Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Veterans Health Administration • Lyons, NJ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) is assigned to the Fire and Emergency Service at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System in Lyons, New Jersey. The position responds to fires and other emergencies across residences, patient-care buildings, clinics, laboratories, offices, shops, warehouses, fuel storage areas, public assembly areas, and wooded areas. This is a multi-grade career ladder covering GS-05 through GS-07. Duties at GS-05 and GS-06 are more limited and performed with less independence; progression to the full-performance GS-07 level is at the supervisor’s discretion and depends on satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and funding.

The employee performs firefighting, rescue, emergency medical, hazardous-materials response, fire inspection, and fire-safety education duties. As a member of rescue, ambulance, or hazardous-materials response crews, the employee responds to medical emergencies and transports patients in emergency and non-emergency situations. The position is full-time, with a 72-hour work week and alternating 24-hour shifts in a department operating around the clock, seven days a week. Overtime callback and mandatory overtime may be required to meet minimum crew staffing. The position is considered essential during inclement weather and other adverse conditions. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday by appointment for an initial appointment, subject to the stated exception for qualifying prior covered Federal firefighter service.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required.
• A valid state motor vehicle operator’s license is required; applicants may also be required to pass a practical road test and provide driving-record information.
• Current IFSAC or Pro Board Firefighter II certification is required; proof must be submitted with the application.
• Current and valid IFSAC or Pro Board Hazardous Materials Operations Level certification is required; proof must be submitted with the application.
• Current, valid New Jersey state or National Registry EMT-Basic certification is required; proof must be submitted with the application.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level, involving relevant firefighting, rescue, fire-hazard, fire-communications, hazardous-materials, or fire-protection training work; alternatively, qualifying education or a combination of education and experience may meet GS-5 requirements.
• Applicants relying on education to qualify must provide a transcript; qualifying education includes a four-year course of study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or a related field for GS-5, or an equivalent combination of post-high-school education and experience.
• Applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability to operate assigned specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispensing devices, rescue tools, or similar hydraulic equipment.
• Candidates may be required to demonstrate minimum physical abilities and must pass a Physical Agility Test involving simulated routine fire-ground tasks; the physical examination includes treadmill and agility tests.
• Applicants must meet and maintain medical standards for arduous or hazardous duties and may be subject to periodic medical examinations, including assessment of ability to wear required protective equipment and respirators.
• Physical duties include considerable walking, stooping, bending, climbing, and lifting and carrying heavy objects, including equipment over 50 pounds and emergency victims.
• Must complete required application steps and an online assessment; selected applicants are subject to background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and drug testing.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A one-year probationary period is required.

Responsibilities

• Control and extinguish fires; operate hose lines; force entry; ventilate structures; perform or assist with rescues; use hand, hydraulic, and portable firefighting tools; and conduct salvage and overhaul.
• Perform rescue operations, emergency medical care, and hazardous-materials spill response; serve as a driver/operator of firefighting and rescue vehicles.
• Provide standby and other protective measures during hazardous operations.
• Serve as hose person, hydrant person, ladder person, and rescue person, and drive and operate complex firefighting apparatus.
• Drive apparatus to emergency scenes using predetermined or alternate routes, position vehicles with regard to wind, water sources, and hazards, and operate pumps, foam systems, monitor nozzles, and related equipment.
• Determine operating pressures and apply hydraulic principles related to water flow, friction, and friction loss.
• Assist in training new firefighters to drive and operate Medical Center apparatus.
• Perform daily preventive maintenance inspections and basic operator maintenance on apparatus and equipment.
• Conduct fire inspections in various occupancies and provide fire and life-safety education.
• Respond to hazardous-material, toxic-material, and weapons-of-mass-destruction releases or potential releases in accordance with applicable NFPA, EPA, and OSHA guidelines.
• Serve on the Medical Center Emergency Team, provide Basic Life Support, and transport patients in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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