This position serves as Firefighter/EMT/Hazardous Materials Operations to provide fire prevention and protection services for a VA Medical Center that is comprised of 27 buildings spanning 157 acres of land and two remote community-based outpatient clinics. The degree of hazard ranges from low to high and includes a variety of building and occupant types.

Duties

***This is an Open and Continuous announcement for multiple positions and can be taken down at any time but no later than September 29, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 15 business days after the open date. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals on an as-needed basis. Duties include but are not limited to: Performs work to control and extinguish fires, rescues persons endangered by fire or other hazardous situations, and reduces or eliminates potential fire hazards. Responds to all fire alarms and medical emergencies. Drives and operates firefighting apparatuses of significant complexity, and, is knowledgeable so as to instruct other firefighters in the driving and operation of two pumpers and all allied equipment carried on the trucks. Instructs others in the principles of hydraulics as they pertain to water flow, friction and friction loss, etc. Plans and initiates effective methods for the evacuation of patients and employees in emergency situations; to include disabled or confused patients, entrapped fire fighters, or others needing assistance. Participates in station fire and disaster drills. Performs noninvasive medical procedures. Ensures that fire inspections are completed in all buildings and areas of the medical center. Oversees and performs preventive maintenance of firefighting apparatus equipment, etc., such as checking batteries, tires, fuel, oil levels, sirens and lights, etc. Checks all firefighting equipment on the trucks as to condition and cleanliness. Attends and conducts training for personnel as directed by the Fire Chief in all phases of firefighting and protection within the structural series. 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. Telework: Not applicable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations)/PD06116A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This position is covered by AFGE bargaining unit. Per the AFGE Master Agreement, the Area of Consideration will be: 1st Area of Consideration - Current Facility and CBOC employees; 2nd Area of Consideration - VA Nationwide applicants; 3rd Area of Consideration - Other Status candidates

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/29/2023. 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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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. To qualify for this position at the GS-7 level, you must meet the following: Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Such duties may include (1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; (2) rescue operations; (3) detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; (4) operation of fire communications equipment; (5) controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or (6) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention. 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, applicants must possess and maintain a valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS: For those positions requiring the operation of specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispersing 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. AGE REQUIREMENT - Maximum Entry Age: For initial appointments, applicant cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the day of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit noted, but who have previously served in a covered position may be eligible to re-enter the fire service provided that they meet specific requirements. CERTIFICATIONS: Incumbent is required to possess and maintain the following (copies of your current/valid certifications must be submitted with your application to receive credit): FIREFIGHTER II - IFSAC, Pro-Board or a State Certification DRIVER/OPERATOR- IFSAC, Pro-Board or a State Certification HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OPERATIONS - IFSAC, Pro- Board or a State Certification EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN- Must have a valid State of Louisiana or National Registry License: Valid state driver's license. FIRE INSPECTOR I and II - IFSAC, Pro- Board or a State certification within one year of employment as Firefighter/EMT (agency provided) Physical Requirements: Applicants will be given a physical examination including a treadmill and agility test. Failure to pass these tests may be justification for disqualification. Periodic medical examinations following appointment may be required to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:Analytical ThinkingEmergency CareFire ManagementTechnical Competence 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. Physical Requirements: In an emergency, work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for an extended period of time. The most common encountered applications of strength and endurance are lifting and carrying objects (up to 80 lbs.), pulling objects (up to 135 lbs.), and working with objects in front of the body (up to 125 lbs.). Activities involve prolonged periods of time standing, walking, bending, crouching, and carrying heavy firefighting tools and related equipment associated with the performance of such duties as maintenance, testing, inspections, drills, suppression, and transport of persons. Work Environment: Firefighters' work environments are so extremely hazardous, they can be killed in an instant. Firefighters can be exposed to significant concentrations of hazardous materials, including carbon monoxide, benzene, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, hydrogen chloride, dichlorofluoromethane, and particulates which are all linked to the development of severe respiratory disease. Firefighting hazards are recurring and require the use of specialized firefighting safety equipment, clothing, and procedures. The daily work environment is varied. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in areas where it is dirty, dusty, noisy, or greasy, outside in hot and cold inclement / bad weather, and, occasionally, in areas where there is danger of exposure to asbestos or lead based paint. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 US
• Name: Cynthia Rowe
• Phone: 717-205-7996
• Email: [email protected]