If selected for this position as a GS-0081-07, Firefighter your duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as a firefighter, responds to fire alarms for all classes of fires, including those involving radioactive and/or hazardous materials, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents. Assess fire ground conditions for safety.
• Incumbent will be assigned as equipment driver-operator of motorized apparatus; as such incumbent is required to drive apparatus to the scene, position apparatus as required by the nature and extent of the emergency, lay hose lines as directed, hook up hose lines to be used, calculate pressures required for individual lines depending on size and length of line and pressure required to maintain constant pressure with regard to size and type nozzles to be used, closely observe the operation of pump, and regulates pressures to maintain a continuous flow of water at the volume and pressure required to effectively control and extinguish fire.
• The driver/operator of the aerial tower is also responsible for truck company operations to include, laddering, overhaul, ventilation, forcible entry, rescue, searching for victims, checking for extension, lighting, utility control, elevated streams, and salvage.
• Incumbent is responsible for driving equipment and personnel to the scene without creating an undue hazard. Incumbent also operates auxiliary equipment at the scene.
• Incumbent maintains the fire apparatus and auxiliary equipment carried thereon in first class condition and in a state of readiness to respond immediately to any emergency call.
• Other duties include inspection and protection of valuable property and research. Work involves operating and maintaining fire, rescue and emergency medical services apparatus and equipment. Performs the full range of fire suppression activities such as confinement, extinguishment, overhaul, salvage, etc., as required to mitigate the emergency. The incumbent is responsible for radio and telephone communications and the proper receiving and relaying of information.
• Performs fire prevention inspections, and tests equipment such as hydrants, fire extinguishers, and fire detection, suppression and alarm systems. Performs maintenance and recharge work on fire extinguishers and related equipment.
• As an Emergency Medical Technician with Basic Life Support training, responds to all medical emergencies; at times working under severe conditions and circumstances in providing emergency treatment and stabilization of the critically ill or injured.
• As a qualified Hazardous Materials Technician, the incumbent is responsible for responding to complex hazardous materials releases (i.e., chemical, biological, radiological).

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
• If selected, must pass a pre-employment physical examination which requires a high degree of physical fitness/agility/and dexterity for sustained periods. Immunizations are required.
• If selected, you cannot have reached your 37th birthday prior to an initial Federal Firefighter appointment. If selected, you will be covered by a bargaining unit (union). You must be able to lift heavy items weighing over 50 lbs. or more.
• If selected, you will be required to work weekend hours, night shifts, regular or rotational shifts, holiday hours. This position has on-call or call-back requirements during emergencies.
• If selected, you will be required to wear a uniform and may be required to use heavy, cumbersome, restrictive personal protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, shields, body armor, encapsulating suits, etc.
• You must be able to stand for prolonged periods on concrete floors and walk over rough and uneven terrain. The selectee must be able to bend, stoop, walk, stand, and climb, and work in cramped positions.
• The selectee must be able to work outdoors under all weather conditions. You may work in hazardous environments or handle hazardous substances.
• If selected, you must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security investigation.
• If selected, you must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• If selected, you must obtain and maintain the following Licenses/Certifications: Hazmat Technician meeting the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.120.
• If selected, you must obtain and maintain certification by the University of Maryland or the National Certification Review Board at the Fire Fighter I and II level.
• If selected, you must obtain and maintain certification by the University of Maryland or another certified training agency in Confined Space Rescue meeting the requirements of the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146.
• If selected, you must obtain and maintain Automatic External Defibrillator certification. Must possess a current certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, meeting AHA standards.

Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, CONTINUED:

• If selected, you must possess a current certification by the State of Maryland or the National registry as an Emergency Medical Technician. Incumbent who possesses National Registry certification, must obtain certification from the State of Maryland within six months of appointment.
• Incumbents are required to obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or a Class B non-commercial driver's license, or an equivalent license, within six (6) months of the date of appointment. Failure to obtain and maintain the required license within the specified timeframe may result in removal from the position.
• If selected, you will be expected to complete the following courses: Pumps and Hydraulics, Emergency Vehicle Operations, and Aerial Apparatus Operator and successfully pass each course.
• If selected, you will be expected to complete the following courses: Advanced chemical, radiological, biological response training, advanced chemical, and radiological biological agents' behavior and toxicology training and successfully pass each course.
• If selected, you will be expected to complete the following course: Radiation Safety for Firefighters training sponsored by the NIH Division of Radiation Safety, Office of Research Services and successfully pass.
• If selected, you must successfully complete an annual Job Performance test. If selected, you must participate in the department's cardiovascular physical fitness program to include a physical exercise program and annual physical examination.
• If selected, you will be subject to periodic (e.g., annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position.
• This is a Testing Designated Position. Incumbent must submit to and successfully pass a urinalysis drug screening prior to appointment. The Incumbent will also be subject to unannounced random drug testing for the duration of their time in this position.

You qualify at the GS-07 level, if you meet the following qualification requirement:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:

1) combating fires requiring the operation of firefighter equipment.
2) rescuing people under difficult and dangerous situations.
3) driving, operating, and positioning on scene firefighting apparatuses of significant complexity.
4) performing initial incident analyses involving hazardous materials.
5) providing pre-hospital basic life support and emergency care that is non-invasive.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

In addition to the previous requirements, you must demonstrate possession of the following selective factor to qualify for the position:

• Current certification by the State of Maryland or the National Registry as an Emergency Medical Technician.