FF/EMT - Montrose/Caste Point VA

[DRD 0]

Announcement Number: DEU-583-4-225

Open Period: 4/12/2004 to 4/16/2004

NOTE: Please see How to Apply Section for Complete Submission Requirements.

Position Title & Grade:

Firefighter

GS-081-6

Salary:

GS- 6: $ 32,013 - $41,621 Per Annum

Hiring Agency:

Veterans Health Administration, VA Medical Center

Position Location:

Facility Management Service, Montrose and Castle Point Campuses

(This position may require travel between the Montrose and Castle Point Campuses

as needed.)

Who May Apply: Any U.S. citizen. THE MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE FOR THE POSITION OF

FIREFIGHTER IS (37.) APPLICANTS MUST NOT HAVE REACHED THEIR 37TH BIRTHDAY PRIOR

TO APPOINTMENT.

Relocation Expenses Paid: No

Type of Appointment:

Career or Career-conditional (permanent)

Number of Positions: 4

Tour of Duty:

Work is full time; Rotating shifts (56 hours per week).

Drug Testing

All non-VA applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in any position may

be subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with the VA.

Federal Benefits:

Health Insurance: The Federal Employee Health Benefits Program has many plans to

choose from at reasonable costs that can be paid from pre-tax income. There are

no waiting periods, no required medical exam, and no age/physical condition

restrictions. In addition, Medicare - Part A is available to you at no cost at

age 65.

Life Insurance: The Federal Employee Group Life Insurance offers Group term life

insurance - Basic life insurance and three options (Standard, Additional, and

Family).

Leave and Holidays: The leave program offers exceptional time off benefits

including 13 days sick leave each year; 13, 20, or 26 days of vacation leave each

year, depending on years of service; and 10 days paid holiday each year.

Retirement: New Federal career-conditional or career employees are covered by the

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Under this retirement system, the

FERS portion of the benefits is based on amount of service and salary history. In

addition, your coverage includes the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a

multiple investment options similar to a 401(k) plan, as well as Social Security

which offers credits earned while working with the Government along with

retirement benefits, disability protection, and survivor protection.

All federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments

made by Direct Deposit.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position involves shift work of 56 hours per week on a rotating basis in

order to perform work to control and extinguish fires, rescue persons endangered

by fire, and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards. It also covers fire

service positions that control hazardous materials incidents; training personnel

in fire protection and prevention/ operate fire communications equipment; and

advise on improvements to structures for better fire protection. Major duties of

the position include but not limited to:

-Extinguishes fires and performs fire prevention inspections of industrial shops,

warehouses, administrative facilities, laboratories, living quarters, and outside

storage areas.

-Familiar with and uses the recognized standards covering fire prevention

techniques and procedures; agency and installation manuals, rules and

regulations, and local, State, and Federal fire prevention ordinances and

building codes, fire codes, trade references, and pre-fire plans to determine

that adequate measures and plans are available in preventing, reducing, and

eliminating the potential for fire or explosion.

-Adapts standard fire prevention practices and procedures to local requirements.

-Inspects and corrects minor deficiencies in a variety of fixed fire protection

systems, many of which are complex and/or designed for the specific operations

and hazardous conditions.

-Provides non-professional medical care as ambulance/emergency medical

technician.

-Performs standardized emergency medical procedures for critical, seriously ill,

and acutely ill patients.

-Provides assessment of patient to physician or nurse who relies on these

observations to provide additional treatment.

-Conducts fire prevention training of building and hospital grounds to hospital

personnel, upper management and firefights, which includes: scheduling and

conducting all training sessions; instructing all new employees at orientation

class in fire safety measures, and assisting the Safety Office training all

supervisory personnel.

-Performs as a member of a team in controlling spills that may be of hazardous

and often times unknown substance.

-Uses a variety of special protective gear in situations where poisonous gases,

radioactive materials or hazardous biological products are involved.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

To apply for this position, you must have the following qualifications:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION/LICENSURE:

All applicants for the position of Firefighter in VHA, to qualify for

appointment, must:

a. Candidates must possess a valid EMT certification in the State of New York.

(Must be submitted with your application.)

b. Candidates must possess and maintain a valid State Motor Vehicle operator's

license. (Must be submitted with your application.)

c. Complete CSC Form 665, Ability to Drive Safely (August 1969 Revision). THIS

FORM MAY BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEBSITE AT and MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR

APPLICATON: http://www.dod.state.hi.us/hro/HRO%20Forms...0Form%20665.doc

EXPERIENCE

GS-6: Candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the

GS-5 level in Federal Service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience that has provided the applicant

with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the

duties of a Firefighter. Examples of qualifying specialized experience are: (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.

