Summary This position serves as a Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Materials Technician) for VA Medical Center Martinsburg, WV, adjacent Federal agencies, and designed mutual aid partners. In addition to firefighter and first responder duties, this position is required to maintain readiness for potential emergencies that call for the provision of basic life support and hazardous material functions. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Major duties and responsibilities include: Performs firefighting and rescue operations using proper extinguishing solutions and methods of decontamination. Wears protective gear to prevent accidents, illness, or injury due to encounters with such agents as poisonous gases, radioactive materials, and/or hazardous biological products. Performs crash/rescue (i.e., Helicopters) and firefighting in environments wherein the existence of flammables and explosives makes work operations intense and hazardous. Directs water, operates or deactivates mechanisms and systems, performs standby duty, and remains current on any and all developments which could impact upon the difficulty of rescue and fighting fires/through participation in pre-fire planning and fire prevention exercises. Fully participates in the role of hazardous materials first responder performing duties involving hazardous materials detection, establishment of a "safe perimeter", controlling area access during periods of waiting for the arrival of law enforcement personnel, referencing hazard and response information, and using and maintaining typical hazardous materials response equipment. Performs emergency medical first responder duties through the provision of assistance to those who have become injured via (1) the use of direct pressure and/or tourniquets to stop bleeding, (2) checking for blockages to the airway (3) performing CPR, (4) immobilizing patients for transport, and other comparable functions. Drives and operates fire fighting apparatus to include such items as pumpers and aerial ladder trucks following predetermined routes, or alternate routes as needed, and positioning vehicles at fire/rescue scenes in accordance with designated protocols. Performs non-invasive emergency procedures. Provides patient physical assessments both initial and ongoing and makes decisions based upon the physical exam with regard to priority of patient care. Using protective clothing and the proper equipment, responds to the existence of or the probability for release of hazardous materials with the goal of preventing or establishing control over such release. Plugs, patches, or through other means stops the release of hazardous substances. Evaluates hazardous materials responses and offers suggestions for response improvement. Maintains the fire station and keeps emergency response equipment in good condition. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 72-hour work week with 24-hour rotating shifts Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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 not received. Requirements 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 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. 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, 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. You may qualify at the GS-7 level if you fulfill the following qualifications: Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the Firefigter (BLS/Hazmat) position. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service. 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. -AND- English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care position sunless 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- 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 them are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factors for this position are: Certification as Firefighter I and II (DOD, IFSAC, Pro-Board) Hazardous Materials Operations (DOD, IFSAC, Pro-Board) certification Certification as Driver Operator Pumper (DOD, IFSSAC, Pro-Board) National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Basic or State of West Virginia (EMT-B-) certification. NOTE: COPIES OF YOUR CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSE(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE CLOSING DATE TO RECEIVE CREDIT. -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. Applicants also may be required to pass a practical road test and provide information on their driving record. 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- 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. Medical Requirements: Applicants for positions that have duties of an arduous or hazardous nature must meet the medical standards described at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/fire-protection-and-prevention-series-0081/. Since individual positions may not include all such duties, a physical condition or impairment may be disqualifying for employment only if there is a direct relationship between the condition and the nature of the duties of the specific position to be filled. Employees in positions involving firefighting duties or other duties involving arduous physical exertion may be subject to periodic (e.g., annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. (See 5 CFR 339.) Any serious deviation from sound medical condition may be grounds for rejection, regardless of whether the condition is named below. Remediable defects or curable diseases will not exclude a person from consideration, but proof that such defects have been remedied or the disease cured must be received during the life of the eligible register before persons otherwise qualified may be considered for appointment under civil service rules. Physical Requirements/Work Environment: 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, smoke and dust in enclosed smoke-filled places. On a regular and recurring basis, the person in this position is exposed to infection and contagious diseases, is required to work in all @types of weather conditions, and faces risks and discomforts at the scene of the accidents, to include the possibility of noxious fumes and dangerous substances, requiring to comply with special safety and health precautions and/or to use protective gear. There is also exposure to dangers of high voltage from electrical equipment. As a member of the rescue crew, the firefighter may be involved with the duty of rescue from hazardous permit required confined spaces, fast moving water, high angle above ground rope rescues, rescue from hazardous material spills, below grade rescue, as well as rescue from fire. 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 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. 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. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. 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/.
