The Lead Firefighter is responsible for directing and assigning day-to-day activities, for lower graded Fire Department personnel in all fire protection services (including fire/safety building inspections, inspections of first aid and firefighting equipment, maintenance of the fire station, firefighting quarters, apparatus, equipment and appliances), and performs firefighting tasks. When on duty, responds to all fire alarms.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/17/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Use Of Selective Factors Some positions in this series require knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to those described in this qualification standard. For such positions, job-specific selective factors may be required to ensure that applicants have the background necessary for successful performance in the position to be filled. This position includes Selective Placement Factors (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet them are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factors for this position are: FIREFIGHTER I and II - NFPA 1001 Standards HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OPERATIONS RESPONDER - NFPA 472 Standards DRIVER/OPERATOR - NFPA 1002 Standards FIRE OFFICER 1 - NFPA 1021 certification within one year of employment as Lead Firefighter/Crew Chief (agency will provide) You must submit copies of your above certifications with your application to receive credit. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-07, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Experience that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Such duties may include (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 and/or (6) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Thinking Critical Thinking Emergency Care Fire Management 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements/Work Environment: In an emergency, work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for an extendedperiod of time. The most common encountered applications of strength and endurance are lifting and carrying objects (up to 80 lbs.), pulling objects (up to 135 lbs.), and working with objects in front of the body (up to 125 lbs.). Activities involve prolonged periods of time standing, walking, bending, crouching, and carrying heavy firefighting tools and related equipment associated with the performance of such duties as maintenance, testing, inspections, drills, suppression, and transport of persons. Firefighter's work environments are so extremely hazardous they can kill in an instant. Firefighters can be exposed to significant concentrations of hazardous materials including carbon monoxide, benzene, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, hydrogen chloride, dichlorofluoromethane, and particulates which are all linked to the development of severe respiratory disease. Firefighting hazards are recurring and require the use of specialized firefighting safety equipment, clothing, and procedures. The daily work environment is varied. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in areas where it is dirty, dusty, noisy, or greasy, hot and cold inclement / bad weather, and occasionally in areas where there is danger of exposure to asbestos or lead based paint. MAXIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a maximum entry age for an initial appointment; applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit noted, but who have previously served as a Federal employee in a covered position, may be eligible to re-enter the fire service provided that they: (1) meet all applicable qualifications for the position and (2) will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered and creditable Federal firefighter service by the time the Federal firefighter reaches the age of 57. Prior service in covered positions and creditable towards retirement may be subtracted from the applicant's age to determine if the Federal firefighter meets the maximum entry age. Requirements For Motor Vehicle Operation: For those positions requiring employees to drive motorized firefighting equipment, candidates must possess and maintain a valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test and provide information on their driving record. See 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual for additional requirements for motor vehicle operators. Mechanical Equipment Operator Qualifications: For those positions requiring the operation of specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispensing devices, and/or rescue tools, applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability, before appointment, to operate the specific equipment to which they will be assigned, or similar related types of hydraulic equipment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Duties include: Solves problems and issues quickly and effectively, involving a methodical step-by-step approach to thinking. Breaks down complex problems into single and manageable components and considers each part in detail. Makes a systematic comparison of various alternatives; notices discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; identifies a set of features, parameters, or consideration to take into account. Objectively analyzes and evaluates and issues in order to form an opinion, judgement, and conclusion. Uses logic and reasoning to research, interpret and apply information such as regulatory, and or procedural guidance. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusion or approaches to problems; integrates information into development of a resolution. Anticipates future disasters and takes preventative and preparatory measures. Uses sound risk management principles in assigning priorities and resources. Recognizes signs of medical emergencies; applies knowledge of basic first-aid principles in responding to emergency situations. Performs emergency medical methods, such as first aid, rescue techniques, and threat assessments. Performs emergency management methods, such as first aid. Performs emergency medicine techniques to determine, based on the diagnosis of the patient, the approaches that will most effectively sustain the patient's life. Applies professional knowledge of emergency management principles; considers and takes into account all hazards, phases, stakeholders and impacts relative to disaster. Employs hazard and risk assessment techniques to complete incident analysis. Utilizes concepts, principles, and theories of fire management, including the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of fire; methodologies, strategies, and equipment used in prescribed fires. Uses fire detection, prevention, and suppression strategies; and integration of fire with natural resource management. Uses rescue techniques and threat assessments. Uses special protection, self-contained breathing apparatus, and protective clothing where chemicals, poisonous materials, radioactive materials, or hazardous biological products are involved. Performs the duties of an assigned position within the local incident Management System (IMS); assists in incident debriefings and critiques; and prepares incident reports and documentation. Work Schedule: Rotating; The employee is required to work a 72-hour week on a 48-hour on/72-hour off basis that includes weekends, and holidays. May be subject to recall. May be required to work long and irregular hours during the course of emergency response or to accomplish mandated inspection, training requirements and to ensure coverage. Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations)/PD06120A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized