What are the responsibilities and job description for the Firefighter (Basic Life Support) position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position is located within the Fire Department at the Tomah VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin. The primary purpose of this position is to function as a Leader over lower graded staff performing work to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered by fire and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards.
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Duties
Designated Drug-Testing Position: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
Work Schedule: Full-Time; 72 hours per week; 144 hours per pay period on a work schedule of 48 hours on then 72 hours off, 48 hours on then 72 hours off, and 48 hours on then 48 hours off
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
To qualify for this position, all applicants must meet the following:
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. :AND:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 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). 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 applicants should possess experience with hospital health and safety, be familiar with Joint Commission inspections, and possess sufficient experience to prepare, conduct and participate in fire drills.
NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position. Your experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. :AND:
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. :AND:
DRIVER'S LICENSE: All applicants must possess a current, unrestricted valid state Driver's License. :AND:
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: In addition to the meeting the above requirements, you must also meet the following Selective Placement Factors (SPF) for this position. SPFs are skills, knowledge, ability, or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). SPFs are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet them are ineligible for further consideration.
The Selective Placement Factors for this position are (You must submit copies of your current and valid certifications with your application to receive credit):
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.
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; religious; 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.
Physical Requirements: Must maintain an adequate level of physical fitness to react quickly and have the stamina to endure the physical exertion and stress of firefighting; must complete 1 hour of physical activity per day per the NFPA 1500 and annually complete a Fire Department Physical Agility Test outline in NFPA 1500 and NFPA 1583. Fire Department personnel must complete an annual Firefighter physical with Employee Health to be cleared for duty. Incumbent must maintain physical condition to don personal protective equipment consisting of coat, helmet, boots, gloves, bunker pants, and self-contained breathing apparatus, which weighs 75 pounds. Incumbent must wear this equipment when responding to and during all emergency calls regardless of temperature. Incumbent is expected to enter buildings and atmospheres that are unsafe due to fire, oxygen deficiencies, etc. and perform very strenuous types of work carrying heavy equipment and victims. The requirements of the job are such that the incumbent must maintain alertness, self-control and emotional stability when working under conditions of stress, confusion, panic and where physical injury or death are present.
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/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
This position is located within the Fire Department at the Tomah VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin. The primary purpose of this position is to function as a Leader over lower graded staff performing work to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered by fire and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards.
Help
Duties
- *THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***
- Serves as a team member effectively controlling and extinguishing fires in a variety of facilities and areas;
- Performs specialized rescues, hazardous materials spill response;
- Serves as a driver operator of motorized firefighting vehicles;
- Responds to all emergency calls on facility grounds as well as requests for mutual aid by surrounding communities;
- Provides stand-by and other protective measures as required for hazardous operations;
- Positions fire apparatus allowing for hazards of proximity to the fire, wind strength and direction and availability, quantity and location of water supply;
- Ensures all equipment is returned to its proper location and place in operating condition after each incident and upon return to quarters;
- Provides medical care as a BLS/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and ensures protocols and directives outline in the Medical Center policies are followed;
- Participates in the Medical Center Emergency Team for emergency medical response involving injuries or illness of patients, staff and visitors;
- Administers BLS care in accordance with established medical standards/procedures;
- Performs initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination;
- Splints and immobilizes fractures and dislocations;
- Establishes communication with the receiving facility, providing all patient information including estimated time of arrival;
- Prepares appropriate and relevant patient documentation to ensure medical requirements are met and accurately reported;
- Performs fire inspection duties in areas where hazards are expected to be encountered;
- Inspects areas where flammable materials are stored;
- Inspects high hazard areas such as painting and welding operations;
- Performs pre-incident planning by familiarizing oneself with the various buildings interiors and locate possible hazards and established fire protection systems;
- Conducts inspections on built-in fire protection features such as fire barriers, smoke barriers and fire doors;
- Conducts fire prevention training to Medical Center staff which includes fire drills, fire extinguisher training, and fire safety measures;
Designated Drug-Testing Position: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
Work Schedule: Full-Time; 72 hours per week; 144 hours per pay period on a work schedule of 48 hours on then 72 hours off, 48 hours on then 72 hours off, and 48 hours on then 48 hours off
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
To qualify for this position, all applicants must meet the following:
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. :AND:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 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). 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 applicants should possess experience with hospital health and safety, be familiar with Joint Commission inspections, and possess sufficient experience to prepare, conduct and participate in fire drills.
NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position. Your experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. :AND:
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. :AND:
DRIVER'S LICENSE: All applicants must possess a current, unrestricted valid state Driver's License. :AND:
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: In addition to the meeting the above requirements, you must also meet the following Selective Placement Factors (SPF) for this position. SPFs are skills, knowledge, ability, or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). SPFs are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet them are ineligible for further consideration.
The Selective Placement Factors for this position are (You must submit copies of your current and valid certifications with your application to receive credit):
- Firefighter II Certification (IFSAC or Pro Board)
- Hazardous Materials Operations Level Certification (IFSAC or Pro Board)
- Incident Command Systems ICS-100 and ICS 200 Certifications
- Incident Command Systems ICS-700 and ICS-800 Certifications
- National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Wisconsin State EMT Certification
- Driver/Operator Pumper Certification (IFSAC or Pro Board) (must be obtained within 24 months of employment)
- Fire Inspector II Certification (IFSAC or Pro Board) (must be obtained within 24 months of employment)
- Attention to Detail
- Fire Management
- Patient Care
- Technical Competence
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.
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; religious; 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.
Physical Requirements: Must maintain an adequate level of physical fitness to react quickly and have the stamina to endure the physical exertion and stress of firefighting; must complete 1 hour of physical activity per day per the NFPA 1500 and annually complete a Fire Department Physical Agility Test outline in NFPA 1500 and NFPA 1583. Fire Department personnel must complete an annual Firefighter physical with Employee Health to be cleared for duty. Incumbent must maintain physical condition to don personal protective equipment consisting of coat, helmet, boots, gloves, bunker pants, and self-contained breathing apparatus, which weighs 75 pounds. Incumbent must wear this equipment when responding to and during all emergency calls regardless of temperature. Incumbent is expected to enter buildings and atmospheres that are unsafe due to fire, oxygen deficiencies, etc. and perform very strenuous types of work carrying heavy equipment and victims. The requirements of the job are such that the incumbent must maintain alertness, self-control and emotional stability when working under conditions of stress, confusion, panic and where physical injury or death are present.
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/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Read more
- Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
