This position is located within the Fire Department in the Department of Public Safety Service at the VA Maine Healthcare System. The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) responds to fires and other emergencies in residences, multi-story patient care buildings, psychiatric care units, Nursing Home Care Unit, outpatient clinics and laboratories, 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*** The position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-07. At the GS-05 and GS-06 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-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. NOTE: At the GS-5 and GS-6 grade levels, the title of the position is Firefighter and at the GS-7 grade level, the title of the position is Firefighter (Basic Life Support). The major duties include but are not limited to: Performs non-invasive emergency procedures, which includes initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination; Serves as a team member effectively controlling and extinguishing fires, operates hose lines, makes forced entries, ventilates structures, performs or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers, and performs salvage and overhaul; Provides stand-by and other protective measures as required for hazardous operations such as confined space entry, "hot work" (burning, cutting, welding), demolition, etc.; Drives the fire apparatus to the scene of the emergency following a predetermined route, or selects an alternate route when necessary; Operates pumps, foam systems, monitor nozzles, and other similar equipment; Assists in training new firefighters in the skills of driving and operating existing Medical Center apparatus; Performs daily preventative maintenance inspections of apparatus and equipment, performing basic operator maintenance; Presents and demonstrates fire prevention and educational programs; Tests and inspects fire and smoke detection system, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, etc.; Prepares appropriate reports and documentation to ensure compliance with all codes, standards, and inspections; Operates ambulance; Provides non-invasive procedures following State and Federal Emergency Medical Basic Life Support Protocols; and, Performs all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-Time. Employment Salary listed is based on a 40-hour week. 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 condition. 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. 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-5 level, you must meet one of 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-4) in the federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter at the development level. 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, these assignments would have been performed of a more limited scope and with less independence, working with supervision for routine tasks or as a member of a team for more complicated or involved tasks, consulting the supervisor for guidance on problems and duties are monitored for accuracy. ~OR~ Education: Successful completion of a full four (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. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as listed above, may be used to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include courses in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. To qualify for this position at the GS-6 level: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter at the development level. 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, these assignments would have been performed of a more limited scope and with less independence than the full performance level, and be performed under supervision, consulting with the supervisor when problems are encountered; however, the degree of supervisory controls would be less than at the GS-5 grade level. 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) at the full performance level. 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. ~AND~ In addition to the above requirements, 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): Applicants must possess and maintain a current and valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test in the Class A Triple Combination Pumper and be capable of operating all firefighting equipment including that on board the fire truck. Applicant also may be required to provide information on their driving record. Applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability, before appointment, to operate specific equipment to which they will be assigned, or similar related types of hydraulic equipment. 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 current and valid state-issued driver's license. ~AND~ Physical Requirements: Applicants will be given a physical examination including a treadmill and agility test. Failure to pass these tests may be justification for disqualification. Periodic medical examinations following appointment may be required to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. The following link provides additional information for the Medical requirements Fire Protection and Prevention Series 0081 (opm.gov). ~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 and valid certifications must be submitted with your application to receive credit. Current and valid Certification as Firefighter II, in accordance with NFPA 1001 (required at all grades) Current and valid Hazardous Materials Certification at the Operations Level, in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472 (required at all grades) Current and valid National Registry or State of Maine Emergency Medical Technician Certification (required at all grades) Current and valid Certification as Fire Apparatus Driver Operator, in accordance with NFPA 1002 (required at GS-6 and GS-7) Note: NFPA is National Fire Protection Association

Education

Qualifications (continued)

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• PATIENT CARE
• EMERGENCY CARE
• FIRE MANAGEMENT
• HAZARDOUS Materials
• TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
• FIRST RESPONSE

NOTE: You must provide detailed information on your resume of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Firefighter", "I was a Firefighter for a number of years," or only the job title(s) is insufficient to determine your qualifications. 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.

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: 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/.

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 at the GS-6 and GS-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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]