Firefighter (intermediate Life Support)

Firefighter (Intermediate Life Support)

This position provides fire prevention and protection/suppression services including emergency medical care (basic life support). The degree of hazard ranges from low to high, and includes eight three to four story mixed occupancy buildings. Responsibilities duties include, but are not limited to: performing firefighting operations, search and rescue operations, emergency decontaminations, mobile hospital deployments, advance cardiac life support (ACLS) response, intra-facility emergency medical transport, security operations within capabilities of the fire department, humanitarian assistance, emergency operations and incident command, and hazardous materials response. Performs fire safety inspections to reduce life and property hazards. Serves as a team member effectively controlling and extinguishing fires, operates various nozzles, hose lines, connects to and operates fire hydrants, forcible entries, ventilates structures, uses ground ladders, performs/assists rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers, performs salvage and overhaul. Performs advance cardiac life support in strict compliance with VA, standing orders, and protocols. Reports in a clear, concise manner, orally or in writing, what injuries were identified and what patient care was administered at the emergency scene and in transit. Prepares a complete written report on each emergency ambulance response. Prepares and maintains a variety of charts, reports and logs in support of the EMS. Serves as a member of the medical center hazardous materials response team (HMRT). Drives the fire apparatus to the scene of the emergency following a predetermined route, or selects an alternate route when necessary; positions the apparatus, considering factors such as wind direction, water sources, hazards from falling structures, etc.

Work Schedule: Firefighters work a rotating shift work; seventy-two (72) hours per week. Fire department operates twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week in which employees are assigned to alternating shifts of twenty-four (24) hours. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Intermediate Life Support)/PD03419A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Pre-employment physical required.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted state driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency government vehicle drivers physical examination. Note: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license.

Must be certified in providing continued care at the scene of the medical emergency or accident until relieved by a higher level of care.

Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/15/2025.

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.

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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; conducts rescue operations; detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; operation of fire communications equipment; controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.
• You will be rated on the following competencies for this position:
• Communication
• Emergency Care
• Fire Management
• Hazardous Materials
• 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.

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.

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.

Medical Requirements Applicants for positions that have duties of an arduous or hazardous nature must meet the medical standards described below. Since individual positions may not include all such duties, a physical condition or impairment may be disqualifying for employment only if there is a direct relationship between the condition and the nature of the duties of the specific position to be filled. Employees in positions involving firefighting duties or other duties involving arduous physical exertion may be subject to periodic (e.g., annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. (See 5 CFR 339.) Any serious deviation from sound medical condition may be grounds for rejection of an applicant regardless of whether the condition is named below. Remediable defects or curable diseases will not exclude a person from consideration, but proof that such defects have been remedied or the disease cured must be received during the life of the eligible register before persons otherwise qualified may be considered for appointment under civil service rules.

• Eyes: Corrected distant vision must be at least 20/30 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye. Uncorrected distant vision is required only if it is likely that corrective lenses may be lost or broken. If so, uncorrected distant vision must be at least 20/100 binocular. Ability to distinguish basic colors is required. Applicants must be free from acute or chronic eye disease.
• Ears: Using an audiometer for measurement, there should be no loss of 30 or more decibels in the unaided worst ear at the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz levels.
• Nose, Mouth, and Throat: Applicants must be free from conditions that interfere with distinct speech, free breathing, or with the use of breathing apparatuses or protective equipment.