Fire Protection Engineer
Job Description
Location of position: GSA, Public Building Services, Region 02 -Northeast and Caribbean Region, Facilities Management Division (2PMS).
As a Fire Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for all aspects of fire protection engineering, fire safety, and fire prevention for GSA-controlled spaces.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.
Technical Competence:
Expert knowledge of advanced concepts, theories, principles, and practices for fire protection engineering sufficient to provide support and technical assistance in planning, coordinating, reviewing, and providing expert technical/engineering advice relative to the regional Fire Protection Engineering Program.
Project Management:
- Skill in developing fire protection facility assessment contracts, scope, independent government estimates, and procurement in order to perform fire protection facility assessments for all GSA-controlled space and/or reviews contractor fire protection facility assessments for all GSA-controlled space and to provide authoritative advice and guidance throughout this process.
- Skill in conducting reviews of inspection, testing, and preventative maintenance (ITM) reports and repair proposals to ensure cost-effective and code compliant repairs are completed for fire protection systems and equipment.
Risk Management:
- Skill in facilitating work with GSA Facility Managers, leasing specialists, portfolio representatives to correct identified fire risk conditions and/or to make recommendations on the implementation of findings.
- Skill in performing internal fire protection and life safety reviews of proposed offered leased space (GSA Form 12000, a valid building certificate of occupancy, scaled floor plans, and maintenance records) in order to provide technical advice and guidance to a professional team of experts.
- Skill in investigating fire incidents with a level of effort in relationship to the severity of the fire incident and to work cooperatively with Federal and state investigators as a team to determine the cause and origin of fires in GSA-controlled space.
Partnership:
- Skill in facilitating highly technical work with Facility Managers, leasing specialists, portfolio representatives to correct identified fire risk conditions and/or to make recommendations on the implementation of findings.
- Expert knowledge of fire protection program in order to provide training to GSA Facility Managers, GSA leasing specialists, GSA project managers, GSA personnel, Federal agencies, etc., on various fire protection program activities.
Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.
Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.
If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.
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.
You will have access to many benefits including:
- Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
- Life insurance coverage with several options
- Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
- Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
- Flexible work schedules
- Transit and child care subsidies
- Flexible spending accounts
- Long-term care insurance
- Training and development
Eligibility for benefits depends on
Responsibilities
- Provide advice, consultation, and professional judgement on technically complex fire protection engineering related matters to appropriate individuals and regional management.
- Assure that all matters conform to fire protection requirements in GSA policy, regulations, and codes and standards.
- Ensure that assigned projects are technically correct for both design and construction and are consistent with the appropriate current practices in the industry.
- Participate in each phase of the project from concept through design, construction, final acceptance, and occupancy to ensure fire protection and life safety requirements are satisfactory incorporated into the project.
- Review and/or develop fire protection facility assessment contracts, scope, independent government estimates, and procurement.
- Perform fire protection facility assessments for all GSA-controlled space and/or reviews contractor-conducted fire protection facility assessments for all GSA-controlled space.
- Ensure the probability and severity of risks are cited in the fire protection facility assessments and appropriate risk reductions strategies are developed based on unique characteristics of each facility.
- Work with Facility Managers, leasing specialists, portfolio representatives to correct identified fire risk conditions.
- Provide training to GSA Facility Managers, GSA leasing specialists, GSA project managers, GSA personnel, Federal agencies, etc., on various fire protection program activities.
- Work with local fire departments, when necessary, to resolve challenges regarding their ability to service Federal facilities within GSA control, improve relations with local fire service officials, and assist as requested with training or exercises to improve knowledge and abilities of local firefighters responding to GSA facilities.
Job Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
- Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
- Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
- Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
- Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or NonCareer SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
- Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
- Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
- Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
Qualifications
For each job on your resume, provide:
- the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
- number of hours per week you worked (if part time).
If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.
For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here.
The GS-13 salary range starts at $105,383 per year. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS:
- Degree: Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum.
- Degree: Professional Engineering including differential & integral calculus & courses (more advanced than 1st yr. physics & chemistry) in 5 of the following areas: statics, dynamics; strength of materials; fluid mechanics, hydraulics; thermodynamics; electrical fields & circuits; nature & properties of material (relating to particle & aggregate structure to properties) & any other comparable area of engineering science or physics such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronic.
- College level education, training and or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical & mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques, and their applications to one of the branches of engineering, evidenced by current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
- College level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical & mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques, and their applications to one of the branches of engineering, evidenced by successfully passing the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination.
- College level education, training and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical & mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences & techniques, and their applications to one of the branches of engineering, evidenced by successfully passing the written test administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, D.C., Guam or Puerto Rico.
- College level education, training & or technical experience -- Evidenced by successful completion of at least 60 semester hrs. or courses in the physical, mathematical, & engineering sciences & in engineering that included the courses specified in Option A above. Courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum.
- College level education, training & or technical experience - Evidenced by successful completion of a curriculum leading a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field (e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology), AND at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision & guidance.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the Basic Requirements, all candidates must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that includes:
- Reviewing, inspecting, and analyzing fire and smoke protection systems and the installation of such systems to ensure code compliance and safe occupancy for office buildings, laboratories, data centers, and/or similar buildings.
- Designing fire protection and/or smoke mitigation systems and developing related cost estimates for office buildings, laboratories, data centers, and/or similar buildings.
- Conducting risk analysis of building occupancy and contents and fire/smoke protection systems to develop solutions that ensure a safe environment for occupants and comply with applicable codes.
- Influencing, motivating, or persuading individuals or groups to collaborate and accept findings/recommendations.
This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
Education
Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
Additional information
Bargaining Unit Status:
This position is eligible for the bargaining unit
If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.
On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:
· Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
· Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee
· Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government
Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.
We are also accepting applications from all U.S. Citizens and Nationals under Vacancy Announcement #2P-2025-0036. You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.
GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including:
- Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
- Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is:
- Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
- Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
- Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.
