Summary
See QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION sections for important information about this position.
Serves as the agency technical expert on fire protection to headquarters and field facilities staff providing expertise and advice to agency upper management, office directors and other engineering disciplines.
See DUTIES for additional responsibilities of this position.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Vacancy is open to All US Citizens. This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is SSA-HQ, Woodlawn, Maryland. To participate in telework, you must reside within a 2-hour commute to the ODS by the time of your appointment.
Duties
- Provides advice concerning life and property loss hazards associated with a wide variety of occupancy situations, including large scale complex and hazardous operations.
- Serves as the agency's advisor regarding fire incidents involving loss of life and/or property.
- Directs and implements the agency's fire protection program; issues directives to formulate policy; establishes agency fire-protection goals and objectives.
- Represents the agency as a member of professional committees and boards, gives speeches or lectures and appears on panels dealing with fire safety matters and the application of Federal and national fire safety standards.
- Makes field inspections of proposed projects to determine directive and design requirements, inspects projects under construction to determine adequacy of the design of fire protection features and to assure conformance to plans and specifications.
- Reviews the fire protection features of plans, specifications and analyses of designs submitted by headquarters and regional staff for accuracy and technical competency and approves such plans, specifications and analyses.
- Serves as a monitor for evaluating contract architect and engineering firms, contract fire safety consulting firms and contract fire safety maintenance firms.
- Performs contracting duties as assigned to accomplish the architectural and engineering contract work for the agency. Obtains and maintains appropriate contracting certifications.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship required. Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
- Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required. Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background/security investigation results.
- See QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS sections for more information about this position.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To qualify for this GS-13 Fire Protection Engineer position you must demonstrate
(1) the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for the federal 0800 series AND
(2) at least 52 weeks of Specialized Experience
(1) INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR):
A. Degree in Engineering from a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET OR
B. Degree in Engineering that includes differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics or electronics (those courses must be highlighted on your transcript) OR
C. Combination of education and experience comprised of college-level education, training AND technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering AND (2) a theoretical and practical understanding of engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. This claim must be based on one of the following and supporting documents must be submitted:
(1) Professional registration or licensure -- current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT) or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico.
(2) Written Test -- evidence of successfully passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam or other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.
(3) Specified academic courses -- successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical and engineering sciences that included the courses specified in (1)(a)-(g) above. Courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program and must be highlighted on your transcript(s).
(4) Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field (e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology or geology) may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided you have at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
ONLY APPLICANTS WHO DEMONSTRATE THIS IOR WILL BE EVALUATED.
(2) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE must have been gained in a federal position at or above GS-12 OR (if your position and/or experience is in another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level equivalent to GS-12.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is work that primarily consists of (1) assessment and prediction of fire hazards or risks; (2) mitigation of fire damage; (3) development or testing of fire protection technologies; (4) inspection, testing and operation of fire detection or suppression devices or systems; and (5) assessment of fire protection requirements.
If you have this experience, your resume must describe it in your own words.
Since Specialized Experience also has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks.
Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you don't describe.
An affirmative response to the online questionnaire is not sufficient to demonstrate experience.
Your resume must show complete dates (month/day/year) for each position described (and if your position is or was federal, your grade at the time experience was gained). Resumes that don't include this information may not satisfy the requirement to demonstrate 52 weeks performing specific work at the required level.
If your experience includes a federal career-ladder position and part of that position is being used to meet Minimum Qualifications, separate that portion of your experience (e.g., duties performed as a GS-12) so your qualifying experience (e.g., required grade, dates and duties) is clearly evident. Career-ladder positions described as a single position may not satisfy the requirement to demonstrate 52 weeks performing specific work at the required level.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (IOR and Specialized Experience) must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
If you are a federal contractor, do not identify yourself as a federal employee.
CONDITIONS OF POSITION:
Due to the nature of work in this position, the following conditions are essential for successful performance and selected candidates must fully comply with these conditions to meet performance requirements.
Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to these conditions will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period that may be served by new appointees.
This is an emergency/mission critical position. You may be called to work after-hours, on weekends and holidays.
(1) Work is generally sedentary. However, it includes frequent inspections and surveys of workplaces that involves some walking, standing, bending and climbing.
(2) You may be required to report to work or remain at your workstation to perform critical services when building occupants are generally excused for all or part of a workday because of hazardous weather and other emergency situations.
(3) In case of snow, you may be required to report during irregular hours and travel in hazardous weather conditions.
(4) You may be required to travel to agency delegated and non-delegated buildings.
(5) Occasional duties may involve outside activities where you may be subject to inclement weather.
(6) During inspections or surveys you may be exposed to risks associated with fire hazards. You will be required to wear safety shoes, safety glasses and protective clothing.
(7) When performing inspections or surveys, you may visit construction sites, building systems and spaces, and work may involve moderate risks or discomforts that may require special safety precautions such as working around moving parts, carts and machines.
