This incumbent serves as one of assigned Firefighter (Paramedics) in the Fire Section, Public Safety Service at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. This Medical Center is primarily a Neuropsychiatric facility with 360 beds consisting of inpatient, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Abuse, Nursing Home, Palliative Care, and Dementia Units. There is also a Transitional Living Program and a youth training program sponsored by the Michigan Army National Guard.

Duties

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Incumbent is certified according to the VHA Directive 7718 as a Firefighter II. The incumbent must also possess certifications as a Pumper Driver/Operator and Fire Inspector II upon hire. A current National Registry or State of Michigan Paramedic level certification is also required upon hire. The Firefighter (Paramedic) works a 48-hour tour of duty which averages to 72 hours per week to accomplish the goals and mission of the Medical Center. The Firefighter will occasionally work overtime for staffing purposes. The Firefighter (Paramedic) responds to all Medical Center emergencies, performs such firefighting duties as determining that nature and extent of the fire, the appropriate action required, laying, and disconnecting hoses, directing fire streams, operating firefighting equipment, ventilation of burning buildings, performing evacuations and rescues, administering appropriate emergency treatments, etc. Drives and operates the two fire engines and other emergency vehicles to the scene of the emergency following predetermined routes or selecting alternate route when necessary. He/she positions the apparatus considering such factors as wind direction, sources of water and hazards from falling structures. Operates pumps, foam generators, nozzles, and other similar firefighting equipment. Determines proper pressures for the distances to be pumped and the number of lines being used. Applies principles of hydraulics as they pertain to water flow friction and friction loss. Maintains a constant awareness of water levels in self-contained tanks and warns handline and rescue personnel when tanks are close to running dry. Performs checks, tests, and maintenance on fire department vehicles and equipment; troubleshoots and corrects problems during actual operations. Responds on all structural alarms and medical emergencies at the Battle Creek VAMC and at times, provides medical and fire protection as a member of the Calhoun County Mutual Aid Agreement. Transports patients to off station hospitals, hospitals, care facilities, residences and appointments providing both Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Basic Life Support (BLS) care and treatment. Provides non-invasive procedures following approved state and federal ALS level protocols in support of the attending Medical Center Physician. Performs routine maintenance and/or inspection of fire extinguishers, tools, firefighting equipment, fixed fire protection equipment, and related items. Informs the Fire Section Supervisors of any lost or damaged equipment and any mechanical failure or maintenance work required on vehicles or equipment. As required, he/she shall assist in training new firefighters of the Medical Center to ensure they are familiarized with the fire apparatus and the medical center's buildings, etc. Manage medical emergencies related to respiratory, cardiac, diabetic, cold/heat related, and all other Advanced Life Support (ALS) functions. Manage trauma related emergencies, such as falls, cuts, broken/fractured extremities, head, and back injuries. Operate firefighting and ambulance emergency vehicles Properly document patient care reports and other fire related documents. Operate as a member of hazardous materials response team. Operate as a member of a confined space rescue team. Understand aspects of a firefighting and rescue team. Safely remove occupants trapped inside elevators. Work Schedule: 48 hours on followed by 48/72 hours off Virtual: This is NOT a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Paramedic)/PD07053A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/15/2023. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. 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: 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. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Current, valid, state or national registry Paramedic certification. Documentation is required. AND Drivers License: Must possess a valid states driver's license. Documentation is required. AND Selective Placement Factor Required Certifications (SCREEN-OUT): The following certifications awarded by the State of Michigan, National Registry of EMT Paramedic, Department of Defense, IFSAC or ProBoard are required: Paramedic Firefighter I and II Hazmat Operations Selective Placement Factor Preferred Certifications: IFSAC, ProBoard, or State of Michigan Fire Inspector 1 and 2. IFSAC, ProBoard, or State of Michigan Driver/Operator Pumper You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-08 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; rescue operation; 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. (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. These duties would have been performed exercising independent judgment 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. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for a long period of time, in an emergency situation. 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. The Firefighter must be able to lift more than 50 pounds and have the physical ability to perform firefighting duties while wearing personal protective equipment that weighs between 40-50 pounds. Work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for a long period of time, in an emergency situation. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Emergency Care 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. 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.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Battle Creek VA Medical Center 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037 US
• Name: Jamie Cole
• Phone: (269) 832-1641
• Email: [email protected]