This position 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, 72-hour 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 and several outreach centers.Duties Include but not limited to:
Fire Suppression/First Responder 60%

Assists the Assistant Chief in the daily operations of the Fire Protection Section
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
Perform duties in the absence of the Assistant 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
Performs the duties of nozzleman, hoseman, hydrantman or fire apparatus driver/operator
Serves as overall incident commander, responsible for issuing orders and directing firefighters and Medical Center employees in the Assistant Chief and Fire Chief absences
Receives daily assignments and provides directions to the crew during station/equipment maintenance activities and while performing safety/fire protection systems inspections
Responsible for selecting, placing and raising ladders, ventilating the involved structure to release gas and control the fire
May function as the driver/operator and responsible for efficient and safe operation of fire and rescue apparatus

Emergency Medical Technician (Basic Life Support) 25%

Employs all sources of information to determine the nature of the person's illness or extent of injury.
Performs initial / 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.
Splints and immobilizes fractures and dislocations for transport. Utilizes various established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport as soon as possible.
Establishes communication with the receiving facility, providing patient information and estimated time of arrival.
Utilizes various established emergency medical techniques and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport
Assists Advanced Life Support (ALS) staff including Paramedics, Doctors, Nurses, etc.
Completes patient care documentation required to ensure medical requirements are met and accurately reported.
Uses and maintains emergency medical equipment such as backboards, suction devices, AED's, splints, oxygen delivery systems, stretchers, etc. Properly disposes of biohazard materials and replenishes medical and expendable supplies.

Fire Safety Inspector 10%

Performs fire safety inspections of the Medical Center on a quarterly basis to identify and eliminate actual or potential fire hazards.
Inspect fire extinguishers for proper type, placement and operating condition, and inspection of fire detection and suppression systems.
Performs fire safety inspections to identify and eliminate actual or potential fire hazards
Maintains all reports and computerized databases relating to fire safety and fire prevention inspections
Administers the fire protection systems inspection, testing and maintenance program for an assigned shift
Develops lesson plans, schedules, and conducts firefighter proficiency training classes and operational drills

Hazardous Materials Operations 5%

Performs as a team member in determining the materials/chemicals involved, and the degree of life hazard and potential environmental impact
Responds with the appropriate equipment to hazardous materials incidents in the surrounding communities.

Work Schedule: 48-hour shifts, 72-hour work week; 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 approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorizedTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/24/2026.

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-08 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.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT: 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 meet the requirements of this position.

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 as follows: Certification Requirements:

Firefighter II certification, in accordance with NFPA 1001
Operations Level Responders, in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472
Fire Apparatus Driver Operator certification, in accordance with NFPA 1002
Fire Officer I certification in accordance with NFPA 1021
Fire Inspector II certification, in accordance with NFPA 1031
Emergency Medical Technician certification in the state of Maryland or National Registry. (For the State of Maryland - Meet and maintain requirements per MIEMSS for EMT Basic)

Copies of certifications (IFSAC or Pro Board) MUST be submitted by the closing date of the announcement; failure to submit any required certifications will result in the non-referral of the applicant.

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 the 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.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following Minimum qualification:

Specialized Experience Requirements: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of GS 7 and experience that demonstrated the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. 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.

Driver's License Requirement; A Valid State motor vehicle operator's license is required. Applicant may be required to provide their license at the time of interview. 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.

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.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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.

Physical Requirements: Moderate to heavy physical effort is required when reaching, bending, climbing, turning, or moving hands, arms, and feet in the performance of firefighting duties. Incumbent is required to participate in a physical fitness program. Employees in positions involving firefighting duties or other duties involving arduous physical exertion may be subject to periodic (e.g., annual) medical examinations following appointment to determine fitness for continued performance of the duties of the position. (See 5 CFR 339.

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. 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.

Work Environment. Incumbent is required to work both inside and outside, frequently being exposed to adverse weather conditions and extreme heat while performing firefighting duties. Incumbent may be called upon to work in environments that are classified as immediately dangerous to life or health and, in some cases, may be required to work long hours under severe, stressful conditions.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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.There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

VA Maryland Health Care System

New Jobs

Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support)