Firefighter (Paramedic)

Summary This incumbent serves as a Firefighter (Paramedic) in the Fire Section, Public Safety Service at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The incumbent provides support within the Battle Creek VA Medical Center Fire Section, Public Safety Service. Responsibilities The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: The incumbent must also possess a current National Registry or State of Michigan Paramedic level certification is also required upon hire. The incumbent must be certified according to the VHA Directive 7718 as a Firefighter II upon hire. The incumbent must also possess certifications as a Pumper Driver/Operator upon hire. The incumbent must also possess Fire Inspector II within 24 months of employment. The Firefighter (Paramedic) works a 48-hour tour of duty which averages to 72 hours per week to accomplish the goals and mission of the Medical Center. The Firefighter will occasionally work overtime for staffing purposes. The Firefighter (Paramedic) responds to all Medical Center emergencies, performs such firefighting duties as determining the nature and extent of the fire, the appropriate action required, laying, and disconnecting hoses, directing fire streams, operating firefighting equipment, ventilation of burning buildings, performing evacuations and rescues, administering appropriate emergency treatments, etc. Drives and operates the two fire engines and other emergency vehicles to the scene of the emergency, following predetermined routes or selecting an alternate route when necessary. The incumbent positions the apparatus considering such factors as wind direction, sources of water and hazards from falling structures. Operates pumps, foam generators, nozzles, and other similar firefighting equipment. Determines proper pressures for the distances to be pumped and the number of lines being used. Applies principles of hydraulics as they pertain to water flow friction and friction loss. Maintains a constant awareness of water levels in self-contained tanks and warns handline and rescue personnel when tanks are close to running dry. Performs checks, tests, and maintenance on fire department vehicles and equipment, and troubleshoots and corrects problems during actual operations. Responds to all structural alarms and medical emergencies at the Battle Creek VAMC and at times, provides medical and fire protection as a member of the Calhoun County Mutual Aid Agreement. Transports patients to off station hospitals, hospitals, care facilities, residences and appointments, providing both Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Basic Life Support (BLS) care and treatment. Provides non-invasive procedures following approved state and federal ALS level protocols in support of the attending Medical Center Physician. Performs routine maintenance and/or inspection of fire extinguishers, tools, firefighting equipment, fixed fire protection equipment, and other related items. Informs the Fire Section Supervisors of any lost or damaged equipment and any mechanical failure or maintenance work required on vehicles or equipment. As required, the incumbent shall assist in training new Medical Center firefighters to ensure they are familiarized with the fire apparatus and the medical center's buildings, etc. Manage medical emergencies related to respiratory, cardiac, diabetic, cold/heat related, and all other Advanced Life Support (ALS) functions. Manage trauma related emergencies, such as falls, cuts, broken/fractured extremities, head, and back injuries. Operate firefighting and ambulance emergency vehicles. Properly document patient care reports and other fire related documents. Operate as a member of hazardous materials response team. Operate as a member of a confined space rescue team. Understand aspects of a firefighting and rescue team. Safely remove occupants trapped inside elevators. Work Schedule: 48 hours on followed by 48/72 hours off Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Paramedic)/PD91655-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Must possess a valid states driver's license. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/18/2024. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. 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. This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (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 Factor for this position is: Current, valid, state or national registry Paramedic certification. (Documentation is required) AND Drivers License: Must possess a valid states driver's license. (Please do NOT upload a photo of your Drivers License, please complete Drivers License information in the announcement questionnaire). AND (a)To be eligible for employment as a VA firefighter, each potential employee must have received Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001, and must have received Certification as Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of, in NFPA 472. (b) Newly employed VA firefighters must obtain Fire Inspector II in accordance with NFPA 1031 within 24 months of employment. (c) To be eligible for employment as, or promotion to, a VA driver/operator, each employee must have received certification as driver/operator in accordance with NFPA 1002. Selective Placement Factor Required Certifications (SCREEN-OUT): The following certifications awarded by the State of Michigan, National Registry of EMT Paramedic, IFSAC or ProBoard are required: State or National Paramedic IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter I & II IFSAC or ProBoard Driver/Operator Pumper Selective Placement Factor Preferred Certifications: IFSAC or ProBoard Fire Inspector II within 24 months of employment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-08 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: (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 duties would have been performed exercising independent judgment AGE REQUIREMENT: Maximum Entry Age: For 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. REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION: For those positions requiring employees to drive motorized firefighting equipment, 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. See 5 CFR 930 and the "General Policies and Instructions" section of this Manual for additional requirements for motor vehicle operators. Please do not submit a copy of your driver's license. If you are called for an interview, you WILL be REQUIRED to provide a copy of your license at that time. Physical Requirements: Work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for a long period of time, in an emergency situation. Activities involve prolonged periods of time standing, walking, bending, crouching, and carrying heavy firefighting tools and related equipment associated with the performance of such duties as maintenance, testing, inspections, drills, suppression, and transport of persons. The Firefighter must be able to lift more than 50 pounds and have the physical ability to perform firefighting duties while wearing personal protective equipment that weighs between 40-50 pounds. Work requires the ability to perform strenuous physical activity for a long period of time, in an emergency. Activities involve Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling 1 hour (hand over hand); Pulling hand over hand; Pushing; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking 8 hours; Standing 8 hours; Crawling 4 hours; Repeated bending; Climbing use of legs and arms, Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required ; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing without aid; Mental and Emotional Stability. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Emergency Care 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. 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. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.