This position serves as a Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support) in the Fire Protection Section of the Safety and Occupational Health Service working a 48-hour shift, 72-hour work week. Assists the Assistant Chief in the daily operations of the Fire Protection Section during an assigned shift.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The major duties include but are not limited to: Assigns firefighters to riding positions on fire apparatus, directs and performs inspection and training activities and ensures the conduct of daily station and equipment inspection and maintenance; Responds to fire alarms or other emergencies and calls for assistance from both the Medical Center and the surrounding communities; Performs the duties of nozzleman, hoseman, hydrantman or fire apparatus driver/operator; Serves as overall incident commander and is responsible for issuing orders and directing firefighters and Medical Center employees; Receives daily assignments from the Assistant Chief, provides direction to the crew during station/equipment maintenance activities and while performing fire safety and fire protection systems inspections; Provides input to the Assistant Chief for the purpose of evaluating employee performance, assisting in the resolution of employee grievances, and takes or recommends disciplinary or other personnel actions where appropriate; Organizes and assigns work to subordinates based on staffing needs and special qualifications, departmental capabilities and resources to assure that all duties related to fire prevention, fire protection and suppression programs are accomplished on a timely basis and are technically acceptable and functional; Operates as a member of a team during fire response, selects the proper supply or attack hose lines, places these lines in service, selects appropriate tools, dons self-contained breathing apparatus, affects forcible entry into structures, advances a hose line to the seat of the fire, effects extinguishment, and performs search and rescue operations; Functions as driver/operator and is responsible for the efficient and safe operation of fire and rescue apparatus; Serves as a member of the Medical Center emergency response team for emergency medical incidents; Operates the Medical Center ambulance for response to medical emergencies, including life threatening emergencies, to transport patients from one Medical Center building to another, or transports to off-station facilities for higher levels of care; Performs noninvasive procedures following State and National Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Life Support (BLS) Protocols; Reassures the patient, relatives and bystanders by working in a confident and professional manner; Operates a rescue boat for the purpose of searching the shoreline for eloped or missing patients, conducts rescue operations for persons and vessels in distress and performs recovery operations during suspected drownings; Operates the Medical Center's emergency communications center and ensures that all fire alarms, supervisory alarms and other emergency communications equipment are continuously monitored; Serves as a first responder to hazardous materials incidents occurring on station and performs as a team member in determining the materials/chemicals involved, the degree of life hazard and potential environmental impact; Serves as lead fire inspector for an assigned shift and assures that all Medical Center buildings, grounds, construction sites, etc., are inspected at required frequencies; and Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 48-hour shift work including weekends and holidays; Seventy-two (72) hours per week. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-8 level, you must meet the following: Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support). 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: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~AND~ In addition to the above requirement, you must also meet all of the following requirements to qualify for this position: 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 perform the duties of this position. ~AND~ Maximum Age Requirement (Screen Out): 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 firefighter service by the time the 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. ~AND~ Requirements for Motor Vehicle Operation - Driver's License (Screen Out) 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. 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. ~AND~ This position includes Selective Placement Factors (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 Factors for this position are the required Certifications listed below. Copies of your current/valid certifications must be submitted with your application to receive credit. Firefighter I and II Certification Hazardous Materials Operation Level Certification Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Certification in accordance with NFPA 1002 Fire Officer I certification in accordance with NFPA 1021 Fire Inspector II certification in accordance with NFPA 1031 National Registry Emergency Medical Technician or State of Maryland Certification You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Fire ManagementManaging Human ResourcesOral CommunicationPersonnel Security and SafetyVehicle Operation 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: Moderate to heavy physical effort is required when reaching, bending, climbing, turning, or moving hands, arms and feet in the performance of firefighting duties. The person in this position is required to participate in a physical fitness program. The person in this position is required to work both inside and outside, frequently being exposed to adverse weather conditions and extreme heat while performing firefighting duties. The person in this position may be called upon to work in environments that are classified as immediately dangerous to life or health and, in some cases, may be required to work long hours under severe, stressful conditions. 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 VA Maryland Health Care System 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]