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Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Hudson Valley HCS

Summary

The VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System is actively recruiting for two Firefighter (Basic Life Support) positions within the Fire Service: one at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hospital in Montrose, NY and one at the Castle Point VA Medical Center.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$82,301 - $118,880 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6 - 7
Promotion potential
7
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBTE-13041738-26-KO
Control number
882226400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This is open to current, permanent employees of the VA Hudson Valley HCS (first consideration), VISN 2 (second consideration), and Veterans Health Administration.

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Duties

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This position performs work to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered by fire, and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards during a work shift of 72 hours per week on a rotating basis.

Major duties include but are not limited too:

  • Performs specialized rescues, hazardous materials spill response and serves as a driver/operator of pumpers, ambulances and special service vehicles.
  • Performs fire protection inspector duties, including inspecting and testing fire protection equipment.
  • Training personnel in fire protection and prevention.
  • Operate fire communications equipment.
  • Advise on improvements to structures for better fire prevention.
  • Plans, directs, or carries out fire protection and prevention programs and operations.
  • Operate and use fire extinguishing equipment carried on the apparatus such as foam and dry chemical extinguishing agents.
  • Follows protocols in providing basic life support.
  • Performs emergency medical procedures that are noninvasive.
  • Provides BLS transport of patients for medical appointments and emergency treatment as indicated to the appropriate medical facility.
  • Provides assessment of patient to physician or nurse who relies on these observations to provide additional treatment.
  • Performs duties as a member of the Medical Center Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT).
  • Responds to the presence or potential releases of hazardous materials for stopping or controlling the release using specialized chemical protective clothing and control equipment.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned by the Supervisory Firefighter or Fire Chief.


Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.


Work Schedule: 48 hours on/72 hours off
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD03506A and PD19443A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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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: Working conditions will include heavy physical exertion, extreme heat, smoke and dust in enclosed smoke-filled places, in all types of weather. Incumbent must participate in physical conditioning programs and must pass an annual medical surveillance and a job requirement physical agility test.
  • 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 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, 09/04/2026.

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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5, and for the 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.

To qualify for this position at the GS-6 grade level, you must meet the following:

You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter. 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. These assignments would have been performed of a more limited scope and with less independence than the full performance level, and be performed under supervision, consulting with the supervisor when problems are encountered.

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

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, assignments would have been performed independently, with little or no supervision, only consulting with the supervisor when unusual problems are encountered.

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.
  • 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.
  • Requirements for Motor Vehicle Operation - Driver's License: 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.

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. NOTE: NFPA the National Fire Protection Association.

GS-6 Grade Level Certifications:
  • Current and valid National or State Certification as Firefighter II, in accordance with NFPA 1001
  • Current and valid National or State Hazardous Materials Operations Level Certification, in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472
  • Current and valid National or State Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Certification
Within 24 months of employment, you will be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications for the GS-6 grade level:
  • National Fire Inspector I and II Certifications
  • National Apparatus Operator-Pumper Certification
  • National or New York State Confined Space Rescue Technician Certification
GS-7 Grade Level Certifications:
  • Current and valid National Firefighter II Certification
  • Current and valid National or State Hazardous Materials Technician Level Certification
  • Current and valid National Fire Inspector I Certification
  • Current and valid National Registry or New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Certification
  • Current and valid National Incident Management System - ICS 200 Level Certification
Within 24 months of employment, you will be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications for the GS-7 grade level:
  • National Fire Inspector II Certification
  • National Apparatus Operator-Pumper Certification
  • National or New York State Confined Space Rescue Technician Certification
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.

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

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.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of consideration: Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

  • Current, permanent employees of the VA Hudson Valley HCS
  • Current, permanent employees of VISN 2
  • Current, permanent employees of the Veterans Health Administration

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
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Emergency Care
  • Fire Management
  • First Response
  • Flexibility
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Competence


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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

About VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System

The VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System provides you with outstanding health care, trains America's future health care providers, and conducts important medical research.

Health care and services

We provide you with health care services at 9 locations in New York, serving an area along the Hudson River and north of New York City. Facilities include our hospitals in Montrose and Wappingers Falls, and 7 community-based outpatient clinics in Carmel, Goshen, Pine Plains, Monticello, New City, Port Jervis, and Poughkeepsie. To learn more about the services each location offers, visit the VA Hudson Valley health services page.

The VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network. We're an innovative care center within the former Veterans Integrated Service Network 2 (VISN 2), which included medical centers and clinics in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Agency contact information

Kimberly Ohalloran
Email
Kimberly.Ohalloran@va.gov
Address
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hospital
2094 Albany Post Road
Montrose, NY 10548
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://vacareers.va.gov/

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