Firefighter (Basic Life Support / Hazardous Materials Technician)
About This Position
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce. About the Position: This position is being announced at multiple grades and may be filled at any grade level.
This position is under Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and may have both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date. For more information follow this link: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol336.pdf?ver=2017-12-01-105458-707
Qualifications
Who May Apply: US Citizens 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. Specialized Experience GS-05: 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; responding to basic hazardous incidents; and participating in firefighting and rescue operations.
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
- Then divide your semester hours of education by 120. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience GS-06: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) control and extinguish fires; 2) operate emergency vehicles under adverse weather and/or traffic conditions; and 3) participate as a member of a crew to contain or control hazardous materials incidents.
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). Specialized Experience GS-07: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) control and extinguish fires; 2) operate emergency vehicles under adverse weather and/or traffic conditions; 3) perform rescue operations/providing prompt and efficient patient care; 4) detect, reduce, or eliminate potential fire hazards; and 5) control hazardous materials incidents and/or develop, implement, or provide training in fire protection and prevention. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).
No education substitution for the GS-6 or GS-7 grade levels. Proof of Age: As this is a primary/rigorous firefighter position your application package MUST include a government issued document indicating your date of birth. Failure to submit this document will result in your application being marked as incomplete and you WILL NOT receive further consideration for this position.
Major Duties
This is being announced at multiple grade levels. Duties listed below will be performed in a developmental capacity at the GS-05/06 grade level. At the full performance, GS-07, the incumbent will:
Respond to all fire emergencies to include those involving radioactive and/or hazardous materials, medical emergencies, rescue operations, wild land fires, hazardous material incidents and aircraft emergencies.
Use firefighting equipment to include hoses, ladders, hydrants, firefighting vehicles, etc. to control the incident.
Respond to emergencies which may include hazardous material.
Analyze the hazardous incident and determine the magnitude of the problem.
Serve as a first responder to medical emergencies and perform medical procedures that are noninvasive.
Education
No education substitution for the GS-6 or GS-7 grade levels. If you meet the GS-5 grade level based on your education, please submit a copy of your transcripts. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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 an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
How You Will Be Evaluated
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.
Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.
Additional Information
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
This position may require a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
This is a Safety and Occupation Health Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. 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 https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized subject to an agency determination Further certification from this announcement may take place up to 180 days beyond the closing date of this announcement.
Since Alaska is considered an overseas location, statutory return rights are applicable in many circumstances. 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.
Applicants must comply with the Exceptional Family Member Program requirements as outlined in the DoD Instruction 1315.19 at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/131519p.pdf Management may select any grade level announced for this position with noncompetitive promotion to the GS-07. Noncompetitive promotion potential to target grade. This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to the target grade of the position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/04/2026 to receive consideration Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete. It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), 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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.
Required Documents
The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements. As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
1.
Your resume: Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement.
If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position. Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood.
The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy. For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.
- Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable This position allows for substitution of education for experience at the GS-5 grade level. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses This position requires a job-related license or certification.
You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
- DoD Firefighter Certificates (GS-05, GS-06, GS-07): You MUST submit a copy of the following: For GS-05: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Operations For GS-06: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter, HAZMAT Operations, Driver/Operator - Pumper, Driver/Operator - Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Driver/Operator - Mobile Water Supply (MWS) For GS-07: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter, HAZMAT Operations, HAZMAT Technician, Driver Operator - Pumper, Driver Operator - Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Driver/Operator - Mobile Water Supply (MWS), Wildland Firefighter IAW National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) Standards certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) AND Emergency Medical Technician (Basic), which must be issued by State of Alaska Medical Emergency Technician-I (EMT-1) or National Registry Medical Technician (EMT) license. If your application package does not contain proof of having these certificates and license, your application will be marked as incomplete, and you WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.
NOTE: Based on unique local mission requirements, applicants not holding Driver/Operator - Mobile Water Supply (MWS) and/or Wildland Firefighter may be selected at the GS-7 grade but must obtain these certifications within 12 months of being hired.
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you.
You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application.
You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.