Located at the VA Medical Center in Perry Point, MD, the Firefighter (Basic Life Support) is responsible for fire prevention, protection, and suppression activities for the partially wooded 400-acre campus consisting of approximately 180 buildings (110 single family dwellings) and a two-mile shoreline along the Susquehanna River. Certifications Required: Firefighter II Hazardous Materials, Operations Level Emergency Medical Technician Fire Apparatus Driver Operator

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include: 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, hydrant man, or fire apparatus driver/operator as assigned; Functions as a driver/operator as assigned and is responsible for the efficient and safe operation of fire and rescue apparatus; 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; Operates ambulance for response to medical emergencies, including life-threatening emergencies; Operates the Medical Center's emergency communications center and ensures that all fire alarms, supervisory alarms, and other emergency communications equipment are continuously monitored; Performs fire safety inspections of the Medical Center every quarter to identify and eliminate actual or potential fire hazards; Performs other related duties as required. 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. Work Schedule: Seventy-two (72) hours per week including weekends and holidays Subject to overtime call back and mandatory overtime to ensure mandatory compliance with minimum crew manning requirements. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. To qualify for this position at the GS-7 level: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a 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. At this level, assignments would have been performed independently, with little or no supervision, only consulting with the supervisor when unusual problems are encountered. 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: Certification as Firefighter II, in accordance with NFPA 1001 Hazardous Materials Certification at the Operations Level, in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472 Maryland State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician certification Certification as Fire Apparatus Driver Operator, in accordance with NFPA 1002 PLEASE NOTE: Copies of all certifications should be submitted at the time of application. Newly employed VA firefighters must obtain Fire Inspector II in accordance with NFPA 1031 within 24 months of employment. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationCompliance InspectionFire ManagementFirst ResponseHazardous MaterialsSelective Placement FactorVehicle 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/Working Conditions: Moderate to heavy physical effort is required when reaching, bending, climbing, turning, or moving hands, arms, and feet in the performance of firefighting duties. Incumbent is required to participate in a physical fitness program. Incumbent is required to work both inside and outside, frequently being exposed to adverse weather conditions and extreme heat while performing firefighting duties. Incumbent 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]