Assistant Fire Chief

Veterans Health Administration•Perry Point, MD

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Fire Chief serves as one of three Assistant Fire Chiefs in the Fire Protection Section of the Safety and Occupational Health Service. The role oversees daily operations during an assigned shift and supports fire prevention, protection, suppression, emergency response, training, and safety programs for the Perry Point Medical Center campus, part of the VA Maryland Health Care System. The campus includes a 450-bed medical center on approximately 400 acres, as well as fire response responsibilities involving the surrounding communities. The position supervises one Lead Firefighter and four Firefighters, organizing and assigning work, overseeing personnel matters, and maintaining minimum staffing for fire engine and ambulance responses. The Assistant Fire Chief directs emergency operations, coordinates incident tactics, and ensures personnel use appropriate protective equipment. The role also oversees inspections, testing, maintenance, drills, training, apparatus and equipment readiness, and operation of the Medical Center's emergency communications center. The position reports directly to the Fire Chief, or, in the Fire Chief's absence, to the Safety & Occupational Health Manager. The work schedule is 144 hours biweekly, including weekends and holidays, with a stated 48-hour shift and 72-hour work week. This is not a virtual position. The role requires U.S. citizenship, a valid state motor vehicle operator's license, English proficiency, and specified fire-service certifications. Applicants must meet applicable specialized experience and federal time-in-grade requirements. The position has a maximum entry age requirement for initial appointment and requires a probationary or trial period.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
Valid state motor vehicle operator's license.
Fire Officer II certification in accordance with NFPA 1021.
Fire Inspector II certification in accordance with NFPA 1031.
Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certificate in accordance with NFPA 472, Chapter 8; required certification copies must be submitted by the announcement closing date.
For GS-8: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7; for GS-9: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-8.
Current or former federal employees subject to time-in-grade requirements must meet those requirements by the announcement closing date and provide supporting SF-50 documentation.
Specialized experience must demonstrate relevant fire-service knowledge and skills, such as firefighting, rescue, fire-hazard control, fire communications, hazardous-materials incident response, or fire protection and prevention training.
Applicants for initial appointment must not have reached their 37th birthday by the appointment date, subject to stated exceptions for eligible former federal firefighters.
Complete the application, assessment, and questionnaire, including the Supervisory Situational Judgment Test.
Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation, required onboarding, and urinalysis screening for illegal drug use; participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Fire Officer II certification in accordance with NFPA 1021.
Fire Inspector II certification in accordance with NFPA 1031.
Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certificate in accordance with NFPA 472, Chapter 8.

Responsibilities

Manage daily Fire Protection Section operations during an assigned shift, including assigning firefighters to apparatus positions and scheduling and directing inspections and training.
Support the Fire Chief in administering safety and fire protection programs and policies, and follow established Fire Protection Section Standard Operating Guidelines.
Respond to alarms and emergencies at the Medical Center and in surrounding communities; direct firefighters and Medical Center personnel in fire suppression and life- and property-protection operations.
Implement the Incident Management System, serve as Operations Officer, and help formulate and carry out incident tactics and strategies.
Provide manpower, apparatus, and equipment for community water rescues and hazardous materials incidents, including technical advice and assistance as needed.
Ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is worn by the crew and other personnel operating at emergency scenes.
Supervise one Lead Firefighter and four Firefighters, including assigning and organizing work, approving or disapproving leave, evaluating performance, assisting with grievances, and taking or recommending personnel actions.
Maintain minimum staffing of six trained firefighters on duty for engine responses and two trained firefighter/EMTs for ambulance responses.
Direct station and equipment maintenance and fire safety and fire protection system inspections to identify and eliminate fire hazards.
Administer and participate in shift inspections, testing, and maintenance of sprinkler systems, fire alarm devices and circuits, fire hydrants, and fire extinguishers.
Ensure daily inspection, testing, maintenance, and documentation for Medical Center fire apparatus, rescue vehicle, rescue boat, motor and trailer, ambulances, and associated equipment.
Develop shift schedules and conduct fire exit drills, ensuring patient-care buildings receive one drill per shift per quarter and other areas receive at least one annual drill.
Develop lesson plans, schedule and conduct firefighter proficiency classes and operational drills, and participate as an instructor and trainee to support required annual training.
Assign staff and coordinate operation of the Medical Center's emergency communications center.
Serve on the Medical Center emergency response team for emergency medical incidents.