Veterans Health Administration Logo
Position Title
Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support/Hazardous Material Operations)
Agency
Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CBST-12746757-25-CR Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 to Tuesday, June 17, 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. (limit characters)
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.
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3. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • 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.
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Preferences
1. 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.
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Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:
  • Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
  • Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
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 not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages or encrypted, and digitally signed documents linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.
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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). (limit characters)
2. 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. (limit characters)
3. 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?
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4. Please provide your driver's license number, issuing state and expiration date. Reminder - Do not include a copy of your license; if referred for interview it may be requested at that time. (limit characters)
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? (limit characters)
6. Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment physical? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 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. (limit characters)
1. (Minimum Qualifications) Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work at the GS-8 level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service.

To qualify at the GS-8 grade, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher.

Specialized Experience: 
  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.
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
2. Selective Placement Factor: The following question is a Selective Placement Factor. 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.

This position requires the possession and maintenance of the following certifications:
  • FIREFIGHTER I and II - NFPA 1001 Standards
  • HAZARDOUS MATERIALS OPERATIONS RESPONDER - NFPA 472 Standards
  • DRIVER/OPERATOR - NFPA 1002 Standards
  • FIRE OFFICER 1 - NFPA 1021 certification within one year of employment as Lead Firefighter/Crew Chief (agency will provide)

Do you possess all the required certifications listed above (please submit a copy of each with your application package)?
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Provides technical and administrative supervision of fire fighters assigned. (limit characters)
4. Oversees his/her crew towards completion of all assigned duties. (limit characters)
5. Performs inspection and training activities and ensures the daily station and equipment inspection and maintenance are completed. (limit characters)
6. Assists in the daily vehicle and equipment check of all VA fire service emergency response vehicles. (limit characters)
7. Performs Basic Life Support (BLS) procedures, such as provide continuing care at the scene of the medical emergency or accident until received by a higher level of care, and performs noninvasive medical procedures. (limit characters)
8. Manages respiratory and cardiac emergencies to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bag-valve-mask resuscitation, or automatic external defibrillation (AED). (limit characters)
9. Surveys the incidents to identify the materials and containers involved, identify numbers and types of placards used, and verifies the presence and concentrations of hazardous materials on the scene. (limit characters)
10. Predicts the likely behavior of released materials and their containers when multiple materials are involved; estimates the size of the endangered area; and identifies institutions or groups requiring special evacuation assistance; e.g., nursing homes, hospitals, or prisons. (limit characters)
11. Develops an appropriate strategy for approaching the release site and containing the release. (limit characters)
12. Ensures that fire inspections are completed in all buildings and areas of the medical center. (limit characters)
13. Oversees the inspection of fire doors, panic hardware and self-closing devices, inspection of fire escapes and exits, inspection of all electrical equipment for safe operation and grounding, inspection of all first aid fire appliances, including extinguishers, standpipe hose, installed systems, inspection for the safe handling of compressed gases, inspection of the sprinkler systems in the medical center. (limit characters)
14. Oversees and performs preventative maintenance of firefighting apparatus equipment, etc., such as checking batteries, tires, gas, oil levels, siren, and lights, etc. Checks all firefighting equipment on the trucks as to condition and cleanliness. (limit characters)