Firefighter (Paramedic)

Veterans Health Administration•Castle Point, NY

25d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Fire Department Service Line at the Castle Point VA Medical Center in Wappingers, New York. The Firefighter (Paramedic) performs paramedic, firefighting, and hazardous materials operations duties for the Medical Center. The position works rotating shifts totaling 72 hours; it is not virtual. The incumbent provides advanced patient assessment and treatment, including physical examinations, invasive procedures, electrocardiology procedures, advanced airway procedures, and administration of medications and solutions. Firefighting duties include controlling and extinguishing fires, operating hose lines, making forced entries, ventilating structures, and conducting or assisting with rescues. The incumbent operates firefighting and rescue vehicles, responds to hazardous materials incidents, supports incident reviews, prepares reports, and performs preventive maintenance inspections of apparatus and equipment. The role requires work both indoors and outdoors, often in adverse weather and extreme heat. The incumbent may be called upon to work in immediately dangerous to life or health environments and, at times, long hours under severe and stressful conditions. A valid state driver's license and current qualifying certifications are required. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-07 in the normal line of progression, including relevant experience in firefighting, rescue, fire-hazard prevention, fire communications, hazardous-materials incidents, or fire-protection training.
Current Federal employees and certain former Federal employees applying for GS-09 must meet the time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-07; applicable applicants must submit an SF-50 demonstrating eligibility.
A valid state motor vehicle operator's license is required; appropriate license classification must be maintained when driving motorized firefighting equipment. A practical road test and driving-record information may be required.
Candidates operating specialized firefighting pumping equipment, pressurized systems, dispensing devices, or rescue tools may be required to demonstrate the ability to operate the assigned or similar equipment before appointment.
Current and valid National or NYS Firefighter II and ICS 200 certification.
Current and valid National or NYS Hazardous Material Operations certification.
Current and valid National or NYS Paramedic certification; copies of current, valid certifications must be submitted with the application.
Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing testing results in denial of employment.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and must complete online onboarding and required pre-employment identification checks.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
The position requires serving a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Applicants may be required to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the minimum physical abilities necessary to perform the essential tasks safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced or detailed patient assessments and determine treatment methods, which may include invasive procedures, electrocardiology procedures, advanced and invasive airway procedures, and administration of medications and solutions orally or intravenously.
Control and extinguish fires; operate hose lines; make forced entries; ventilate structures; and perform or assist in rescue operations.
Use hand tools, hydraulic tools, and portable fire extinguishers.
Drive and operate motorized firefighting and rescue vehicles.
Respond to hazardous materials incidents, including stopping or controlling releases and applying hazard and risk assessment techniques.
Assist with incident critiques and debriefings.
Prepare incident reports and documentation.
Perform daily preventative maintenance inspections of apparatus and equipment.
Perform other duties as assigned.