This Firefighter (Basic Life Support) position is in (Public Safety Department), Fire Department at VA Maine Healthcare System. This position is a full-time at 72 hours per week.

Duties

The Firefighter serves as a team member effectively controlling and extinguishing fires, operates hose lines, makes forced entries, ventilates structures, perform or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers, and performs salvage and overhaul. Also performs rescues, emergency medical care, hazardous materials spill response and serves as the driver operator of motorized firefighting and rescue vehicles. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Performs initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination. Determines priority of patient care based on assessment findings. Takes, records, and monitors patient's baseline vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. Manages respiratory and cardiac emergencies to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bag-valve-mask resuscitation, or automatic external defibrillation (AED). Controls external bleeding with direct pressure and treats shock with pneumatic anti-shock garments. Attempts to ascertain whether the patient has preexisting medical problems and to obtain a comprehensive drug history from the patient that includes the names, strength, and dosage of drugs taken by the patient. Assists patients in taking emergency medications for certain complaints; e.g., Nitroglycerin tablets for chest pain, Epinephrine auto-injections for allergic reactions, or Albuterol inhalers for asthma patients, under the direction of standing orders or of a physician. Establishes communication with the receiving facility, providing all patient information including estimated time of arrival. Employs a variety of established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport as soon as possible to the receiving facility. Prepares appropriate and relevant patient care documentation and reports to ensure medical requirements are met and accurately reported. Uses and maintains care of emergency equipment such as backboards, suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers; properly disposes of biohazard materials; and replaces medical and expendable supplies. Performs other related duties as required. This position may be filled at the GS-5, GS-6, or GS-7 level. If filled at the GS-5 or GS-6 level, the incumbent will be eligible for promotion when all regulatory requirements are met, i.e., time-in-grade and specialized experience requirements. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: This position involves rotating shift work: Seventy-two (72) hours per week. The Fire Department operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week utilizing a 2 platoon system in which employees are assigned to alternating shifts. Firefighter is subject to overtime call back and mandatory overtime to ensure mandatory compliance with minimum crew manning requirements. Position is considered "essential" as regards reporting during inclement weather or other adverse conditions. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD00447A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is in the Competitive Service. Time-in-Grade Restriction: 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. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104 (1) and (3)] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System. Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees

Requirements

Qualifications

The incumbent will have 24 months to obtain IFSAC or PRO-BOARD Driver Operator, 24 months to obtain IFSAC or PROBOARD Hazardous materials Operations , 24 Months to obtain PROBOARD or IFSAC Fire Inspector 2, 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-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04 grade-level. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 grade-level. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06 grade-level. 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. GS-5: 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. OR, Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study. OR, Combination of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable. GS-6: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given you the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter at the GS-6 level. Such duties 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 GS-7: Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter at the GS-7 level. Such duties 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: Incumbent will be required to obtain a Fire Inspector II certification in accordance with NFPA 1031 within 24 months of employment. In addition to the above requirements, you must also meet the following: ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. 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: 1) Meet all applicable qualifications for the position; and 2) Will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered and creditable Federal firefighter service by the time the Federal firefighter reaches the age of 57. Prior service in covered positions and creditable towards retirement may be subtracted from the applicant's age to determine if the Federal firefighter meets the maximum entry age. 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. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test and provide information on their driving record. See 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual for additional requirements for motor vehicle operators. Please do not submit a copy of your driver's license. If you are called for an interview, you WILL be REQUIRED to provide a copy of your license at that time. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsCritical ThinkingEducation and TrainingOrganizational StewardshipTechnical 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: The performance of fire and safety inspections throughout the Campus routinely requires considerable walking, stooping, bending and climbing on a daily basis. May be required to lift and carry heavy objects, including equipment over 50 pounds and victims of fires or other emergencies. Working conditions may include heavy physical exertion, extreme heat, smoke and dust in enclosed smoke filled places, in all types of weather. The Firefighter must pass a fitness for duty physical. This physical will include examinations for both firefighter and hazardous materials response. The medical examination will include but limited to a history relating to the handling and exposure to hazardous materials and the Firefighters ability to wear any required personal protective equipment including respirators, under conditions including temperature extremes that may be expected at the work site. 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

Training, education, and professional development programs in accordance with applicable NFPA standards will be provided as needed to support the minimum qualifications and certifications expected of VA fire department personnel.

Contacts

• Address Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: Dawn Yamura
• Phone: (808) 433-0184
• Email: [email protected]