Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Serves as one of three Lead Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians in the Fire Protection Section of the Safety and Occupational Health Service working a 48-hour shift, 72-hour work week. Primarily, fire protection responsibility includes a 450-bed Medical Center that is part of the VA Maryland Health Care System, consisting of three medical centers, one satellite nursing home, two satellite outpatient clinics and several outreach centers.

Major Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to: Work Leader/Fire Suppression/First Responder Assigning firefighters to riding positions on fire apparatus, directing, and performing inspection and training activities and ensuring the conduct of daily station and equipment inspection and maintenance. In the absence of the Assistant Chief, performs these duties independently reporting directly to the Fire Chief. Responsible for adhering to the established Standard Operating Guidelines of the Fire Protection Section as established by the Fire Chief. Responds to fire alarms or other emergencies and calls for assistance from both the Medical Center and the surrounding communities. Performs the duties of nozzleman, hoseman, hydrantman or fire apparatus driver/operator as assigned by the Assistant Chief. In the absence of the Assistant Chief and Fire Chief, the incumbent serves as overall incident commander and is responsible for issuing orders and directing firefighters and Medical Center employees, including Nursing staff and Police, in a plan of attack to extinguish fires promptly and effectively, saves lives and property and limit or prevent environmental harm. Responds with sufficient manpower, apparatus, and equipment to assist the local community with water rescues and hazardous materials incidents in which the incumbent may be called upon to render technical advice and assistance in resolving the emergency. Receives daily assignments from the Assistant Chief, provides direction to the crew during station/equipment maintenance activities and while performing fire safety and fire protection systems inspections. Provides input to the Assistant Chief for the purpose of evaluating employee performance, assisting in the resolution of employee grievances, and taking or recommending disciplinary or other personnel actions where appropriate. Operating as a member of a team during fire response, selects the proper supply or attack hose lines, places these lines in service, selects appropriate tools, dons self-contained breathing apparatus, affects forcible entry into structures, advances a hose line to the seat of the fire, effects extinguishment, and performs search and rescue operations. As assigned by the Assistant Chief, may function as driver/operator and is responsible for the efficient and safe operation of fire and rescue apparatus. Performs the daily inspection, testing and maintenance of two Medical Center owned fire apparatus, one rescue vehicle, one rescue boat, motor, and trailer, two ambulances and all associated equipment. This includes operational inspections and testing to ensure fire pumps, breathing apparatus and emergency generators are in a state of operational readiness. Emergency Medical Technician (Basic Life Support) Operates the Medical Center ambulance for response to medical emergencies, including life threatening emergencies, to transport patients from one Medical Center building to another, or transport to off-station facilities for higher levels of care as directed by responding medical staff. Performs noninvasive procedures following State and National Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Life Support (BLS) Protocols. BLS duties: Employs all sources of information to determine the nature of the person's illness or extent of injury. Performs initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination to determine priority of patient care based upon the assessment findings. Takes, records and monitors patient's baseline vital signs including temperature, blood pressure and pulse. Interviews the patient to identify preexisting medical conditions and obtain a comprehensive drug history. Controls external bleeding with direct pressure and treats the patient for shock and shock-like symptoms. Hazardous Materials Operations First responder to hazardous materials incidents occurring on station and performs as a team member in determining the materials/chemicals involved, the degree of life hazard and potential environmental impact. When requested, responds with the appropriate equipment to hazardous materials incidents in the surrounding communities. Fire Safety Inspector Serves as lead fire inspector for an assigned shift and assures that all Medical Center buildings, grounds, construction sites, etc., are inspected at required frequencies. Performs fire safety inspections of the Medical Center to identify and eliminate actual or potential fire hazards. Inspecting fire extinguishers for proper type, placement and operating condition, and inspection of fire detection and suppression systems. Work Schedule: 144 hours biweekly including weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD23263A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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 identification 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.