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Firefighter (Paramedic)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The employee will serve as a Firefighter (Paramedic) within the Fire Department Service Line at the Bath VA Medical Center in Bath, NY.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/19/2024 to 01/21/2025
Salary
$92,218 to - $119,897 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Bath, NY
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
CBTE-12650493-25-GT
Control number
825098300

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Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Provides advanced or detailed patient assessment, conducting systematic physical examination to determine treatment methods used which may include invasive procedures, electro cardiology procedures, advanced and invasive airway procedures and administers medications and solutions orally or intravenously.
  • Controls and extinguishes fires, operates hose lines, makes forced entries, ventilates structures, performs or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers.
  • Drives and operates motorized firefighting and rescue vehicles.
  • Performs hazardous materials response such as stops or controls release, employs hazard and risk assessment techniques.
  • Assists in incident critiques and debriefings.
  • Prepares incident reports and documentation.
  • Performs daily preventative maintenance inspections of apparatus and equipment.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Rotating shift, 72 hours

*** Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Have been authorized for this position.

Requirements

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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.
  • Must possess a valid state driver's license

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/30/2024.

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~

To qualify for this position at the GS-9 level, you must meet the following:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-8) in the federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter (Paramedic). 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 have provided emergency medical first responder or higher medical level pre-hospital patient assessments; conduct systematic physical examinations to determine patient's condition and treatment. These duties performed require exercising independent judgement. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

NOTE: You must provide detailed information on your resume of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Firefighter", "I was a Firefighter for a number of years," "I performed Paramedic work" or only the job title(s) are all insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

In addition to the above requirement, you must also meet all of the following requirements to qualify for this position:

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 firefighter service by the time the firefighter reaches the age of 57. ~AND~

DRIVER'S LICENSE: All applicants must possess and maintain a current and valid state motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test in the Class A Triple Combination Pumper and be capable of operating motorized firefighting and rescue vehicles and all firefighting equipment including that on board the fire truck. Applicant also may be required to provide information on their driving record. Applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability, before appointment, to operate specific equipment to which they will be assigned, or similar related types of hydraulic equipment. 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. ~AND~

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants will be given a physical examination including a treadmill and agility test. Failure to pass these tests may be justification for disqualification. Periodic medical examinations following appointment may be required to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. ~AND~

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTORS: This position includes Selective Placement Factors (skills, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristics basic to and essential for satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet this are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factors for this position are the required certifications listed below. Applicants must possess the following current and valid certification requirements. You must submit copies of your certifications with your application to receive credit.
Firefighter I Certification
Firefighter II Certification
Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic (EMT-P) (National Registry or State of New York)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification


You will be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications within 24 months of employment:
Fire Inspector I and II
Hazardous Materials Certification


You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Emergency Care
  • Fire Management
  • Hazardous Materials


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 work of this position involves extended periods of lifting, heavy moving and restraining of patients. Generally, the work requires recurrent bending, lifting, stooping, stretching and positioning patients. This frequently occurs under adverse conditions or in confined surroundings. Work may involve adverse weather conditions and long periods of time under stress. The person in this position may be required to lift up to 50-100 pounds. May include heavy physical exertion, extreme heat, some and dust in enclosed smoke-filled places.

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.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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