Firefighter/Paramedic

Quick Facts

• Role: Firefighter/Paramedic

• Primary focus: Advanced life support emergency response, firefighting/rescue, and hazardous materials first-responder duties

Description

Provide advanced medical care and emergency response as a Firefighter (Paramedic), maintaining readiness for potential emergencies and responding as directed by leadership.

Duties cover paramedic-level assessment and treatment (including ECG/defibrillation, advanced airways, CPAP, IV medications/fluids) as well as firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials response, and station/emergency equipment support.

Responsibilities

• Perform paramedic advanced life support: physical assessment, ECG, manual defibrillation, emergency external pacing, advanced/invasive airway procedures, CPAP, pediatric assessment, emergency childbirth, and medication administration (oral/IV)

• Provide information to medical providers en-route and upon arrival

• Perform Intermediate Life Support tasks, including high-level airway procedures (esophageal/dual lumen), oral intubation via laryngoscopy, IV fluid starts, and protocol-driven medication administration

• Conduct firefighting and rescue operations using proper extinguishing methods; operate in hazardous environments with appropriate PPE

• Provide hazardous materials first-responder support: establish safe perimeter/control access area while awaiting law enforcement

• Provide medical support to injured individuals: direct pressure/tourniquets, airway checks, CPR, immobilize for transport, and related functions

• Maintain fire station and emergency response readiness: equipment maintenance/minor repairs, ladder/vehicle/equipment testing, alarm desk watch, logbooks, and alerting personnel

• Operate/drive complex firefighting/emergency vehicles and participate in required training and certification maintenance

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location

• English proficiency (basic written and spoken)

• Selective Service registration (for males born after 12/31/1959)

• Complete required hiring steps, including an online assessment

• Drug-testing compliance for testing-designated positions (urinalysis; refusal denied)

• Pre-placement physical examination and participation in a physical fitness program

• Background/security investigation

• Seasonal influenza vaccination program participation

• Serve a 1-year probationary period (public interest fitness evaluation)

• Current and valid state driver’s license

• Firefighter II certification (NFPA 1001)

• Hazardous Material Operations level certification (NFPA 472)

• Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic certification (Advanced Life Support)

• Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator certification (NFPA 1002)

• One full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, documented with job duties and start/end dates and hours worked per week

• Maximum entry age: cannot have reached 37th birthday at appointment (re-entry exceptions apply)

• Ability to work inside/outside in adverse weather/extreme heat and potentially in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) environments

Benefits

Federal government roles provide a comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families; eligibility depends on the specific position type and full-time/part-time status.