Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and other status candidates (VEOA, VRA, Schedule A, 30% or more DAV).

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Major Duties may include:

Fire Suppression/First Responder 60%

• Responds to fire alarms or other emergencies and calls for assistance from both the Medical Center and the surrounding communities.
• Performs the duties of nozzleman, hoseman, hydrantman or fire apparatus driver/operator as assigned by the shift supervisor.
• Operating as a member of a team during fire response, the incumbent selects the proper supply or attack hose lines, places these lines in service, selects appropriate tools, dons self-contained breathing apparatus, affects forcible entry into structures, advances a hose line to the seat of the fire, effects extinguishment, and performs search and rescue operations.
• Additional firefighting responsibility includes selecting, placing, and raising ground ladders, ventilating the involved structure to release gases and control the fire, performing salvage duties to protect property not currently affected by the fire and performing overhaul functions to ensure that visible and concealed fire has been extinguished.
• Responsible for adhering to the established Standard Operating Guidelines of the Fire Protection Section as established by the Fire Chief.
• Functions as driver/operator and is responsible for the efficient and safe operation of fire and rescue apparatus.
• Performs the daily inspection, testing and maintenance of two Medical Center owned fire apparatus, one rescue vehicle, one rescue boat, motor, and trailer, two ambulances and all associated equipment. This includes operational inspections and testing to ensure fire pumps, breathing apparatus and emergency generators are in a state of operational readiness.
• Responds with the appropriate apparatus to the scene of fires, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies.
• Will position the apparatus as directed by the officer in charge, connect supply lines to the pump and supply water at the appropriate water pressure to attack lines, sprinkler lines and standpipe lines.

Emergency Medical Technician (Basic Life Support) 25%

• Employs all sources of information to determine the nature of the person's illness or extent of injury.
• Performs initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination to determine priority of patient care based upon the assessment findings.
• Takes, records and monitors patient's baseline vital signs including temperature, blood pressure and pulse.
• Interviews the patient to identify preexisting medical conditions and obtain a comprehensive drug history.
• Controls external bleeding with direct pressure and treats the patient for shock and shock-like symptoms.
• Splints and immobilizes fractures and dislocations for transport. Utilizes various established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport as soon as possible.
• Establishes communication with the receiving facility, providing patient information and estimated time of arrival.
• Utilizes various established emergency medical techniques and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport to the receiving facility.
• Assists Advanced Life Support (ALS) staff including Paramedics, Doctors, Nurses, etc.
• Completes patient care documentation required to ensure medical requirements are met and accurately reported.
• Uses and maintains emergency medical equipment such as backboards, suction devices, AED's, splints, oxygen delivery systems, stretchers, etc. Properly disposes of biohazard materials and replenishes medical and expendable supplies

Hazardous Materials Operations 5%

• Is a first responder to hazardous materials incidents occurring on station and performs as a team member in determining the materials/chemicals involved, the degree of life hazard and potential environmental impact.
• Responds with the appropriate equipment to hazardous materials incidents in the surrounding communities.

Fire Safety Inspector 10%

• Performs fire safety inspections of the Medical Center on a quarterly basis to identify and eliminate actual or potential fire hazards.
• Conducts fire drills as assigned by the shift supervisor to evaluate employee knowledge of the fire plan and to identify those areas in need of improvement.
• Assists Police Service with unruly or combative patients.
• Operate an ambulance or passenger vehicle to transport patients between units.

Work Schedule: 72-hour work week/144 hours bi-weekly
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD23264A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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
• Physical Requirements: Moderate to heavy physical effort is required when reaching, bending, climbing, turning, or moving hands, arms, and feet in the performance of firefighting duties. Incumbent is required to participate in a physical fitness program.
• 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 identification 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 or 2-year trial 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, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/24/2026.

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6. 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.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT: 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.

The Selective Placement Factors for this position are as follows: Certification Requirements:

• Firefighter II certification, in accordance with NFPA 1001
• Operations Level Responders, in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472
• Fire Apparatus Driver Operator certification, in accordance with NFPA 1002
• Fire Inspector II certification, in accordance with NFPA 1031 - Must obtained this certification within 24 months of employment
• Emergency Medical Technician certification in the state of Maryland or National Registry. (For the State of Maryland - Meet and maintain requirements per MIEMSS for EMT Basic)

Copies of certifications (IFSAC or Pro Board) MUST be submitted by the closing date of the announcement; failure to submit any required certifications will result in the non-referral of the applicant.

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 the 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.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-6 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. (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.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Driver's License Requirement: A Valid State motor vehicle operator's license is required. Applicant may be required to provide their license at the time of interview. 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.
• Requirements for Motor Vehicle Operation: For those positions requiring employees to drive motorized firefighting equipment, candidates must possess and maintain a valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test and provide information on their driving record. See 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this manual for additional requirements for motor vehicle operators.
• Mechanical Equipment Operator Qualifications: For those positions requiring the operation of specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispensing devices, and/or rescue tools, applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability, before appointment, to operate the specific equipment to which they will be assigned, or similar related types of hydraullic equipment. 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.
• Performance Test. Agencies may require candidates to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the minimum physical abilities necessary to perform safely and efficiently the essential tasks of a particular position. Abilities may be demonstrated through prior satisfactory performance in the same or a similar position, or agencies may choose to use a task demonstration. A task demonstration must be directly related to the essential job tasks, and thus, must consist of a sample of operations or steps that reflect a reasonably faithful representation of those selected job tasks. Any demonstration required must be uniformly applied to all similarly qualified candidates; the level of proficiency required cannot exceed that which is required in actual job performance; and reasonable accommodation must be provided where necessary.
• Work Environment. Incumbent is required to work both inside and outside, frequently being exposed to adverse weather conditions and extreme heat while performing firefighting duties. Incumbent may be called upon to work in environments that are classified as immediately dangerous to life or health and, in some cases, may be required to work long hours under severe, stressful conditions. 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/.

Preferred Experience:

• Firefighter II per NFPA 1001
• Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responder per NFPA 472
• Maryland or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician
• Driver/Operator of Fire Apparatus Equipped with a Fire Pump per NFPA 1002

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Communications
• Compliance Inspection
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Fire Management
• First Response
• Flexibility
• Hazardous Materials
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Vehicle Operation

Your 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. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.