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***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

The Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations) receives immediate supervision from the Lead Firefighter. Completes all assigned duties, whether under normal or emergency conditions. This includes the duties of Driver/Operator who also functions as Hazardous Materials Operations and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

As a crew member, the person in the position is assigned to various positions on either the pumper or rescue/hazmat truck. As assigned, the Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations) shall complete the daily vehicle and equipment check of all VA fire service emergency response vehicles. Attends and conducts training for personnel as directed by the Fire Chief in all phases of firefighting and protection within the structural series and takes charge of all firefighting activities at the scene of a fire in the absence of the senior fire officer. During emergency situations, must be able to execute all firefighting and/or rescue operations without hesitation.

The Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations) responds to all Medical Center emergencies, performs firefighting duties such as determining the nature and extent of the fire and the appropriate action required, laying and disconnecting hoses, directing fire streams, operating firefighting equipment, ensuring ventilation of burning buildings, performing evacuations and rescues, administering appropriate emergency treatments, etc.

The Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations) performs noninvasive medical procedures. In performing these Basic Life Support (BLS) procedures, the Firefighter will:

• Perform initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination Emergency Medical Technician;
• Determine priority of patient care based on assessment findings;
• Take, record, and monitor patient's baseline vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, and pulse;
• Manage respiratory and cardiac emergencies, to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bag-valve-mask resuscitation, and automatic external defibrillation (AED);
• Control external bleeding with direct pressure and treat shock with pneumatic anti-shock garments;
• Splint and immobilize fractures and dislocations for transport;
• Attempt to ascertain whether the patient has preexisting medical problems and obtain a comprehensive drug history from the patient that includes the names, strength, and dosage of drugs taken by the patient.
• Assist patients in taking emergency medications for certain complaints, e.g., Nitroglycerin tablets for chest pain, Epinephrine auto-injections for allergic reactions, or Albuterol inhalers for asthma patients, under the direction of standing orders or of a physician;
• Establish communication with the receiving facility and provide all patient information, including estimated time of arrival;
• Employ a variety of established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport, as soon as possible, to the receiving facility;
• Employ hazard and risk assessment techniques to complete incident analysis;
• Ensure that fire inspections are completed in all buildings and areas of the medical center;
• Oversee and perform preventative maintenance of firefighting apparatus equipment, etc., such as checking batteries, tires, fuel, oil levels, sirens, and lights, etc.;
• Provide fire prevention through inspections, drills, and advising medical center personnel, including supervisors, of fire hazards in related areas and actions to be taken as prescribed by various technical manuals, fire codes, and reference books, which are constantly updated and expanded; and,
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Firefighters work a rotating shift work; seventy-two (72) hours per week. Fire Department operates twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week in which employees are assigned to alternating shifts of twenty-four (24) hours, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

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.

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

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.
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-7 grade level, you must meet the following:

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/Hazardous Material Operations). 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. NOTE: 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.

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," or only the job title(s) is 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. ~AND~

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

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 perform the duties of this position. ~AND~

Maximum Age Requirement (Screen Out): 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. Prior service in covered positions and creditable towards retirement may be subtracted from the applicant's age to determine if the Federal firefighter meets the maximum entry age. ~AND~

Requirements for Motor Vehicle Operation - Driver's License (Screen Out): Applicants must possess and maintain a current and valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind (must be possess at application). Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test in the Class A Triple Combination Pumper and be capable of operating all firefighting equipment including that on board the fire truck. Applicants 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 Requirements: 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.
In an emergency, work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for an extended period of time. The most common encountered applications of strength and endurance are lifting and carrying objects (up to 80 lbs.), pulling objects (up to 135 lbs.), and working with objects in front of the body (up to 125 lbs.). Activities involve prolonged periods of time standing, walking, bending, crouching, and carrying heavy firefighting tools and related equipment associated with the performance of such duties as maintenance, testing, inspections, drills, suppression, and transport of persons. ~AND~

This position includes Selective Placement Factors (skill, knowledge, ability, or other worker characteristic 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 it are ineligible for further consideration.

The Selective Placement Factors for this position are the required Certifications listed below. Copies of your current and valid certifications must be submitted with your application to receive credit.

• Current and valid Firefighter II - IFAC, Pro-Board, or State Certification
• Current and valid Driver/Operator - IFSAC, Pro-Board, or State Certification
• Current and valid Hazardous Materials Operations - IFSAC, Pro-Board, or State Certification
• Current and valid State of Louisiana or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Certification

Certification required within one year of employment:

• Fire Inspector I and II - IFAC, Pro-Board or a State certification will be required to obtain and maintain within one year of employment as Firefighter/EMT (agency will provide)

NOTE: IFSAC is the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• FIRE MANAGEMENT
• TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
• ANALYTICAL THINKING

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.

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/.

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. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

• Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
• Highly qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the requirements of the job;
• Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.

Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category (except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher).

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.