Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN EXTENDED. IF YOU HAD PREVIOUSLY APPLIED, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY BUT YOU CAN MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR APPLICATION. These positions are located within the Fire Department in the Fire Service at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System in Castle Point and Montrose, NY. The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) works to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered by fire, and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards.

To qualify for this position at the GS-6 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-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: 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). 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. ~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~ 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 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Certification Current and valid National Incident Management System - ICS 200 Level Certification Current and valid National or State Apparatus Operator-Pump 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 National Hazardous Materials Technician Certification GS-7 Grade Level Certifications: Current and valid National Firefighter II Certification Current and valid National or State Hazardous Materials Operations 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 Current and valid National or NYS Apparatus Operator-Pump 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 National Hazardous Materials Technician Certification 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. 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/.