Summary This position serves as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician in the Fire Protection Section of the Safety and Occupational Health Service working a 48-hour shift, 72-hour work week. Primarily, fire protection responsibility includes a 450-bed Medical Center that is part of the VA Maryland Health Care System, consisting of three medical centers and several outreach centers. Responsibilities Duties Include but not limited to: Fire Suppression/First Responder 60% Responds to fire alarms or other emergencies/calls for assistance. Performs the duties of nozzleman, hose man, hydrant man or fire apparatus driver/operator as assigned by the shift supervisor. Selects proper supply or attack hose lines, places these lines in service, selects appropriate tools, dons self-contained breathing apparatus, and performs search and rescue operations. Selects, places, and raises ground ladders, ventilating to control the fire, and performing salvage duties. Adheres to the established Standard Operating Guidelines of the Fire Protection Section as established by the Fire Chief. Wears appropriate personal protective equipment on all responses. Functions as driver/operator and is responsible for the efficient and safe operation of fire and rescue apparatus. Performs the daily inspection, testing and maintenance of two Medical Center owned fire apparatus, one rescue vehicle, one rescue boat, motor, and trailer, two ambulances and all associated equipment. Perform operational inspections and testing to ensure fire pumps, breathing apparatus and emergency generators are in a state of operational readiness. Responds with the appropriate apparatus to the scene of fires, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies. Emergency Medical Technician (Basic Life Support) 25% Employs all sources of information to determine the nature of the person's illness or extent of injury. Performs initial / on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination to determine priority of patient care based upon the assessment findings. Takes, records and monitors patient's baseline vital signs including temperature, blood pressure and pulse. Interviews the patient to identify preexisting medical conditions and obtain a comprehensive drug history. Controls external bleeding with direct pressure and treats the patient for shock and shock-like symptoms. Splints and immobilizes fractures and dislocations for transport. Utilizes various established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport as soon as possible. Establishes communication with the receiving facility, providing patient information and estimated time of arrival. Assists Advanced Life Support (ALS) staff including Paramedics, Doctors, Nurses, etc. Completes patient care documentation required to ensure medical requirements are met and accurately reported. Uses and maintains emergency medical equipment such as backboards, suction devices, AED's, splints, oxygen delivery systems, stretchers, etc. Properly disposes of biohazard materials and replenishes medical and expendable supplies. Operates a rescue boat for the purpose of searching the shoreline for eloped or missing patients, conducting rescue operations for people and vessels in distress, and performing recovery operations during suspected drownings. Dispatches Police Service to the area of the emergency. Hazardous Materials Operations 5% First responder to hazardous materials incidents occurring on station. Performs in determining the materials/chemicals involved, the degree of life hazard and potential environmental impact. Responds with the appropriate equipment to hazardous materials incidents in the surrounding communities. Fire Safety Inspector 10% Performs fire safety inspections of the Medical Center on a quarterly basis to identify and eliminate actual or potential fire hazards. Inspects fire extinguishers for proper type, placement and operating condition, and inspection of fire detection and suppression systems. Conducts quarterly flow tests of wet and dry pipe sprinkler systems and annual flow tests of fire hydrants, identifying and documenting deficiencies or impairments, and initiating action to assure correction. Conducts fire drills as assigned by the shift supervisor to evaluate employee knowledge of the fire plan and to identify those areas in need of improvement. Participates in firefighter proficiency training classes and operational drills to remain proficient in general firefighting techniques, as well as methods of controlling fires of an unusual nature such as those involving gases and/or chemicals. Participates in a minimum of 100 hours of structured fire protection, prevention, suppression, and fire safety training annually. Assists Police Service with unruly or combative patients. Operates an ambulance or passenger vehicle to transport patients between units, In the absence of adequate Transportation personnel Work Schedule: 48-hour shifts, 72-hour work week, 144 hours per pay period; including weekends and holidays. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD23264A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary/trial period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Medical Requirements- Applicants for positions that have duties of an arduous or hazardous nature must meet the medical standards described below. Since individual positions may not include all such duties, a physical condition or impairment may be disqualifying for employment only if there is a direct relationship between the condition and the nature of the duties of the specific position to be filled. Any serious deviation from sound medical condition may be grounds for rejection of an applicant regardless of whether the condition is named below. Remediable defects or curable diseases will not exclude a person from consideration, but proof that such defects have been remedied or the disease cured must be received during the life of the eligible register before persons otherwise qualified may be considered for appointment under civil service rules. Physical Requirement: Employees in positions involving firefighting duties or other duties involving arduous physical exertion may be subject to periodic (e.g., annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. (See 5 CFR 339. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/05/2025. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT: 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. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. 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 as follows: Certification Requirements: Firefighter II (IFSAC or Pro Board) Certification, in accordance with NFPA 1001 Hazardous Materials (IFSAC or Pro Board) Certification at the Operations Level Responders, in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472 Fire Apparatus Driver Operator (IFSAC or Pro Board) certification, in accordance with NFPA 1002 Emergency Medical Technician certification in the state of Maryland or National Registry. (For the State of Maryland - Meet and maintain requirements per MIEMSS for EMT Basic) Copies of certifications MUST be submitted by the closing date of the announcement; failure to submit any required certifications will result in the non-referral of the applicant. PLEASE NOTE: Newly employed VA firefighters must obtain Fire Inspector II certification, 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 the 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. In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following Minimum qualification: Specialized Experience Requirements: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS 6 and experience 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. Driver's License Requirement; A Valid State motor vehicle operator's license is required. Applicant may be required to provide their license at the time of interview. 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. Mechanical Equipment Operator Qualifications For those positions requiring the operation of specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispensing devices, and/or rescue tools, applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability, before appointment, to operate the specific equipment to which they will be assigned, or similar related types of hydraulic equipment. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Compliance Inspection Fire Management First Response Hazardous Materials Vehicle Operation 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. 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. Incumbent is required to participate in a physical fitness program. Performance Test Agencies may require candidates to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the minimum physical abilities necessary to perform safely and efficiently the essential tasks of a particular position. Abilities may be demonstrated through prior satisfactory performance in the same or a similar position, or agencies may choose to use a task demonstration. A task demonstration must be directly related to the essential job tasks, and thus, must consist of a sample of operations or steps that reflect a reasonably faithful representation of those selected job tasks. Any demonstration required must be uniformly applied to all similarly qualified candidates; the level of proficiency required cannot exceed that which is required in actual job performance; and reasonable accommodation must be provided where necessary. Work Environment 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. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.