Military Firefighter

Department of Defense, Veterans' and Emergency Management - Maine Air National Guard Fire Station 

Job Class Code: 0086
Grade: 17 (Operations, Maintenance and Support Services)
Salary: $55,974 - $74,384
Location: Bangor, ME

Opening Date: February 27, 2024

Closing Date:  March 12, 2024

Investigative and protective services work that includes conducting crash rescue operations as well as preventing and suppressing fires on both aircraft and structures. Among the responsibilities are fighting fires, carrying out crash rescue missions, and using and maintaining firefighting apparatus. Working in a team and dealing with potentially dangerous situations are requirements of the job. The ability to use and maintain specialized vehicles and equipment used in aircraft firefighting and rescue operations, as well as to respond to aircraft fire and crash rescue situations, are all skills that employees in this classification must have. Work is completed with little oversight.

Primary responsibilities include:  

• Fights structural and aircraft fires as a member of a firefighting team to carry out fire suppression responsibilities.
• Responds to crash rescue situations to save lives and minimize property damage.
• Drives firefighting and/or rescue vehicles to scene of a fire, crash, or exercise; and maneuvers vehicle to place vehicle in the most practical and effective position.
• Operates the pump to maintain pressure of water, foam, or chemicals at the desired level.
• Applies First Aid/First Response medical care to injured persons to provide emergency medical assistance.
• Inspects assigned fire apparatus and associated equipment, repairs and refills fire extinguishers, and refills breathing apparatus to ensure equipment is operational and meets established standards.
• Cleans and polishes all kinds of firefighting/crash and rescue apparatus and equipment to ensure proper working order and maximize availability.
• Updates knowledge of structural and crash firefighting and rescue techniques, breathing apparatus, first aid, fire prevention, and a variety of modern firefighting equipment to maintain established job performance standards.
• Participates in emergency responses to hazardous materials spills and potential explosive situations to contain toxic and volatile substances.  
• Studies technical orders, regulations, manuals, directives, and operating instructions to maintain individual firefighting proficiency and ability to work as a team member.
• Receives calls for emergency response, dispatches appropriate personnel to act and initiate appropriate emergency response.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of structural and aircraft firefighting and rescue methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of specialized firefighting and rescue vehicles, equipment, agents, and protective clothing.
• Knowledge of the construction features and location of operating systems on all types of civilian and military aircraft to include jet aircraft, helicopters, and various types of transient aircraft.
• Knowledge of basic emergency medical procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of basic hazardous materials spill cleanup methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of safety and clean up equipment used in containing hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of First Aid/First Response level medical methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of state and federal emergency communications network and teletype systems.
• Ability to operate firefighting and rescue vehicles used to respond to aircraft emergencies and disasters.
• Ability to use specialized firefighting and rescue equipment.
• Ability to perform First Aid/First Responder procedures.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
• Ability to work in stressful and potentially dangerous situations.
• Ability to lift heavy objects and climb and maneuver in and around high and confining areas.
• Ability to use and operate various communications equipment.
• Ability to read and comprehend aircraft operations manuals and schematics.

Minimum qualifications:

Three (3) years experience in an organized fire department. Preference will be given to candidates who have previous experience in aircraft firefighting and rescue. Graduation from a certified Military Fire Fighter Academy can be substituted for three (3) years education.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

• Training in handling hazardous materials leading to a Certification in HAZMAT – Operations Level.
• Training in First Aid/First Responder Level.
• Must hold both a valid State of Maine driver’s license and be able to obtain and hold a valid Government driver’s license commensurate with the firefighting vehicles located at the 101 ARW.
• All Current or future military firefighting personnel covered by the contract be required to complete one six-year enlistment with the military either before or during their first years of employment.

Licensing requirements within 6 months of hire: 

• Training in handling hazardous materials leading to a Certification in HAZMAT – Operations Level.
• Training in First Aid/First Responder Level.
• Must hold both a valid State of Maine driver’s license and be able to obtain and hold a valid Government driver’s license commensurate with the firefighting vehicles located at the 101 ARW.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to the Senior Fire Officer on duty at 207-404-7235.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application.  In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period.  Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700.  Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME  04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018.  Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included.  Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.  

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including: 

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3 weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes  13.41% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program. 
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.