Firefighter Job in Gaithersburg, MD

Vacancy No. ADMR-137-25-12632152-AB Department National Institute of Standards and Technology
Salary $45,146.00 to $80,510.00 Grade 3 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/6/2024 Close Date 12/20/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Gaithersburg, MD


Summary

Responds to emergency medical, fire, and hazardous materials calls. Participates in practice drills. Performs building inspections and maintenance of detection and suppression systems equipment.



This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Merit Promotion, Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, and National Guard).

Duties

Serves as a firefighter and performs the full range of structural firefighting, technological emergency responses and emergency medical services. Uses initiative in solving normal firefighting problems and consults the supervisor with unusually difficult problems. Guidelines so broad in scope that appropriate interpretation and sound judgment are required for proper application. The program affects all individuals who work, visit the campus. Errors or delays could result in loss of life, property, and/or irreplaceable research materials.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Merit applicants must meet time-in-grade/band requirements, as applicable
  • Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination
  • Designated and/or random drug testing required
  • Selective Placement Factor- Must attach Firefighter 1 Certification, Maryland EMT B ceritification, Hazmat Operations Certification (must be atached at time of application)
  • Bargaining Unit Position: Yes- IAFF, 66/0161

Qualifications

To qualify for the ZS-III position, applicants must meet one of the following:One-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level (ZS-II at NIST). Specialized experience is experience responding to emergency medical, fire, and hazardous material incidents, driving and operating fire apparatus and using various equipment. Using radio equipment to dispatch calls and monitoring a fire alarm system.

OR

Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study.

OR

An equivalent combination of experience and/or post-high school education.

To qualify for the ZS-IV, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-06 level (or ZS-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience responding to emergency medical, fire, and hazardous material incidents, driving and operating fire apparatus and using various equipment. Using radio equipment to dispatch calls and monitoring a fire alarm system. Drives and operates firefighting and emergency medical apparatu as evidenced by current State CDL B or state equivalent license (must be attached at time of application for Grade IV eligiblity)


IN ADDITION, the applicant MUST be able to meet the following selective placement factor (Screen out): Skill in providing basic life support and emergency medical care as evidenced by a valid Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, EMT-B certificate.

To be considered for the position, applicants are required to provide the following certifications:
1. Certification in firefighter 1
2. Maryland Emergency Medical Technician -B Certification
3. Hazmat operations

Must attach certification at time of application to be considered for the position.

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position allows applicants to qualify with education. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.


Use of foreign education for qualifications An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

  • We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
  • Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
  • You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
  • All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
  • A probationary period may be required.
This position has physical requirements which include but may not be limited to:
Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over
Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over
Reaching above shoulder
Use of fingers
Both hands required
Walking
Standing
Crawling
Kneeling
Repeated bending
Climbing, use of legs and arms
Both legs required
Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
Both eyes required
Depth perception
Hearing (aid may be permitted)

This position has environmental factors which include, but may not be limited to:
Outside
Excessive Heat
Excessive Cold
Excessive Humidity
Excessive dampness or chilling
Dry atmospheric conditions
Excessive noise, intermittent
Constant noise
Dust
Silica, asbestos, etc.
Fumes, smokes, or gases
Solvents (degreasing agent)
Grease and oils
Radiant energy
Electrical energy
Slippery or uneven walking surface
Working around machinery with moving parts
Working around moving objects or vehicles
Working on ladders or scaffolding
Working below ground
Working with hands in water
Vibration
Working closely with others
Working alone

This position requires the passing of a drug test

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as:
  • Telework
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Family-friendly leave
  • Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families
  • Back-up child care program
  • Child and elder-care resources
  • On-site childcare center
  • Lactation spaces
  • Wellness programs
  • Fitness center
  • Employee assistance programs

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.

How you will be evaluated: We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination. You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Fire Management
  • First Response
  • Vehicle Operation


Subject Matter Experts may be used for qualification determinations. If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application. To preview the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12632152

Referral:If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.

CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

Required Documents

The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

A complete application includes: 1) A resume, 2) vacancy question responses, and 3) submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume.

Reinstatement: If you are a former federal employee (separated from Federal service for at least 1 year) and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF-50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Click 'Apply' and we'll walk you through a multi-step process to attach a resume and any required documents. While working an application, you may review, edit, delete and update information. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the closing date of the announcement.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Need help applying?

  • If you are experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button), please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET). If you receive any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or, at a minimum, the error message text and number.We will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance if necessary.
  • If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password/profile issues, or Resume Builder), please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center. We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST.
  • If you are experiencing a significant hardship that hinders your ability to apply online, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement prior to the vacancy closing date and during regular business hours to discuss your situation.

Agency contact information

Audrey Zimmerman
Address
Emergency Services Office
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

We will update applicant statuses when:

  • A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified/eligible, no additional updates will be provided.
  • Applications are referred to the selecting official.
  • A selection decision has been made.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after announcement's closing date. Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position.


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


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