FIREFIGHTER (HAZORDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIAN) - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY Job in Hanscom AFB, MA

Vacancy No. AFMC-00817-12606110-AJW Department Air Force Materiel Command
Salary $55,383.00 to $71,999.00 Grade 7 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/12/2024 Close Date 11/25/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Hanscom AFB, MA


Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Firefighter assigned to a crew engaged in structural firefighting, rescue, and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Technician and to respond to the presence or potential releases of hazardous materials for the purpose of stopping or controlling the release.

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This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

  1. Performs hazard and risk assessment and conducts a complete incident analysis.
  2. Performs structural firefighting duties for a variety of facilities, which may include large multistoried buildings, industrial areas, and/or base storage facilities.
  3. Performs rescue of personnel and a variety of first aid measures to alleviate further injury and prepare the victim(s) for transport to a medical facility.
  4. Maintains firefighting equipment and fire station facilities.
  5. Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizenship required.
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
  • Selectee may be expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance for the position.
  • Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • The position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
  • This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments.
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • This position may require travel.
  • Employee must participate in a mandatory physical fitness program.
  • Employee is required to use all safety equipment and clothing provided by management.
  • The employee is required to work a 72 hour week on a 24 hour on/24 hour off basis which includes weekends and holidays. May be subject to recall.
  • This position requires the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions and falls under the respiratory protection program and hearing conservation program.
  • The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver’s license is required.
  • Position requires the ability to discern colors, contrast, and depth.
  • May be required to work the Fire Alarm and Communications Center (FACC).
  • Employee is required to be certified by the Department of Defense (DOD) Firefighter Certification System as Airport Firefighter (includes Firefighter I, II), HAZMAT Awareness, and HAZMAT Operations).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-0081, Fire Protection and Prevention Series.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: The applicant must have one year of specialized experience at a level close to the work of this position that has given me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform. Typically, we would find this experience in work within this field that is closely related. To be creditable, one year of the specialized experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06), pay band or equivalent. Specialized experience is described as (1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; (2) rescue operations; (3) detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; (4) operation of fire communications equipment; (5) controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or (6) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-6 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-6 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  • Knowledge of basic and specialized structural firefighting equipment (fire alarm system operation, fire extinguishing equipment operation, etc.), techniques, and procedures; and of basic and specialized building design, construction, and occupancy.
  • Knowledge of hazardous materials emergency response procedures, equipment, identification, and mitigation actions.
  • Knowledge of emergency first aid techniques; and safety requirements as outlined in applicable safety standards, regulations, and/or technical orders.
  • Skill in operating communications equipment.
  • Ability to maintain good working relations; to communicate orally and in writing; and to lift and carry heavy loads.
  • Ability to conduct complete HAZMAT incident analysis; and to apply emergency first aid techniques.


MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE: Title 5 U.S.C. 3307 authorizes the head of any agency to establish a maximum entry age for the original appointment of individuals to the position of primary and rigorous firefighter. The date immediately preceding an individual's 37th birthday is the maximum entry age for original appointment to a position as a Firefighter. This age restriction does not apply to those who have previously served in a Federal civilian firefighting position covered by title 5 U.S.C. section 3307 provisions OR qualified veteran preference eligible covered by title 5 U.S.C. 3307.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
*PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Perform strenuous physical activities such as lifting heavy firefight equipment, climbing standard and aerial ladders, and lifting and carrying people and equipment for rescue and salvage. NOTE: THIS POSITION REQUIRES A PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL.

*WORK ENVIRONMENT: Firefighters are regularly exposed to a variety of dangerous situations such as fires that are out of control, toxic spills, or possible explosions. Hazards include: Burns, dehydration, and other effects of heat, smoke inhalation, falling materials, or explosions; Exposure to toxic materials and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive agents; Physical injury and sensory damage from firefighting activities and noise levels; Dealing with victims in varying stages of fright, panic and injury; Operating or riding on fire truck under adverse conditions or flying in aircraft to reach crash sites of fires in outlying areas.

*Special Retirement Provisions Authority:
- FERS
Position covered as rigorous under the FERS special retirement provisions for Federal firefighters [5 U.S.C. 8401(14), 5 U.S.C. 8412(d), and 5 CFR 842.802]. Authority, Under Secretary of Defense Memo, dated 30 December 2004.
- CSRS
Position covered as rigorous under the CSRS special retirement provisions for Federal firefighters [5 U.S.C. 8331(21), 5 U.S.C. 8336(c), and 5 CFR 831.902]. Authority, Under Secretary of Defense Memo, dated 30 December 2004.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS:
On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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.

Review our 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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

Applicants who meet the requirements for and apply as a non-competitive eligible that meet minimal qualifications and other requirements of this position, will be given consideration as a non-competitive candidate and will be referred unless blocked by an individual with priority/preference.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

  1. Online Application: Questionnaire
  2. Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. To ensure full consideration of your experience and education we encourage you to use the USAJOBS resume builder to prepare your resume or to guide you in preparing your resume. See http://www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Tutorials-Resume.pdf for more information.
  3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
  • Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
  • Branch of Armed Forces
  • Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
  • Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
  • Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
  • Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
  • Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
  • Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/25/2024

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12606110

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

  • It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
  • If your resume includes photographs (or links to social media), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, or personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., you will not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.
2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (Includes current Air Force employees): You are required to submit legible copy/copies of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1"). Additionally, if you are applying for a higher grade (GS) and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one year time-in-grade requirement so you will need to provide an SF-50 which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Address
Hanscom AFB
20 Schilling Circle
Bldg 1305
Hanscom AFB, MA 01731
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.