Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Summary

This position is located within the Facilities Services Line at the VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin. The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) performs work to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered by fire, and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards. It also includes providing basic life support and other non-invasive medical procedures.

Duties

• ***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 include but are not limited to: Controls and extinguishes fires, operates various nozzles and hose lines, makes connections to, and operates fire hydrants, performs forcible entries, ventilates structures, carries, raises, and lowers ground ladders, performs, or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools, portable fire extinguishers, and performs salvage and overhaul. Performs specialized rescues, hazardous materials spill response and serves as a driver operator of motorized firefighting vehicles. Responds to all emergency calls on Tomah VA Medical Center Grounds as well as requests for Mutual Aid by surrounding communities to extinguish fire when requested and approved by management. Attends periodic classes to keep proficient in operation of fire hose lines and nozzles, use of forcible entry tools, ventilation of structures, use of specialized rescue equipment and other fire and emergency skills needed to maintain proficiency. Has responsibility for a diverse fire protection inspection program which covers a myriad of locations and structures peculiar to a medical facility. Inspects medical and psychological facilities, multiple story buildings, administrative buildings, public assemblies, industrial shops, warehouses and residential quarters for fire safety violations and other conditions contributing to more extensive fire hazards. Inspects high hazard areas such as painting and welding operations. Inspections will be based upon complex National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Occupational Safety Health Agency (OSHA), Joint Commission and Department of Veteran Affairs standards and regulations. Conducts inspections, testing and maintenance (ITM) on fire detection and suppression systems such as, but not limited to sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers and fire hydrants. Conducts regularly scheduled and unscheduled inspections of all safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, fire doors, exits, stairways, indicator posts, standpipe systems, self-contained breathing masks, as well as special inspections to ensure equipment is always operational. Inspects building structure and other facilities for compliance with fire protection and prevention regulations, including, new construction, alterations, or repair work in progress. Conducts general work planning daily, particularly in the areas of training and fire inspections. Prepares necessary reports as required upon returning from fire inspections, fire drills, annual inspections, and emergencies. Reviews, assess, and makes recommendations concerning Fire Department records of fire prevention inspections, air packs, extinguishers vehicle, hose, fire equipment, daily workloads, safety meeting and pre-fire planning. Reviews and assesses training programs for firefighters and inspectors on performing inspection tasks for firefighting apparatus, sprinkler systems, hydrants, control valve systems, fire pumps, and other identified work details. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 72-hour shifts, 144 hours per pay period; works a schedule of 48hrs on then 72hrs off, 48hrs on then 72hrs off, and 48hrs on then 48hrs off. 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 received.

Qualifications

AGE REQUIREMENT: Maximum Entry AgeFor initial appointments, applicant cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the day of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit noted, but who have previously served 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 Federal 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. 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. REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION: Applicants 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. Please do not upload a copy of your license at this time. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your current, valid, and unrestricted state driver's license. In addition to the meeting the above requirements, you must also meet the following Selective Factors -Certification Requirements* for this position. You must submit copies of your certifications with your application to receive credit. 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: To be eligible for employment as a VA Firefighter, applicants must possess the following certifications. Please submit a copy of each required certification with your application to receive credit - no photos please. Must have received certification as either an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or Pro Board HAZMAT Operations Level Responder. (Proof of Certification Required) Must have received certification as either an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or Pro Board-Certified Firefighter I and II. (Proof of Certification Required) Must have received certification in Incident Command Systems - ICS-100 & 200. (Proof of Certification Required) Must have received certification in National Incident Management Systems - ICS-700 & 800. (Proof of Certification Required) Either have received certification as either an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or Pro Board Apparatus Operator - Pumper or you must be willing to obtain within 24 months. (Proof of Certification Required) Either have received certification as either an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or Pro Board Fire Inspector I and II or you must be willing to obtain within 24 months. (Proof of Certification Required) Must possess a current, valid, state, or national registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)- Basic certification. (Proof of Certification Required). Must possess and maintain a Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) Certification.(Proof of Certification Required). In addition to meeting the above requirements, applicants must also meet the following: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level in the Federal Service that has given you the knowledge, skills and abilities requ…

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.