Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Perry Point (MD); On-site; USD 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Firefighter (Basic Life Support) at the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Maryland.

The role operates a 48‑hour shift within the Fire Protection Section of Safety and Occupational Health Service, supporting fire prevention, protection, and suppression across ~180 buildings on a 400‑acre campus. Requirements include one year of specialized federal experience at the GS-6 level and Selective Placement Factors (firefighter certifications and EMS

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6 in the Federal Service for Firefighter-BLS duties.
• Duties may include controlling/extinguishing fires, rescue operations, detecting and addressing hazards, operating fire communications equipment, managing hazardous materials, or training in fire protection and prevention.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform firefighting and basic life support duties.
• Apply fire protection and prevention knowledge on a large medical campus.
• Engage in rescue, firefighting, and incident response with minimal supervision.

Skills

Firefighting

Emergency medical

Hazard awareness

Job description

The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) serves as Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician in the Fire Protection Section of the Safety and Occupational Health Service working a 48-hour shift, 72-hour work week at the VA Medical Center in Perry Point, MD. The Fire Protection Section is responsible for fire prevention, fire protection and fire suppression activities for the partially wooded 400- acre Perry Point Medical Center campus consisting of approximately 180 buildings.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY:

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

To qualify for this position at the GS-7 level:

You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter - Basic Life Support. Experience that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Such duties may include (1) controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; (2) rescue operations; (3) detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; (4) operation of fire communications equipment; (5) controlling hazardous materials incidents and/or (6) developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.

At this level, assignments would have been performed independently, with little or no supervision, only consulting with the supervisor when unusual problems are encountered.

This position includes Selective Placement Factors

Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factors for this position are: (Copies of certifications must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.)

1. Firefighter II National Pro-Board Certification, in accordance with NFPA 1001
2. Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator National Pro-Board Certification, in accordance with NFPA 1002
3. Hazardous Materials Operations National Pro-Board Certification, in accordance with NFPA 472
4. Current State of Maryland or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Certification

PLEASE NOTE:

Newly employed VA firefighters must obtain Fire Inspector II in accordance with NFPA 1031 within 24 months of employment.

Driver's License:

Applicants must possess and maintain a current and valid state‑issued driver's license. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your current and valid state‑issued driver's license.

MAXIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT:

This position requires a maximum entry age for an initial appointment; applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit, but who have previously served as a federal employee in a covered position, may be eligible to re‑enter the fire service provided that they: (1) meet all applicable qualifications for the position and (2) will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered and creditable Federal fire service by the time the firefighter reaches the age of 57.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.