This position serves as Firefighter/EMT/Hazardous Materials Operations to provide fire prevention and protection services for a VA Medical Center that is comprised of 27 buildings spanning 157 acres of land and two remote community-based outpatient clinics. The degree of hazard ranges from low to high and includes a variety of building and occupant types.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Executes all firefighting and/or rescue operations without hesitation during an emergency. Performs such firefighting duties as determining the nature and extent of the fire, the appropriate action required, laying and disconnecting hoses, directing fire streams, operating firefighting equipment, ventilation of burning buildings, performing evacuations and rescues, administering appropriate emergency treatments, etc. Ensures that fire inspections are completed in all buildings and areas of the medical center. Attends and conducts training for personnel as directed by the Fire Chief in all phases of firefighting and protection within the structural series. Completes the daily vehicle and equipment check of all VA fire service emergency response vehicles. Provides fire prevention at the Medical Center through inspections, drills, and advising medical center personnel, including supervisors, of fire hazards in related areas and actions to be taken as prescribed by various technical manuals, fire codes, and reference books, which are constantly updated and expanded. Uses special protection, self-contained breathing apparatus, and protective clothing where chemicals, poisonous materials, radioactive materials, or hazardous biological products are involved. Employs a variety of established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport, as soon as possible, to the receiving facility. Employes hazard and risk assessment techniques to complete incident analysis. Work Schedule: Firefighters work a rotating shift work; seventy-two (72) hours per week. Fire Department operates twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week in which employees are assigned to alternating shifts of twenty-four (24) hours, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations)/PD06116A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Total Rewards: Perks of a Firefighter - Total Rewards Info Physical Requirements/Work Environment: In an emergency, work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for an extended period of time. The most common encountered applications of strength and endurance are lifting and carrying objects (up to 80 lbs.), pulling objects (up to 135 lbs.), and working with objects in front of the body (up to 125 lbs.). Activities involve prolonged periods of time standing, walking, bending, crouching and carrying heavy firefighting tools and related equipment associated with the performance of such duties as maintenance, testing, inspections, drills, suppression and transport of persons. Firefighters' work environments are so extremely hazardous, they can be killed in an instant. Firefighters can be exposed to significant concentrations of hazardous materials, including carbon monoxide, benzene, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes, hydrogen chloride, dichlorofluoromethane, and particulates which are all linked to the development of severe respiratory disease. Firefighting hazards are recurring and require the use of specialized firefighting safety equipment, clothing, and procedures. The daily work environment is varied. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in areas where it is dirty, dusty, noisy, or greasy, outside in hot and cold inclement / bad weather, and, occasionally, in areas where there is danger of exposure to asbestos or lead based paint.
There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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 noted, 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 Federal 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. 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. The 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.
Cynthia.rowe3@va.gov 717-205-7996
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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