Summary

Provides operational oversight and supervisory management for the NIST Fire Protection and Emergency Response Program. Serves as a lead official in directing responses to emergency medical, fire, and hazardous materials incidents, ensuring tactical objectives are met.

Duties

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The Supervisory Fire Chief provides operational oversight and supervisory management for the NIST Fire Protection and Emergency Response Program. This position also:

• Operational & Supervisory Management: Provides operational oversight and supervisory leadership for the NIST Fire Protection and Emergency Response Program, managing daily fire and life safety operations.
• Emergency Response & Incident Command: Serves as a lead official and exercises assigned Incident Command authority at emergency scenes, directing responses and subordinate staff during medical, fire, and hazardous materials incidents.
• Program Administration & Strategic Advisory: Administers the NIST-wide fire prevention program and provides technical recommendations to senior leadership to protect research infrastructure and personnel.
• Compliance & Safety Enforcement: Implements and monitors comprehensive fire prevention programs by enforcing established safety protocols, NFPA regulations, and federal mandates.
• Program Evaluation & Reporting: Assesses daily operations and program effectiveness, reporting key findings and operational metrics to higher-level management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Must meet time-in-grade/band requirements, as applicable
• Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination
• Completion of Confidential Financial Disclosure, Form OGE-450
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Bargaining Unit Position: Yes- IAFF, 66/016
• Selective Placement Factor: Firefighter 1 Certification, Maryland EMT B certification, Hazmat Operations Certification, MD CDL or state
  equivalent license, and Pump Operator Certificate (must be attached at time of application).

Qualifications

This position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 (ZA-2 at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as experience serving as a primary operational authority or program lead in fire and hazardous materials (hazmat) protection and prevention. This includes independently planning, developing, executing, and evaluating a comprehensive facility- or agency-wide fire and hazmat protection program; applying complex principles, standards, and regulatory procedures to mitigate fire and hazardous material risks; directing and coordinating incident response actions within an established Incident Command System (ICS) structure during complex emergency situations; and performing advanced fire emergency, suppression, and tactical functions in high-risk operational environments.

IN ADDITION, the applicant MUST be able to meet the following selective placement factor (Screen out): Skill in providing basic life support and emergency medical care as evidenced by a valid Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, EMT-B certificate.

To be considered for the position, applicants are required to provide the following certifications:

1. Certification in firefighter 1

2. Maryland Emergency Medical Technician -B Certification

3. Hazmat operations

4. Class B Driver's License/ Equivalent

5. Pump Operator Certificate

Must attach certification at time of application to be considered for the position.

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). 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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site:

Applicant Reconsideration

Education

Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
• A supervisory probationary period may be required.

This position has physical requirements which include but may not be limited to:

Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over

Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over

Reaching above shoulder

Use of fingers

Both hands required

Walking

Standing

Crawling

Kneeling

Repeated bending

Climbing, use of legs and arms

Both legs required

Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle

Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously

Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other

Both eyes required

Depth perceptionHearing (aid may be permitted)

This position has environmental factors which include, but may not be limited to:

Outside

Excessive Heat

Excessive Cold

Excessive Humidity

Excessive dampness or chilling

Dry atmospheric conditions

Excessive noise, intermittent

Constant noise

DustSilica, asbestos, etc.

Fumes, smokes, or gases

Solvents (degreasing agent)

Grease and oils

Radiant energy

Electrical energy

Slippery or uneven walking surface

Working around machinery with moving parts

Working around moving objects or vehicles

Working on ladders or scaffolding

Working below ground

Working with hands in water

Vibration

Working closely with others

Working alone

This position requires the passing of a drug test

This position requires filing of an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.