(8) You may be exposed to high noise levels, dust, toxic or irritant chemicals and may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment such as steel-toed shoes, masks, coats, boots, goggles, gloves or shields.
(9) You may be required to wear a respirator on an as-needed basis and may be required to shave to support the proper fit of a respirator.
Education
This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) in addition to the Specialized Experience requirement as described under QUALIFICATIONS above.
You must meet and demonstrate both requirements and submit documents that fully support your claim (even if you already hold a federal 0800 series position).
TRANSCRIPTS -- submit a copy of your full transcript showing your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and your degree in Engineering OR (if your degree isfrom a school of engineering that does not have at least one program accredited by ABET) completion of *creditable courses. If you attended more than one college or university, submit transcripts for all schools attended.
Transcripts that do not show that an Engineering Degree was conferred cannot be considered to have resulted in an Engineering Degree. Check your transcript to be sure this information is shown.
*Since course titles do not always indicate that a course pertains to a creditable curriculum:
-- Applicants claiming IOR Option B (differential and integral calculus and courses in five of the seven areas of engineering science or physics) should highlight qualifying courses to ensure they are given consideration.
-- Applicants claiming IOR Option C (combination of college-level education, training or technical experience) should also highlight relevant engineering courses to ensure that consideration is given to the college education portion of this requirement. NOTE that your experience under Option C must be in addition to the 52 weeks of Specialized Experience AND you must provide documentation that fully supports your claim. Read the information carefully.
Unofficial transcripts or screenshots of electronic/web transcripts with the required information will be accepted at the time of application. CHECK YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO CONFIRM IT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION. You must upload your transcripts as part of your application. Documents will not be accepted via email or regular mail.
TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE LEGIBLE or you may not receive credit for completed courses.
DO NOT SUBMIT A DIPLOMA IN LIEU OF A FULL TRANSCRIPT THAT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the education requirement, but you must also provide documentation that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of your appointment.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
(1) Eligible applicants will receive a score based on your responses to the experience questions in the online questionnaire.
Preview questions here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12371906
(2) Using that score, you will be placed into one of three Category Rating groups.
-- Best Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills and abilities
-- Well Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge, skills and abilities
-- Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge, skills and abilities
Veterans' Preference is considered during this part of the evaluation.
(3) If you are among the highest-ranking applicants based on your score, your transcript (and other IOR documents, if applicable) and resume will be reviewed by HR to determine if you demonstrate the IOR and Specialized Experience required for this position.
Your resume must describe duties you perform that meet the Specialized Experience required for this position (see QUALIFICATIONS), as well as duties that demonstrate the following as they relate to the Specialized Experience. It must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks. Duties not clearly described cannot be credited.
-- Ability to apply principles, concepts and practices of fire prevention engineering
-- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
-- Ability to perform project management oversight for fire prevention/protection functions
-- Knowledge of national. local and/or federal building codes, laws, regulations, policies and guidelines
-- Knowledge of laws, regulations and standards for managing building operations, construction projects and/or service contracts
It is not sufficient to make claims in the questionnaire that are not supported in your resume.
Information not specifically stated in your resume cannot be assumed. Information copied or restated from the announcement or rating criteria will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
Affirmative responses to the eligibility questions and experience in the online questionnaire are subject to verification.
(4) The highest-ranked applicants who demonstrate the IOR and Specialized Experience will be referred to the hiring manager following Priority Selection procedures and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. (See Priority Selection below.)
Your description of your knowledge, skills and abilities is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability.
Your claimed knowledge, skills and abilities are subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed experience.
PRIORITY SELECTION:
Well-qualified ICTAPapplicants will receive the first consideration ONLY IF appropriate supporting documents are provided (see Career Transition Guide and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section).
Veterans' Preference eligibles will be placed ahead of others in the category for which they are ranked.
Required Documents
Resume -- all applicants (SSA employees may use SSA-45)
Transcript - all applicants (to support IOR)
SF-50 -- recommended for applicants with federal status (current and former federal employees)
Veterans' documents -- if claimed
ICTAP documents -- if claimed
Military Spouse documents -- if claimed
DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY UPLOADED TO YOUR USAJOBS ACCOUNT MAY BE OUTDATED AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONSIDERATION.
RESUME (or SSA-45) must include:
-- your name and contact information
-- employer name, full-time or part-time hours worked per week
-- full start and stop dates (month/day/year) for each position
-- your grade and pay scale (if your position is or was federal) and
-- a clear description of the duties you perform that relate to the experience required for this position.
If you no longer hold a position it must show an ending date.
Since Specialized Experience has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks.
Do not simply list projects on which you worked or list experience in terms of accomplishments or achievements. You must describe duties you perform that pertain to the requirements for this position.
