Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Veterans Health Administration • Castle Point, NY

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) works in the Fire Department’s Fire Service at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System in Castle Point and Montrose, New York. The position controls and extinguishes fires, rescues people endangered by fire, and reduces or eliminates potential fire hazards. Duties include specialized rescues, hazardous-materials response, operating fire apparatus and communications equipment, inspecting and testing fire-protection equipment, and training personnel in fire protection and prevention. The firefighter also advises on structural fire-prevention improvements and carries out fire-protection and prevention programs.

The position provides basic life support under established protocols, including noninvasive emergency medical procedures, patient assessment, and transport to medical appointments or emergency treatment. The firefighter serves on the Medical Center Hazardous Materials Response Team and responds to hazardous-materials releases using specialized protective clothing and control equipment. The position is not virtual. The schedule is 48 hours on and 72 hours off, with work described as 72 hours per week on a rotating basis. Promotion to the full-performance level may be possible without further competition when regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level: GS-5 for GS-6 or GS-6 for GS-7.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Must not have reached the 37th birthday by the appointment date, subject to the stated exception for eligible former federal employees in covered positions.
• Possess and maintain a current, valid state motor vehicle operator’s license of the appropriate classification or kind at application.
• Submit detailed resume documentation of relevant experience, including job title, duties, month and year start/end dates, and hours worked per week.
• Pass a physical examination, including treadmill and agility tests; periodic medical examinations may also be required.
• Participate in physical conditioning programs and pass annual medical surveillance and a job-requirement physical agility test.
• GS-6 certifications: current and valid National Firefighter II certification (NFPA 1001); National or New York State Apparatus Operator—Pumper; National Registry or New York State EMT-Basic; National or New York State Hazardous Materials Operations Level certification (NFPA 472, Chapter 5); and NIMS ICS-200.
• GS-7 certifications: current and valid National Firefighter II; National or New York State Apparatus Operator—Pump; National Hazardous Materials Operations Level; National Fire Inspector I; National Registry or New York State EMT-Basic; and National Incident Management System ICS-200 certification.
• For GS-7, obtain and maintain National Fire Inspector II, National Apparatus Operator—Pumper, and National or New York State Confined Space Rescue Technician certifications within 24 months of employment.
• Submit copies of current and valid required certifications with the application.
• Applicants may be required to pass a practical road test in a Class A Triple Combination Pumper and demonstrate the ability to operate assigned firefighting or hydraulic equipment.
• Meet applicable federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship, required application steps and online assessment, background/security investigation, and applicable drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Control and extinguish fires, rescue people endangered by fire, and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards.
• Perform specialized rescues and respond to hazardous-materials spills and releases.
• Serve as a driver/operator of pumpers, ambulances, and special service vehicles.
• Inspect and test fire-protection equipment.
• Train personnel in fire protection and prevention.
• Operate fire communications equipment.
• Advise on structural improvements for better fire prevention.
• Plan, direct, or carry out fire-protection and prevention programs and operations.
• Operate fire-extinguishing equipment carried on apparatus, including foam and dry-chemical agents.
• Follow protocols when providing basic life support and perform noninvasive emergency medical procedures.
• Transport patients for medical appointments and emergency treatment to the appropriate medical facility.
• Assess patients and report observations to physicians or nurses.
• Serve as a member of the Medical Center Hazardous Materials Response Team, using specialized chemical-protective clothing and control equipment to stop or control releases.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Supervisory Firefighter or Fire Chief.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, with specific eligibility dependent on position type.
• VA may grant approved credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the annual-leave accrual rate; this is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed