Firefighter (Basic Life Support)
About the role
These positions are located within the Fire Department in the Fire Service at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System in Castle Point and Montrose, NY. The Firefighter (Basic Life Support) works to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered by fire, and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards.
Responsibilities
- Performs specialized rescues, hazardous materials spill response, and serves as a driver/operator of pumpers, ambulances, and special service vehicles
- Performs fire protection inspector duties, including inspecting and testing fire protection equipment
- Training personnel in fire protection and prevention
- Operate fire communications equipment
- Advise on improvements to structures for better fire prevention
- Plans, directs, or carries out fire protection and prevention programs and operations
- Operate and use fire extinguishing equipment carried on the apparatus such as foam and dry chemical extinguishing agents
- Follows protocols in providing basic life support
- Performs emergency medical procedures that are noninvasive
- Provides BLS transport of patients for medical appointments and emergency treatment as indicated to the appropriate medical facility
- Provides assessment of patient to physician or nurse who relies on these observations to provide additional treatment
- Performs duties as a member of the Medical Center Hazardous Materials Response Team (HMRT)
- Responds to the presence or potential releases of hazardous materials for stopping or controlling the release using specialized chemical protective clothing and control equipment
- Performs all other duties as assigned by the Supervisory Firefighter or Fire Chief
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (11/06/2026).
GS-6 Grade Level
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. Such duties may include:
- Controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade
- Rescue operations
- Detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards
- Operation of fire communications equipment
- Controlling hazardous materials incidents
- 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.
GS-7 Grade Level
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). Such duties may include:
- Controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade
- Rescue operations
- Detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards
- Operation of fire communications equipment
- Controlling hazardous materials incidents
- 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.
Selective Placement Factors (Required Certifications)
Copies of current and valid certifications must be submitted with your application to receive credit. NFPA = National Fire Protection Association.
GS-6 Grade Level Certifications- Current and valid National Firefighter II, in accordance with NFPA 1001
- Current and valid National or NYS Apparatus Operator – Pumper
- Current and valid National or NYS Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Basic Certification
- Current and valid National or NYS Hazardous Materials Operations Level Certification, in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472
- National Incident Management System – ICS-200
- Current and valid National Firefighter II Certification
- Current and valid National or NYS Apparatus Operator – Pump
- National Hazardous Materials Operations Level
- Current and valid National Fire Inspector I Certification
- Current and valid National Registry or New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Basic Certification
- Current and valid National Incident Management System – ICS 200 Level Certification
Within 24 months of employment, you will be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications for the GS-7 grade level:
- National Fire Inspector II Certification
- National Apparatus Operator-Pumper Certification
- National or New York State Confined Space Rescue Technician Certification
Requirements
- English Language Proficiency: 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 to perform the duties of this position.
- 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 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 age 57.
- Motor Vehicle Operation – Driver's License: Applicants must possess and maintain a current and valid State motor vehicle operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind (must be possessed at application). Applicants may be required to pass a practical road test in the Class A Triple Combination Pumper and be capable of operating all firefighting equipment including that on board the fire truck. Applicants may be required to provide information on their driving record and demonstrate the ability to operate