Information copied or restated from the vacancy announcement, rating criteria or KSAs will not be considered. If this occurs, you may be found ineligible.
If your qualifying experience is part of a federal career-ladder, separate that experience from duties performed at the lower grades. Career-ladders described as a single position may not satisfy the requirement to demonstrate 52 weeks performing specific work at the required level.
See QUALIFICATIONS for information on what your resume must demonstrate.
TRANSCRIPT and other IOR Document -- see QUALIFICATIONS and EDUCATION sections for information on what you must demonstrate.
SF-50 - recommended for applicants with federal status (current or former federal employees)
VETERANS' DOCUMENTS - submit DD-214 / Member 4 copy showing Dates of Service and Character of Service. (*See below if still on active duty.) This information must be provided to establish veterans' preference.
For 10-point preference based on a service-connected disability, also submit completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference) and documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15.
For derived preference submit completed SF-15 and documents specified on the reverse of the SF-15.
*Current active-duty military claiming preference under Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act -- submit certification that you will be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date. Your letter must be signed by or under direction of the appropriate personnel office, unit commander or higher headquarters. Certifications must be on official letterhead from appropriate military branch and must include dates of service, expected discharge date. type of discharge, character of service, rank and date when terminal leave begins. Since service after Aug 31, 2010 is generally not qualifying for preference, include any qualifying campaign or expeditionary medals you received.
CTAP (Career Transition Assistance Plan) -- currently no is eligible for CTAP.
ICTAP (Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan) -- only applies to competitive service employees in the local commuting area displaced from other federal agencies.
ICTAP does not apply if:
-- you voluntarily separated from federal employment (e.g., resigned, retired or transferred out) OR
-- you were separated at the end of a term or temporary appointment OR
-- you were terminated for performance or conduct reasons OR
-- you have not received notice of separation OR
-- you have never held a federal position
ICTAP-eligibles must provide:
-- written notice of eligibility or copy of separation SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action) and
-- most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent
For more information see Career Transition (opm.gov)
Preference will be granted based on the documents received.
MILITARY SPOUSES -- see USAJOBS Help Center | Military Spouses -- submit marriage certificate and proof that your spouse is still an active-duty member of the military or is 100% disabled and unemployable.
How to Apply
(1) Click APPLY to create a USAJobs Account or log into your existing account.
(2) Confirm that your USAJobs Biographic Information is correct.
(3) Follow prompts to complete the questionnaire and upload required documents.
(4) Click Submit My Answers at the end of the process.
(5) "View/Print My Answers" to confirm you have answered every question as intended AND
(6) print a copy of the announcement for your reference if you are called for an interview (optional)
READ "NEXT STEPS" FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) May 3, 2024 and must include:
(1)responses to online questionnaire
(2) uploaded resume
(3) uploaded transcript (and other IOR documents, if applicable)
(4) uploaded eligibility documents, if applicable (DD-214, VA Letter, RIF Letter, marriage certificate, spouse's military orders, etc)
SEE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes. Answer all questions and follow instructions. Your score will be based on your responses. Errors or omissions may affect your overall evaluation.
We cannot accept documents submitted via email, fax or standard mail, but you may email inquiries about the position or How to Apply PRIOR TO the closing of the announcement.
Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may use the listed email or 7-1-1 for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to call the listed phone number. Additional Telecommunications Relay Services options are available in each state: https://www.fcc.gov/general/trs-state-and-territories
Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statements -- Anything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or your resume is subject to verification. By submitting your application, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.
Next steps
Incorrect information in your USAJobs Account means you may not receive important emails pertaining to this announcement. SSA/HR is not responsible if outdated information in your USAJobs Account causes you to miss emailed notifications or job offers.
No matter what information is provided on your resume, HR and USAStaffing can only contact you using the information in your USAJobs Account. Your Biographic Information for this vacancy cannot be changed once your application has been submitted.
If you applied correctly and provided a valid email address in your Biographic Information, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Occupational Questionnaire. This is not an indication that your application is complete. Follow the instructions in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" sections to ensure that you submit a complete application.
HR cannot provide copies of announcements or application documents to you.
You are responsible for verifying that your application is complete and your documents have been properly submitted.
After applications are evaluated, a Best Qualified List will be issued and you will be notified of your status (e.g., highly qualified and referred to the selecting official; qualified but not referred; or ineligible).
INTERVIEWS may or may not be conducted, but if an interview is desired, it will be scheduled by the hiring office and a representative from that office will contact you directly.
HR will not have information pertaining to the scheduling of interviews and cannot provide feedback pertaining to completed interviews.
For a status of your application, go to your USAJobs account. Select Application Status then More Information to see if updates are available.
Updates will not be available during the interview/selection process, which may take up to 90 days.
After selections have been completed, final notices will be sent to applicants who were referred to the selecting official. Applicants who are not referred will not receive a final notice.
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