Login

Firefighter (Bls Haz Mat Tech)

Veterans Health Administration | Butler, PA

Posted Date 5/15/2025
Description

This position is assigned to the Facility Management/Fire Department provision of fire protection and suppression services at the 88-acre VA Medical Center complex in Butler, PA. The firefighters will also routinely respond to calls for mutual aid in the surrounding area.

Certifications Required:

  • Firefighter II , BLS, CPR (all grades)
  • Hazardous Materials, Operations Level (grades 5/6/7)
  • Fire Apparatus Driver Operator-Pumper (grades 6/7)
  • Hazardous Materials Technician (grades 6/7)
Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (BLS Haz Mat Tech)/PD01165A
Work Schedule: Rotating 24 hour shifts, any day of the week, including holidays.

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-7. At the GS-4, GS-5, and GS-6 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-7. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

  • Performs initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination.
  • Manages respiratory and cardiac emergencies to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bag-valve-mask resuscitation, and automatic external defibrillation.
  • Assists the injured by applying knowledge and training for such purposes to use direct pressure and tourniquets to stop bleeding, check the airway for obstructions, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
  • or immobilize for safe transport.
  • Drives an ambulance under non-emergency and emergency conditions.
  • Manages respiratory and cardiac emergencies to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bag-valve-mask ventilations, and using an automatic external defibrillation (AED).
  • Assists patients in taking emergency medications for certain complaints under the direction of standing orders or of a Physician.
  • Employs hazard and risk assessment techniques to complete incident analysis.
  • Assists in the developing of strategy to mitigate hazardous release.
  • Operates fire attack lines and applying fire streams for fire control and extinguishment.
  • Establishes water supply connections to hydrants, sprinkler systems, standpipes, and fire apparatus.
  • Loads, unloads, and advances fire hoses.
  • Makes forcible entry into locked and concealed areas, i.e., prying open doors, removing windows, etc.
  • Places and climbs ground ladders with equipment for fire control, ventilation, rescue, or other fireground work.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned.
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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.To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/30/2025.

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:

** Copies of certifications must be submitted at the time of application.
  • Firefighter II Certification from the National Pro Board or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). (required at grades 4,5,6,7)
  • Hazardous Materials Operations Certification from the National Pro Board or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). (required at grades 5,6,7)
  • State or national registry Emergency Medical Technician certification (required at grades 5,6,7)
  • Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator-Pumper Certification from the from the National Pro Board or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). (required at grades 6,7)
  • Hazardous Materials Technician Certification from the National Pro Board or International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). (required at grades 6,7)
  • Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) Certification (required at grades 4,5,6,7)
  • Must possess and maintain current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification (required at grades 4,5,6,7)
To qualify at the GS-4 you must meet one of the following requirements:

Experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-3) in the federal service that has given me the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter. 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.
-OR-Education: Successfully completed a 2-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, or other related fields of study. NOTE: Transcript(s) Required
-OR-Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience as described above to meet the total requirements for this position. The education portion must include courses in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study in an accredited college or university.

To qualify for this position at the GS-5 level, you must meet one of the following:

Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter - Basic Life Support/Hazardous Materials Technician. 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.
-OR-Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study is qualifying for GS-5. NOTE: Transcript(s) Required
-OR-Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the first 2 years or associate's degree) and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the GS-5. The education portion must include courses in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study in an accredited college or university.

To qualify for this position at the GS-6 level: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter - Basic Life Support/Hazardous Materials Technician. 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. These assignments would have been performed of a more limited scope and with less independence than the full performance level, and be performed under supervision, consulting with the supervisor when problems are encountered; however, the degree of supervisory controls would be less than at the GS-5 grade level.

To qualify for this position at the GS-7 level:

You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Firefighter - Basic Life Support/Hazardous Materials Technician. 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. At this level, assignments would have been performed independently, with little or no supervision, only consulting with the supervisor when unusual problems are encountered.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Emergency Care
  • Fire Management
  • Hazardous Materials


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.

Medical and Physical Requirements: Prior to employment and annually thereafter, all firefighters must be certified by a qualified physician as meeting: (a) Medical and physical requirements for performing their assigned duties; (b) Requirements of NFPA 1582; (c) Requirements of NFPA 1583; and, (d) Requirements of NFPA 1500, Chapter 10. Employee works in a variety of environments to include high intensity situations, such as; extreme heat and smoke environments. Employee is required to wear protective ensemble to include self-contained breathing apparatus.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.

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/.

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/.
Salary37,271.00 - 67,155.00 Annual

Share this job