Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Technician)

The incumbent serves on either of eight shifts as Firefighter/EMT/Hazardous Materials Technician for the VAFD. The Firefighter is proficient in the operation of all extinguishing agents, sprinkler systems and standpipe risers, performs work to control and extinguish fires, rescues persons endangered by fire or other hazardous situations, and reduces or eliminates potential fire hazards. Major duties include, but not limited to: Attends and conducts training for personnel as directed by the Fire Chief in all phases of firefighting and protection within the structural series. Serves as the on-scene commander of a fire/ crash scene until relieved by the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief. Supervises fire alarm communication center operations to ensure all firefighting equipment and personnel are dispatched as required. Conducts fire prevention inspections. Direct the utilization of firefighting equipment (i.e, hydrants, hose lines, ladders, nozzles) to suppress and extinguish fires in emergency operations. Respond to alarms, combats fire, and rescues personnel requiring the full performance of firefighting tasks involving structures, equipment, facilities, crashed and burning aircraft, fuel, hazardous materials and brush fires. Perform life-saving techniques under pressure and/or techniques to stop bleeding, check windpipes for obstruction, while perform CPR or providing assistance. Perform firefighter and emergency medical care tasks while at the same time avoiding unnecessary risk to self and others. Apply techniques of proper firefighting, rescue, toxic or dangerous materials containment and subsequent decontamination methods and extinguishing agents. Unreels and connects hose, lays hose lines, operates charged lines, places, and raises ladders, operates portable and stationary firefighting apparatus, ventilates buildings, evacuates, or rescues occupants, uses chemicals, axes, bars, hooks, self- contained breathing apparatus and other firefighting equipment to extinguish fires and protect life and property. Alternate as hose-man, ladder-man, hydrant- man, rescue-man, nozzle-man, and salvage- man or hand lineman. Operates and maintains care of a variety of lifesaving and rescue equipment including ambulance equipment, two-way radio equipment, telemetry equipment, cardiac monitors, specialized kits and bags, backboards, suction devices, monitors, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, Rotating Shifts, 7:00AM- 7:00AM, 72 Hours per week, 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 Technician)/PD04514A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/07/2026. 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. Selective Placement Factor The following questions are Selective Placement Factors. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. All Certifications must be by an accredited agency such as International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or Pro Board and must be equivalent to or above the certifications within the following questions. NOTE: Copies of your certifications must be submitted with your application to receive credit. This position requires the possession and maintenance of the following certifications: Firefighter I (IFSAC or Pro Board) certification in accordance with NFPA 1001? A copy of the certification must be submitted with the application to receive credit. Firefighter Il (IFSAC or Pro Board) certification in accordance with NFPA 1001. A copy of the certification must be submitted with the application to receive credit. Hazardous Materials Technician (IFSAC or Pro Board) certification in accordance with NFPA 472. A copy of the certification must be submitted with the application to receive credit. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification in the state in which the VA fire department is located or the national registry certification. A copy of the certification must be submitted with the application to receive credit. Driver/Operator (IFSAC or Pro Board) Certification, in accordance with NFPA 1002. A copy of the certification must be submitted with the application to receive credit. You must submit copies of your above certifications with your application to receive credit. Selectee must complete certification for Fire Inspector II in accordance with NFPA 1031 within 24 months of employment into this position? 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 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. Are you under the age of 37 Or, You are not under the age of (37) thirty-seven years old, but I have prior federal service as a Firefighter and will be able to complete a total of (20) twenty years of covered and creditable Federal Firefighter service by the time I reach the age of (57) fifty-seven years old. Conditions of Employment: This position has requirements which must be met prior to employment, and conditions for continued employment. Conditions listed below: (1) This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position. Are you willing to submit to a pre-employment physical and willing to maintain a level of physical fitness to obtain and maintain employment as required?. (2) This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis. Are you willing and able to work on a rotating shift basis to meet work requirements? (3) This position requires the employee to use personal protective equipment provided by the employer. Are you willing to use employer-provided PPE as required? (4) This position requires the employee to work 72 hours per week/144 biweekly hours and may be required to work overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays and may be subject to recall after normal duty in cases of emergencies. Are you able and willing to work this work schedule? (5) Are you willing and able to participate in tests and exercises during non-duty work hours, to include nights, weekends, holidays, and when recalled? (6) Are you willing and able to report for duty during inclement weather, natural disasters, and other emergency situations as directed by the Fire Chief and may be required to remain on duty after the official shift ends, e.g., mandatory overtime, subject to recall to duty? (7) Art you willing and able to wear uniform and safety apparel in accordance with established policies and procedures? (8) Ate you willing and able to wear various Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to include respirators, masks, self-contained breathing apparatus, armored vests, and equipment? (9) Are you willing and able to successfully complete an annual Job Performance Test? (10) Are you able to meet and maintain physical agility and stamina standards which are established for this position? (11) This position requires the incumbent to participate in a cardiovascular physical fitness program. Are you able and willing to participate in a cardiovascular physical fitness program? (12) This position requires the incumbent to wear a uniform, safety apparel, and/or other personal protective equipment in accordance with established policies and procedures. Are you able and willing to wear appropriate uniform, safety apparel, and/or other personal protective equipment while on duty. (13) Due to the nature of this position, employees are required to work both planned and unscheduled overtime. Are you willing to work overtime as required by management to meet work requirements? You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:- 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. This experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All 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. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: A pre-placement physical examination is required. 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 identification 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. (Continued from above) 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/. 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. Firefighter's work environments are so extremely hazardous they can kill 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, hot and cold inclement / bad weather, and occasionally in areas where there is danger of exposure to asbestos or lead based paint. Requirements For Motor Vehicle Operation: For those positions requiring employees to drive motorized firefighting equipment, candidates must possess and maintain a valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test and provide information on their driving record. See 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual for additional requirements for motor vehicle operators. 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. 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. 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. 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.) 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. Eyes: Corrected distant vision must be at least 20/30 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye. Uncorrected distant vision is required only if it is likely that corrective lenses may be lost or broken. If so, uncorrected distant vision must be at least 20/100 binocular. Ability to distinguish basic colors is required. Applicants must be free from acute or chronic eye disease. Ears: Using an audiometer for measurement, there should be no loss of 30 or more decibels in the unaided worst ear at the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz levels. Nose, Mouth, and Throat: Applicants must be free from conditions that interfere with distinct speech, free breathing, or with the use of breathing apparatuses or protective equipment. Lungs: Applicants must be free from any pulmonary or chest wall disease or condition that results in not being able to perform the duties of the position. Heart and Blood Vessels: The following conditions may be cause for rejection: organic heart disease, valvular or vascular diseases, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, recurrent syncope, or history of myocardial infarction. Abdomen: Acute or chronic disease or inflammation of the abdominal viscera, hernia, or significant enlargement of the liver or spleen that interferes with the performance of the duties of the position will be cause for rejection. There is no educational substitution at this grade level.