This position is located in the Fire Protection Service at the VA Medical Center in Northport, New York. This position performs work to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered by fire, and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards.

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 also covers fire service positions that control hazardous materials incidents, performs fire protection inspector duties, including inspecting and testing fire protection equipment, training personnel in fire protection and prevention, operate fire communications equipment and advise on improvements to structures for better fire prevention. The major duties include but are not limited to: Serves as a team member controlling and extinguishing fires; Serves as a driver operator of motorized firefighting vehicles; Provides stand-by and other protective measures as required for hazardous operations such as confined space entry, helicopter landings and liquid oxygen deliveries; Serves as a member of the rescue crew; Provides medical care as ambulance driver and Emergency Medical Technician; Performs standardized emergency procedures that are noninvasive and functions independently and renders first aid and life saving measures; Performs fire inspection duties in areas where hazards are expected to be encountered; Inspects areas where flammable material, compressed gases, and electrical equipment are stored and used; Inspects high hazard areas such as painting and welding operations; Tests and maintains fire detection and suppression systems such as sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers and fire hydrants; Conducts fire prevention training to hospital staff which includes fire drills, instructing employees in fire safety measures, and conducting Fire Prevention Week activities; and Performs other related duties as assigned. 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: 48 hour rotating shift, requiring working nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, 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 knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter at the GS-7 level. Such duties 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. These duties would have been performed exercising independent judgment and under general supervision. In addition to the above requirements you must also meet ALL of the following: 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 to meet the requirements of this position. ~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 if 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~ APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS AND MAINTAIN A CURRENT, UNRESTRICTED VALID STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE: 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 should 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. ~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. SELECTIVE FACTORS: In addition to the meeting the above requirements, you must also meet the following Selective Factors* for this position. You must submit copies of your certifications with your application to receive credit. National or New York State Certification as a Firefighter II Driver/Operator Pumper Certification Current, valid certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic, (National Registry or State of New York) Incident Command Systems - ICS-100 National Incident Management Systems - IS-700 Fire Inspector II Certification (National or State of New York) (NOTE: Fire Inspector II Certification must be obtained within 24 months of employment) *Selective Factors are skills, 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Fire ManagementFirst ResponsePatient CareTechnical 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: The physical demands of a firefighter are great. At fire emergencies, he/she is subject to intense heat and heavy concentrations of smoke. During these times, the work is laborious and highly stressful both physically and mentally. These are situations where the firefighter must use all of his resources in order to complete the required tasks. The firefighter must be in good physical condition in order to perform these demanding duties. The determination used to ascertain fitness is the successful completion of a yearly physical and stress test. Work Environment: The work environment of a firefighter is subject to frequent changes. He/she may work independently while performing duties at the fire station, while conducting building inspections, and patrolling grounds. He/she is required to be an integral member of his assigned crew. The team concept of firefighting is severely compromised without a good team effort from all firefighters. The firefighter is always prepared to respond to any given situation. During firefighting operations, a firefighter is at times exposed to intense heat and smoke. Also, under unusual circumstances, he/she may be subject to coping with fires in radioactive materials and dealing with hazardous materials. He/she must be knowledgeable to the extent of his capabilities and know who to contact for expert assistance. The proper protective clothing for dealing with these operations will be supplied by the Medical Center. 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.

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 Northport VA Medical Center 79 Middleville Road Building 200 Northport, NY 11768 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]