Firefighter (Paramedic) – US Department of the Army – Fort Rucker, AL

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialize 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: One year of specialized experience which includes; (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; (6) determining life and health hazards; and/or (7) developing, implementing, or providing 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-08).

In addition to specialized experience, the position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for each grade level:

• Firefighter I,
• Firefighter II,
• Airport Firefighter,
• HAZMAT Technician,
• Driver Operator-Pumper,
• Driver Operator-Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF),
• National Registry Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (NREMT).

This position requires that the incumbent possess and maintain the following DoD IFSAC or Pro-Board issued certifications.

NOTE: For each certification listed above, you MUST submit a copy with your application package or you will be rated in-eligible*.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone – 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 Communication
• Emergency Medical Care
• Emergency Response
• Firefighting Equipment

This position has been identified by Department of Army and approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness as a covered primary, rigorous position for special retirement coverage as identified in 5 CFR 831 Subpart I for CSRS Retirement coverage and 5 CFR 842 Subpart H for FERS retirement coverage. The individual hired is subject to Special Retirement provisions to include additional contributions to the retirement fund, mandatory separation/retirement at age 57 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service, options for early retirement at any age after 25 years of approved special retirement provisions service, or at age 50 with 20 years of approved special retirement provisions service.

Department of Defense (DoD), in accordance with 5 USC 3307, has determined an individual must be appointed to their first/original appointment into a DoD position that has been identified and approved as a primary firefighter no later than the last day of the month in which they become 37. Preference eligible veterans over the age of 37, may apply regardless of the age restriction. If selected, a waiver of the age restriction will be requested by the hiring official for approval by the Department of Army.

An individual who is past the maximum entry age (37) who previously served in an approved primary position may be reinstated to a covered primary position provided they meet the applicable qualification requirements AND will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered service as a firefighter by the last day of the month in which they become 57.

The Department of Army may approve an exception to the maximum entry age (37) for the original entry of a non-veteran-preference-eligible applicant into a primary covered firefighter position. Exceptions shall be extremely rare and based only on a compelling hardship to the mission. Should an exception be granted, the employee shall be separated on the last day of the month in which he/she completes 20 years of special retirement provisions covered service.

In addition to providing the required eligibility documentation listed elsewhere in this job announcement, you must provide sufficient documentation to determine proof of age. This documentation should be attached under Special Retirement Coverage as identified in the Required Documents section.

For reentry into a primary covered position, you must also provide sufficient documentation (SF-50s) to show length of service in a previous covered firefighter position.