The Firefighter is assigned to the VANJ Medical Center Fire Department in the Public Safety Service. Responds to fires and other emergencies in residences, multi-story patient care buildings, 180 bed psychiatric unit, 360 bed Nursing Home Care Unit, outpatient clinics and laboratories, residential rehabilitation centers, multiple story office buildings, carpenter shop, paint shop, electric shop, general repair shop, warehouse, fuel storage areas, public assembly areas, brush and wooded areas.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-7. At the lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-7. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Participate in all aspects of structural and wild land firefighting operations and rescue. Participate in vehicle extraction, elevator and confined space rescues. Serve as a hazardous materials first responder. Serve as a driver of a wild land unit and structural driver operator. Perform first inspections and fire alarm maintenance. Perform patient triage, conduct patient assessments, assess severity of illness/injury, and identify life-threatening problems. Drive and operate firefighting apparatus of significant complexity (i.e., pumpers, aerial ladder trucks and wild land firefighting truck). Perform other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Firefighters works 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. Recruitment Incentives Additional Weekend Premium Pay: Weekend premium (25% of hourly rate) paid for service performed on an established tour of duty, any part of which is between Midnight Friday and Midnight Sunday. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - Several Selective Placement Factors (SPF) have been identified for Firefighter positions in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPFs for this position are: Required Accredited Certifications (Copy of Valid/Current Certifications Required at the time of application), as follows: GS-5/6/7 grades: A Valid State Driver's License. Please DO NOT provide copy as we are unable to accept/forward pictures. This requirement will be verified during interview. GS-5/6/7 grades: In accordance with National Protections Association (NFPA), possess Certification as a Firefighter II and Certification as Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders. (Copy of Certifications Required) GS-5/6/7 grade: I possess a current NJ or a National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Certification. (Copy of Certifications Required) In addition to the SPFs above, applicant(s) must meet the additional qualification requirements as described below. GS-5 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one years of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) 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- GS-5 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): 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- GS-5 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of education and specialized experience meets total requirements. Only education in excess of 2 years is creditable for this requirement. GS-6 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one years of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. In addition to the specialized experience for the GS-5/lower grade above, this grade includes driving and operating firefighting apparatus of significant complexity, e.g., pumpers, aerial ladder trucks and wild land fighting truck. There is no substitution of education for the specialized experience at the GS-6 grade level. GS-7 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Requires one years of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. In addition to the specialized experience for the GS-5/6 lower grades above, this grade includes duties inspecting structures and equipment in accordance with NFPA safety laws and regulation. There is no substitution of education for the specialized experience at the GS-7 grade level. AND MAXIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a maximum entry age for an initial appointment; applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit, but who have previously served as a federal employee 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 fire service by the time the firefighter reaches the age of 57. AND 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationsCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)First ResponseMechanicalTechnical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: Annual physical required. Considerable strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs, running, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds, crouching/crawling in restrictive areas. Fire protection equipment must be worn or carried, amplifying physical strain. Extended periods of heavy moving and lifting of patients. Recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and positioning of patients under adverse conditions or in confined areas. Spends prolonged periods in protective breathing apparatus and protective clothing during chemical, nuclear, biological, or hazardous materials incidents. 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

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

There is no educational substitution for the specialized experience at the GS-6/7 grade levels.

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 VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]