- Position Title
- Firefighter (Basic Life Support)
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSY-12721376-25-KC Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, June 30, 2025 to Monday, July 7, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
This position has an age requirement. Enter or select your date of birth.
2.
Are you an employee of the facility indicated for this position?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
- you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
- your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND,
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
2.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
3.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
4.
Are you willing to accept the conditions of employment as indicated in the announcement?
5.
Applicants are required to undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment. Will you comply with this requirement?
6.
Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment physical?
7.
A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.
Do you possess a current and valid state-issued driver's license?
Do you possess a current and valid state-issued driver's license?
8.
This position has a time-in-grade (TIG) requirement to qualify at the GS-07. Have you completed 52 weeks in a position at or above the GS-06 grade level or equivalent?
If applying as an internal or status candidate with current or former Federal Service, you must provide a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action", showing the highest grade or promotion potential held. 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.
9.
Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
Do you confirm that the above information is clearly stated for each work entry you are claiming experience for, and that each entry is full time unless otherwise annotated with part-time hours?
- Name and Contact Information
- Job title
- Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2019 to April 2021)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week if part-time)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held.
Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
Do you confirm that the above information is clearly stated for each work entry you are claiming experience for, and that each entry is full time unless otherwise annotated with part-time hours?
Assessment 1
Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Maximum Age Requirement: 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 fire service by the time the firefighter reaches the age of 57.
Do you meet this requirement?
Do you meet this requirement?
2.
Selective Placement Factor: A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. To be eligible for employment as a VA Supervisory Firefighter, applicants must have obtained the following certifications as required by VHA Directive 7718 dated June 19, 2020 prior to the closing of the announcement:
Do you currently possess each of the certificates listed above?
- Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001
- Certification as Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of, in NFPA 472.
- Certification as driver/operator pumper in accordance with NFPA 1002.
- Certification as National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT)
Do you currently possess each of the certificates listed above?
3.
GS-07 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Select the statement response that best reflects your experience and/or education to meet the specific qualification requirements for this position.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
4.
Fight fires in an installation environment with multi-story buildings consisting of more than three stories presenting complex and hazardous firefighting situations.
5.
Provide fire protection at a hospital or installation engaged in using various types of gases, oxygen, nitrogen, gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas.
6.
Inspects warehouses, shops, hospitals, offices, and living quarters for violations of fire regulations, and for conditions contributing to serious fire hazards; detecting and determining proper corrective action for the moderately complex hazards found.
7.
Check fixed protection systems and equipment for proper placement; performing tests and minor maintenance and repair to ensure operational condition.
8.
Discuss inspection findings with operating officials to obtain compliance with recommended actions and write complex and accurate inspection reports.
9.
Respond to fire/emergency alarm, determine nature and extent of emergency and develop an immediate plan of action that may need to deviate from plans rehearsed or discussed during training exercises.
10.
Detect the presence of potentially hazardous materials, protecting self and others by establishing a safe perimeter around the incident, and controlling access to the area until the proper authorities arrive.
11.
Identify areas or groups of individuals requiring special evacuation assistance, e.g., non-ambulatory patients, patients with cognitive or psychological disabilities, patients dependent on electrical medical equipment, etc.
12.
Perform vehicle extraction, elevator and confined space rescue operations.
13.
Perform patient triage, determining and prioritizing appropriate medical treatment and whether additional assistance is needed.
14.
Perform firefighting duties including laying and connecting hoses, directing water through turrets and hand lines to cool building contents, and ventilating burning buildings.
15.
Operate or deactivate mechanisms such as mechanical doors, oxygen supply systems that may require the use of special tools developed for a particular system.
16.
Drive firefighting vehicle to the scene of a fire, positioning vehicle in consideration of factors such as wind direction, water sources, hazards from falling structures, powerlines, etc.
17.
Operate a ladder or pumper truck, maneuvering the vehicle to keep the fire in optimum range while ensuring back flash will not occur and maintaining a constant awareness of water levels in self-contained tanks.
18.
Operate pumps, foam generators, boom and ground-sweep nozzles, and other similar equipment; determining proper pressure for the distances to be pumped and the number of lines being used; and applying principles of hydraulics to water flow friction and friction loss.
19.
Employ hazard and risk assessment techniques to complete initial incident analysis by surveying the incident to identify the materials involved, determining whether hazardous materials have been released, and evaluating the surrounding conditions.
20.
Collect hazard and response information from material safety data sheets or hazardous material placards to predict the likely behavior of a material in a container and estimate potential harm to people and the environment.
21.
Use, maintain, and decontaminate common hazardous material response equipment and supplies including protective clothing, breathing apparatus, dry and extinguishing chemicals, and decontamination agents and equipment.
22.
Perform advanced mitigation, control, and confinement operations within the capabilities of the available resources and personal protective equipment available to control leaks or releases using a variety of methods (e.g., cooling, plugging, or patching containers; applying diluting sprays or neutralizing agents; and constructing dams, dikes, or channels).
23.
Utilizing hazardous material response equipment and supplies including liquid splash- and vapor-protective clothing, respiratory protection, dry and extinguishing chemicals, and decontamination agents and equipment.
24.
Records and monitors patient's vital signs (i.e., temperature, blood pressure, and pulse) and verifies current medications to assess medical needs.
25.
Perform basic life support care at emergency scene in accordance with established medical standards, which may include providing CPR in accordance with AHA standards and/or drug treatments.
26.
Use various emergency medical equipment, tools, and supplies including extraction tools, blood pressure cuff, AED, glucose monitor, oxygen terminal, pulse oximetry monitor, and other medical supplies.
27.
Respond to cardiac and respiratory emergencies, maintain circulation, control bleeding, and provide spinal management and immobilization.
28.
Determine, with due regard to the patient's condition, if and how the patient can be moved, to which medical facility the patient should be transported, and what, if any, extra care, special equipment, or oxygen the patient will need during transport.
Reminder
Mechanical Equipment Operator Qualifications: For those positions requiring the operation of specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispensing devices, and/or rescue tools, applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability, before appointment, to operate the specific equipment to which they will be assigned, or similar related types of hydraulic equipment.
Performance Test: Agencies may require candidates to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the minimum physical abilities necessary to perform safely and efficiently the essential tasks of a particular position. The abilities may be demonstrated through prior satisfactory performance in the same or a similar position, or agencies may choose to use a task demonstration. A task demonstration must be directly related to the essential job tasks, and thus, must consist of a sample of operations or steps that reflect a reasonably faithful representation of those selected job tasks. Any demonstration required must be uniformly applied to all similarly qualified candidates; the level of proficiency required cannot exceed that which is required in actual job performance; and reasonable accommodation must be provided where necessary.
Mechanical Equipment Operator Qualifications: For those positions requiring the operation of specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispensing devices, and/or rescue tools, applicants may be required to demonstrate the ability, before appointment, to operate the specific equipment to which they will be assigned, or similar related types of hydraulic equipment.
Performance Test: Agencies may require candidates to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the minimum physical abilities necessary to perform safely and efficiently the essential tasks of a particular position. The abilities may be demonstrated through prior satisfactory performance in the same or a similar position, or agencies may choose to use a task demonstration. A task demonstration must be directly related to the essential job tasks, and thus, must consist of a sample of operations or steps that reflect a reasonably faithful representation of those selected job tasks. Any demonstration required must be uniformly applied to all similarly qualified candidates; the level of proficiency required cannot exceed that which is required in actual job performance; and reasonable accommodation must be provided where necessary.