnitude of the problem in terms of outcome, identify or classify unknown materials, and verify the presence or concentrations of hazardous materials through the use of monitoring equipment.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination which requires an high degree of physical fitness/agility/and dexterity for sustained periods. Immunizations are required. All physicals have to be completed on the Bethesda Campus with OMS.
• If selected, you cannot have reached your 37th birthday prior to an initial Federal Firefighter appointment. If selected, you will be covered by a bargaining unit (union). You must be able to lift heavy items weighing over 50 lbs or more.
• This position requires weekend hours, night shifts, regular or rotational shifts, holiday hours. This position has on-call or call-back requirements.
• If selected, you will be required to wear a uniform and may be required to use heavy, cumbersome, restrictive personal protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, shields, body armor, encapsulating suits, etc.
• You must be able to stand for prolonged periods on concrete floors and walk over rough and uneven terrain. The selectee must be able to bend, stoop, walk, stand, and climb, and work in cramped positions.
• The selectee must be able to work outdoors under all weather conditions. You may work in hazardous environments or handle hazardous substances.
• If selected, you are required to obtain and maintain a valid state driver’s license covering the apparatus currently utilized by the Division of Fire and Rescue Services and must be able to obtain and maintain a class B driver’s license.
• If selected, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security investigation.
• If selected, you will be expected to obtain and/or maintain the following Licenses/Certifications: Hazmat Technician meeting the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.120.
• If selected, additional certifications you may be expected to obtain and/or maintain certification by the University of Maryland or the National Certification Review Board at the Fire Fighter I and II level.
• If selected, additional certifications you may be expected to obtain and/or maintain certification by the University of Maryland or another certified training agency in Confined Space Rescue meeting the requirements of the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146.
• If selected, additional certifications you may be expected to obtain and/or maintain Automatic External Defibrillator certification. Must possess a current certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, meeting AHA standards.
• If selected, you will be expected to complete the following courses: Pumps and Hydraulics, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Aerial Apparatus Operator, and Truck Company Operations training.
• If selected, you will be expected to complete the following courses: Advanced chemical, radiological, biological response training, advanced chemical, and radiological biological agents' behavior and toxicology training.
• If selected, you will be expected to complete the following courses: Radiation Safety in the Laboratory and Radiation Safety for Firefighters training course sponsored by NIH.
• If selected, you must successfully complete an annual Job Performance test. If selected, you must participate in the department’s cardiovascular physical fitness program to include a physical exercise program and annual physical examination.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-07 level, if you meet the following qualification requirements: You must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector as a Firefighter performing the following types of tasks: combating fires requiring the operation of firefighting equipment; rescuing people under difficult and dangerous situations; driving, operating, and positioning on scene firefighting apparatuses of significant complexity; performing initial incident analysis involving hazardous materials; and/or providing pre-hospital basic life support and emergency care that is non-invasive. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Selective Factor(s): In order to meet minimum qualification requirements you must demonstrate possession of the selective factor(s) of this position. Selective factor(s) include(s): You must possess a current certification by the State of Maryland or the National Registry as an Emergency Medical Technician. Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12347191

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 US
• Name: Lori Palmer
• Phone: 301-594-3598
• Email: [email protected]