Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Veterans Health Administration • Castle Point, NY

11d • Onsite

About The Position

These positions are in the Fire Department, Fire Service, at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System in Castle Point and Montrose, New York. The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) controls and extinguishes fires, rescues people endangered by fire, and reduces or eliminates potential fire hazards. The positions are part of a multi-grade career ladder: at GS-6, assignments are more limited in scope and performed with less independence; at GS-7, the position is at the full performance level. Promotion depends on satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and available funds. At GS-6, the position title is Firefighter; at GS-7, it is Firefighter (Basic Life Support).

The work schedule is 48 hours on and 72 hours off. These are not virtual positions; the employee must live within, or be willing to relocate within, a commutable distance of the duty location. There are two vacancies, and applicants may select Castle Point, Montrose, or both locations.

Applicants must meet the applicable grade-level experience and certification requirements. The role also requires English proficiency, a current and valid state driver's license of the appropriate classification, and compliance with a maximum entry age requirement, subject to the stated exceptions for prior covered federal firefighter service. Applicants must pass a physical examination that includes treadmill and agility tests. A one-year probationary period applies.

Requirements

• For GS-6: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, involving relevant firefighter duties performed with more limited scope and independence under supervision.
• For GS-7: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6, involving relevant firefighter duties performed independently with little or no supervision.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet the maximum entry age requirement: applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday by appointment, subject to the stated provisions for prior covered federal firefighter service.
• Possess and maintain a current and valid state motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind at the time of application.
• Provide detailed resume information, including job title, duties, start and end month/year, and hours worked per week.
• GS-6: Current and valid National or State Firefighter II certification in accordance with NFPA 1001.
• GS-6: Current and valid National or State Hazardous Materials Operations Level certification in accordance with NFPA 472, Chapter 5.
• GS-6: Current and valid National or State EMT-Basic certification.
• GS-6: Current and valid National Incident Management System ICS-200 certification.
• GS-6: Current and valid National or State Apparatus Operator-Pump certification.
• GS-7: Current and valid National Firefighter II certification.
• GS-7: Current and valid National or State Hazardous Materials Operations Level certification.
• GS-7: Current and valid National Fire Inspector I certification.
• GS-7: Current and valid National Registry or New York State EMT-Basic certification.
• GS-7: Current and valid National Incident Management System ICS-200 certification.
• GS-7: Current and valid National or New York State Apparatus Operator-Pump certification.
• Within 24 months of employment at GS-6, obtain and maintain National Fire Inspector I and II, National Apparatus Operator-Pumper, National or New York State Confined Space Rescue Technician, and National Hazardous Materials Technician certifications.
• Within 24 months of employment at GS-7, obtain and maintain National Fire Inspector II, National Apparatus Operator-Pumper, National or New York State Confined Space Rescue Technician, and National Hazardous Materials Technician certifications.
• Complete the required application steps and online assessment.
• Submit to pre-employment urinalysis for illegal drug screening; refusal or a verified positive result prevents appointment.
• Pass a physical examination, including treadmill and agility tests; periodic medical examinations may be required after appointment.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding process, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel requirement.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.

Responsibilities

• Control and extinguish structural fires, operate hose lines, make forced entries, ventilate structures, and perform or assist in rescue operations.
• Perform basic life support duties.
• Operate motorized firefighting and rescue vehicles as needed.
• Combat fires in residences, medical and psychological facilities, multistory office buildings, industrial shops, warehouses, fuel storage areas, public assembly areas, and brush and wooded areas.
• Serve on an initial response team to mitigate the presence or potential release of hazardous materials.
• Respond to non-fire-related calls, including elevator entrapments, motor vehicle accidents, behavioral emergencies, missing-patient grounds searches, patient-return assists, confined-space rescues, emergency maintenance calls, and flooding.
• Participate in fire department training and medical center fire drills.
• Conduct building fire safety inspections and inspect and test fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and water supply systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may request and receive approved credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual; this is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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