Lead Firefighter (Basic Life S

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Maine Healthcare System, located at Togus, ME, seeks a Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support).

This full-time role requires 72 hours per week and coordination of firefighting, rescue, and safety operations across VA facilities. Applicants must possess extensive NFPA credentials (Firefighter 1 & 2, Operations Level, Fire Inspector levels, Fire Officer 1, and NFPA 472) and an active EMT or higher certification, plus a valid state driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Certification requirements must be met as described in the vacancy, including NFPA/IFSAC credentials.
• Active EMT or higher certification is required to demonstrate medical response capability.
• A valid State Driver's License is required; a driver’s license status must be current at the time of application.

Responsibilities

• Lead Firefighter duties including fire suppression, rescue, and risk assessment.
• Perform regular fire safety inspections and enforce fire prevention protocols across facilities.
• Coordinate with incident command and hazardous materials teams during emergencies and drills.

Skills

Leadership

Emergency response

Rescue operations

Safety compliance

Team coordination

Education

Firefighter 1 & 2 NFPA 1001

Operations Level NFPA 472

Fire Inspector 1 & 2 NFPA 1031

Fire Officer 1 NFPA 1021

Apparatus operator NFPA 1002

Hazardous materials awareness/operations NFPA 472

NREMT EMT or higher

State EMT license

State Driver's License

Job description

This Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support) position is in the Facilities Management service at the VA Maine Healthcare System, located at the Togus, ME location. This position is full-time at 72 hours per week.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/20/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Selective Placement Factors: The applicant must possess the following accredited certifications in National Pro Board or International Fire Service Congress (IFSAC) (in Accordance to VA Directive 7718): Certification as a Firefighter 1 and 2 in accordance with NFPA 1001 Certification as Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of, NFPA 472 Certification as a Fire Inspector 1 and 2 in accordance with NFPA 1031 within 24 months Certification as a Fire Officer 1 in accordance with NFPA 1021 Certification as Apparatus operator pumper (driver/operator) NFPA 1002 Certification as Hazardous materials awareness and operations NFPA 472 Certification in NREMT EMT or higher NREMT certification level (AEMT or Paramedic) VA directive 1695, OR State of Maine License for EMT VA Fire officers are expected to act as Hazardous Materials Incident Commanders and must be trained to meet the competencies for the level of Incident Commander in accordance with NFPA 472, Chapter 8 Must possess a valid State Driver's License. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs; therefore, please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package.

If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid-state issued Driver's License. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The performance of fire and safety inspections throughout the Campus routinely requires considerable walking, stooping, bending and climbing on a daily basis. May be required to lift and carry heavy objects, including equipment over 50 pounds and victims of fires or other emergencies.

Work Environment: The duties require incumbent to work in a wide variety of buildings and areas which may be dirty, dusty, and greasy. Incumbent is subject to temperature extremes. There is a possibility of exposure to toxic chemicals and explosions. Incumbent is required to wear sp