Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Employee will be assigned to the Fire and Emergency Service, VA New Jersey Healthcare System, Lyons, New Jersey. The employee responds to fires and other emergencies in areas such as residences, multi-story patient care buildings, outpatient clinics and laboratories, multiple story office buildings, carpenter shop, paint shop, electric shop, general repair shop, warehouse, fuel storage areas, public assembly areas, and brush and wooded areas.

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-07. At the GS-05 and GS-06 grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Duties include but not limited to: Controls and extinguishes fires, operates hose lines, makes forced entries, ventilates structures, performs or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers, and performs salvage and overhaul. Performs rescues, emergency medical care, hazardous materials spill response and serves as the driver/operator of motorized firefighting and rescue vehicles. Provides stand-by and other protective measures as required for hazardous operations. Serves as a hose man, hydrant man, ladder man, rescue man and drives and operates firefighting apparatus of significant complexity. Drives the fire apparatus to the scene of the emergency following a predetermined route, or selects an alternate route when necessary; positions the apparatus, considering factors such as wind direction, water sources, hazards from falling structures, etc. Operates pumps, foam systems, monitor nozzles and other similar equipment; determines proper operating pressures for the distances to be pumped and the number of lines being used; and applies principles of hydraulics to water flow friction and friction loss. Assists in training new Firefighters in the skills of driving and operating existing Medical Center apparatus. Performs daily preventative maintenance inspections of apparatus and equipment, performing basic operator maintenance. Performs fire inspection duties in various occupancies and conducts fire and life safety education. The Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in addition to fire and safety related duties will be assigned as a member of the rescue crew, ambulance crew, or hazardous materials spill response team. Responds to releases or potential releases of Hazardous materials / Toxic materials/ Weapons of Mass Destruction in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Serves as a member of the Medical Center Emergency Team for emergency medical response involving injuries or illness of patients, staff, and visitors and transports patients in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Performs Basic Life Support (BLS) duties. Performs other related duties as assigned. 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. Work Schedule: Full-Time; 72 hour work week. The Fire Department operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in which employees are assigned to alternating shifts of 24 hours. This position is subject to overtime call back and mandatory overtime to ensure mandatory compliance with minimum crew manning requirements. This position is considered "essential" in regards to reporting during inclement weather or other adverse conditions. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.

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 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) - See "Required Documents" below for details. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

IMPORTANT: 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/.