This position is included under the provisions of Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and may have both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date. Click here for more information on SRC for Firefighters (Primary/Rigorous)
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
FOR THE GS-04 POSITION:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that includes classroom training or courses in Fire Science, basic firefighter training, or on-the-job training associated with the use of fire equipment, fire safety or firefighting. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-03).
OR
Education: Two years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, or other related fields of study.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 60. Add the two percentages.
FOR THE GS-05 POSITION:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer or governmental fire department or brigade. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).
OR
Education: Four years of education above the high school level in an accredited college or university in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages.
FOR THE GS-06 POSITION:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience assisting in the controlling and extinguishing fires; implementing or providing training in fire protection and prevention; operation of fire communications equipment; experience operating emergency vehicles under adverse weather and/or traffic conditions; This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service GS-05).
FOR THE GS-07 POSITION:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes controlling and extinguishing fires; performing rescue operations and inspections to detect, reduce, and eliminate the potential of fire hazards; operating fire communications equipment; providing training in fire protection and prevention; controlling hazardous materials incidents; experience operating emergency vehicles under adverse weather and/or traffic conditions; or experience performing patient examinations and providing patient care. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For GS-06 & 07 grade levels, no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
- Emergency Medical Care
- Fire Suppression
- Firefighting Equipment
- Hazardous Materials Response
PHYSICAL EFFORT: Rigorous, heavy physical effort is required in the frequent handling of objects such as cylinders and extinguishers weighing 50 lbs or more; may be required to lift/carry personnel such as an adult male in emergency situations. Duties require the full use of both arms, both legs and fingers to bend, turn, pull, crawl, kneel, and climb for such tasks as use of aerial ladders, firefighting equipment controls, arranging/connecting hoses, rappelling, operation of fire truck and all types of rescue operations, etc. The incumbent must be able to meet and maintain physical agility and stamina standards, which are established for this position.
WORKING CONDITIONS: This position requires the employee to work under adverse environmental conditions. When responding to an emergency the incumbent may be subject to dense smoke, flames, extreme heat, cold, dust, water, and possible explosions and exposure to toxic fumes and materials. Must be able to maintain necessary alertness, self-control, and emotional stability under emergency conditions.
Maximum Entry Age (MEA)
The MEA for Firefighters is 37. An employee originally hired into a covered position must be hired by the last day of the month he/she reaches 37.
Maximum Reentry Age
An employee who previously served on a covered position may be rehired past the MEA as long as he/she is able to complete 20 years of covered service by his/her mandatory retirement age. The maximum re-entry age for the individual is calculated by determining the total amount of time he/she has served on a covered position and subtracting that from age 57 if a firefighter. The employee's current age is compared to the calculated maximum re-entry age to determine if he/she can be rehired into the covered position.
Waivers to Maximum Entry Age
MEA may be waived, but only under specific circumstances and only if approved by the authorized entity: Waivers to MEA for firefighters must be approved by local Command.