Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current permanent employees of the Martinsburg VAMC, Department of Veterans Affairs, and those who are CTAP eligible.

Major Duties:

• Firefighter duties
  • Performs firefighting and rescue operations using proper extinguishing solutions and methods of decontamination. Wears protective gear to prevent accidents, illness, or injury due to encounters with such agents as poisonous gases, radioactive materials, and/or hazardous biological products.
  • Performs crash/rescue (i.e. helicopters) and firefighting in environments wherein the existence of flammables and explosives mechanisms and systems, performs standby duty, and remains current on all developments which could impact upon the difficulty of rescue and fighting fires through participation in pre-fire planning and fire prevention exercises.
  • Fights fires and rescues personnel under circumstances of a very difficult and dangerous nature. Performs duties in small and restricted areas making movement while wearing bulky, protective equipment difficult. Performs firefighting complicated by the proximity of fuel, electrical cables, and miscellaneous high-pressure lines as well as the existence of such items as paint or volatile cleaning liquids.
  • Drive and operate ALS and BLS ambulances, firefighting apparatus of significant complexity, e.g., pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, and rescue trucks. The firefighter drives a vehicle to the scene of the fire following a predetermined route or selects an alternate route when necessary; positions the vehicle, considering factors such as wind direction, water sources, hazards from falling structures.
• Paramedic duties
  • Performs emergency procedures. Provides thorough physical examinations to assess the condition of patients and plans treatment methods. Administers electrocardiology methodology to include EKGs, defibrillation (manual), and use of transcutaneous external pacemakers.
  • Engages in advance/invasive airway proceedings such as needle or surgical cricothyrotomy, endotracheal intubation, nasal intubation, pleural decompression; and CPAP applications.
  • Assesses pediatric (including infant and neonatal) patient conditions through detailed, systematic physicals and provides high levels of treatment to include resuscitation. Performs childbirth in emergency situations and takes care of newborns.
  • Follows standing orders or those of a physician in administering medicines/solutions both orally and intravenously. Performs computations relative to medication doses for patients, records drugs given and documents the effects of the drugs on patients and provides pertinent information to medical providers both enroute and upon arrival at medical facility.
• Intermediate Life Support Duties
  • In addition to Basic Life Support duties, the incumbent provides an enhanced level of life support during emergency proceedings. Conducts through systematic evaluative processes to assess patient conditions.
  • Based upon appropriate certification and departmental protocols, performs and provides EKG interpretations. performs high level airway procedures using an esophageal or dual lumen airway device; performs oral intubation via laryngoscopy. Ensures the proper placement of emergency advanced airway devices.
  • Performs intravenous fluid start-ups and administers selected medications as protocols dictate.
• Hazardous Materials Operations and Technician Duties
  • In the presence of hazardous materials or in cases wherein release is possible, employee provides initial responses to the site in an effort to protect life, property, and the environment from the ill effects that hazardous material inflict.
  • Performs hazard risk assessments in the performance of initial incident evaluations. Attempts to learn the kind of materials, whether or not said materials have been released, and assesses the location involved.
  • Obtains hazard and response information from such sources as safety data sheets and hazardous material placards.

Work Schedule: 24 hour rotating shifts; 72 hour weeks
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Paramedic)/PD1703652
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Maximum Entry Age Requirement
(a)For initial appointments, applicants can not have reached their 37th birthday by the day of appointment.
(b)If you have passed the designated entry age limit noted, but have previously served 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 firefighter service by the time the Federal firefighter reaches the age of 57. Prior service in covered positions and creditable towards retirement may be subtracted from the applicant's age to determine if the Federal firefighter meets the maximum entry age.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/29/2025.

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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-8. 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.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-8 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade; performing rescue operations, detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards; operating fire communications equipment; controlling hazardous materials incidents; developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention; performing paramedic duties such as patient assessment, EKG, invasive procedures, airway procedures; and administering medications.

In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, this position requires the following certifications:

• National Registry and/or West Virginia state Paramedic certification
• Valid state motor vehicle operator's license with the ability to operate in all 50 states
• IFSAC/Pro Board Driver Operator Pumper Certification or EVOC and Pumps
• Firefighter I and Firefighter II Certification
• Fire Inspector I
• Fire Inspector II (must be obtained within 24 months after you begin employment)
• Hazardous Materials Technician Level Certification
• Confined Space Rescue Operation Certification

Preferred Certifications Upon Hire:

• Rope Rescue Certification
• Trench Rescue Certification
• Aerial Apparatus Certification
• Fire Inspector Level II

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Communications
• Emergency Care
• Fire Management
• First Response
• 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.

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.

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.

Complexity: Incumbent must possess the ability to deal with diverse, complex issues during a workday. During fire suppression activities, incumbent must make on-the-spot decisions that could seriously affect the favorable outcome of the incident or jeopardize co-worker's safety and health. In some cases, the incumbent may be required to quickly gather detailed information, arrange it in a logical order and select a course of action.

Medical Requirements:
Eyes: Corrected distant vision must be at least 20/30 in one eye and 20/70 in the other eye. Uncorrected distant vision is required only if it is likely that corrective lenses may be lost or broken. If so, uncorrected distant vision must be at least 20/100 binocular. Ability to distinguish basic colors is required. Applicants must be free from acute or chronic eye disease.
Ears: using an audiometer for measurement, there should be no loss of 30 or more decibels in the unaided worst ear at the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz levels.
Nose, Mouth, and Throat: Applicants must be free from conditions that interfere with distinct speech, free breathing, or with the use of breathing apparatuses or protective equipment.
Lungs: Applicants must be free from any pulmonary or chest wall disease or condition that results in not being able to perform the duties of the positions.
Heart and Blood Vessels: The following conditions may be cause for rejection: organic heart disease, valvular or vascular diseases, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, recurrent syncope, or history of myocardial infarction.
Abdomen: Acute or chronic disease or inflammation of the abdominal viscera, hernia, or significant enlargement of the liver or spleen that interferes with the performance of the duties of the position will be cause for rejection.
Spine, Pelvic, Sacroiliac and Lumbar-Sacral Joints: Applicants must have free movement of spine and pelvic joints.
Neurological System: Degenerative neurological disease or disorder that results in documented evidence of neurological impairment that renders the applicant unable to perform the duties of the position will be cause for rejection. A history of serious mental disease may be disqualifying.
Extremities: Individuals cannot have anomalies in the number, form, proportion, and movement of the extremities that interfere with function. This includes non-united fractures; nonreducible dislocations; united fractures and reduced dislocations with incomplete restoration of function; amputation of arm, hand, leg, or foot; loss of any skeletal portion of the thumb of either hand; loss of more than the two distal phalanges of the ring or little fingers or either hand; any lose joints; pes cavus, weak foot, or clubfoot; flatfoot with symptoms unresponsive to orthotics; loss or deformity of great toe or any two toes on the same foot; torn cartilage or loose foreign bodies within the knee joint; instability of the knee joint; or inadequately healed surgical procedure.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee

AND

• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Next steps