Firefighter (Paramedic)

Summary This position is located within the Fire Department Service Line at the Bath VA Medical Center in Bath, NY. The Firefighter (Paramedic) will perform the duties and responsibilities as a Paramedic, Firefighter and Hazardous Material Technician for the Medical Center. Responsibilities The major duties include but are not limited to: Provides advanced or detailed patient assessment by conducting a systematic physical examination of the patient's condition and determines treatment methods; Administers medications and solutions orally or intravenously under the direction of standing orders )Protocols) or of a physician; Independently performs fire inspection duties in area where hazards are expected to be encountered; Services as a hose-man, hydrant-man, ladder-man, rescue-man and drives and operates firefighting apparatus of significant complexity; Provides training for Fire Service personnel to ensure appropriate response to special chemicals and hazards materials and establish effective procedures and techniques for preventing and extinguishing unknown fires; Performs and implements installation personnel management policies; Assists the Fire Chief in setting performance standards and written instructions, Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines, Hospital Standard Operating Procedures and Policies for nonroutine work; Prepare reports on operational readiness capability to the Fire Chief; manages physical fitness program for all fire protection personnel assigned, to maintain proper physical conditioning. Ensures personnel are trained on hazardous material incident control, appropriate response to special chemical hazards, setting up a special hazardous response team, and conducts recurring proficiency drills to assure effective response to various incidents; Serves as a team member effectively controlling and extinguishing fires, operates hose lines, makes forced entries, ventilates structures, perform or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers, and performs salvage and overhaul; Performs electro cardiology procedures to include: Taking and interpreting electrocardiograms (EKG) ; Performing manual defibrillation ;Providing transcutaneous external pacing; Ensures proper disposal of biohazard materials. Replaces used intravenous needles and solutions, lines, blankets, and other expendable supplies. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, 72 hours Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Paramedic)/PD05714A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 state driver's license Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/08/2024. 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 09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 07. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the federal service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter (Paramedic). 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. NOTE: 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. In addition to the above requirement, 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. 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. Applicant 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~ 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. ~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 package to receive credit. Current and valid New York State or National Registry EMT-P Paramedic certification Current and valid Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Current and valid Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Current and valid Advanced Life Support (ALS) Current and valid National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firefighter I Within 24 months of employment, you will be required to obtain and maintain the certifications below: Fire Inspector I and II Hazardous Materials National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firefighter II 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. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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.