This position involves emergency medical treatment and consideration may be

limited to those applicants with certification as emergency medical technicians

and those individuals with appropriate experience, training, or certification

dealing with emergency response to hazardous substance releases.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION

For those positions requiring employees to drive motorized firefighting

equipment, candidates must possess and maintain a valid State motor vehicle

operator's license of the appropriate classification or kind. Applicants also may

be required to pass a practical road test and provide information on their

driving record. See 5 CFR 930 and the 'General Policies and Instructions' section

of this Manual for additional requirements for motor vehicle operators.

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.

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. The 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.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for positions that have duties of an arduous or hazardous nature must

meet the medical standards described below. Since individual positions may not

include all such duties, a physical condition or impairment may be disqualifying

for employment only if there is a direct relationship between the condition and

the nature of the duties of the specific position to be filled.

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.)

Any serious deviation from sound medical condition may be grounds for rejection

of an applicant regardless of whether the condition is named below. Remediable

defects or curable diseases will not exclude a person from consideration, but

proof that such defects have been remedied or the disease cured must be received

during the life of the eligible register before persons otherwise qualified may

be considered for appointment under civil service rules.

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 position.

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 Lumbo-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; non-reducible 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 of 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.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE

Title 5 U.S.C. 3307 authorizes the head of any agency to establish a maximum

entry age for the original appointment of individuals to the position of

firefighter.

Prior to appointment, applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday unless

they have previous service in a Federal Civilian Law Enforcement position covered

by special civil service retirement provisions, including early or mandatory

retirement. The maximum entry age limit was established under the age

discrimination prohibitions contained in Section 15 of the Age Discrimination in

Employment Act. Maximum age limitations may not be waived for any applicant

including those with veterans’ preference.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER

CHARACTERISTICS (KSAO’S): Applicants who meet the qualification requirements

listed in this announcement will be rated on their answers to the KSAOs

(knowledges, skills, abilities, and other characteristics) ranking factors listed

in this announcement. You must address the KSAOs separately from the application

form or resume and must show examples or a description of how your past work

experience (paid and non-paid work) and/or educational background has provided

you with the appropriate job-related criteria as listed in each KSAO. General

paragraphs of duties listed in your resume/OF612 are not acceptable as

substitutions for the KSAOs. If you do not address the KSAO quality rating

factors as listed in this announcement, you may be determined ineligible or you

may receive a minimally qualified rating score of 70. These factors also will

determine whether you will place among the top ranked candidates to be referred

for an interview. There is no special form to complete your KSAO’s. These can be

completed on plain, white paper. List the KSAO at the top of the page and follow

with paragraph summary of how your knowledge and skills relate to each.

1. Knowledge of firefighting strategies, and tactics, and fire behavior.

2. Ability to follow instructions, make decisions, and perform tasks as a member

of a team under any conditions.

3. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with people of varying levels of

understanding.

4. Ability to conduct fire prevention inspections.

BASIS FOR RATING: Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements

established by the Office of Personnel Management for Miscellaneous Occupations

and the Individual Occupational Requirements for Fire Protection and Prevention

Series will be evaluated and ranked on their possession of relevant experience

(paid and non-paid), education, and training, as reflected in their application

and the supplemental information provided that addresses the KSAOs. There is no

written test. You will be rated on the quality of your experience and education

relevant to the duties of this position. Part time experience will be prorated in

calculating the amount of qualifying experience.

CTAP/ICTAP ELIGIBILITY

Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career

Transitions Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition

Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive

consideration for special priority selection. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be

considered well qualified if a rating score of 80 points or above is determined.

Federal employees seeing CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet

the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This

includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance

Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade

level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you

are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

How to Apply for this position:

Candidates must provide all information requested in this job announcement and

submit the following items:

1. A comprehensive resume or completed Optional Application for Federal

Employment(OF-612), including country of citizenship; (the OF-612 may be

downloaded from www.opm.gov/forms website). NOTE: If you are submitting a resume

instead of an Optional Application for Federal Employment, OF-612, please provide

the Vacancy Announcement number DEU-583-4-225, your Social Security Number, the

beginning and ending employment dates for current and/or former paid and/or

non-paid work experiences (mm/yy to mm/yy), the number of hours worked per week,

your salary information, a description of your duties, and whether you are a

United States Citizen. This information is required to determine eligibility,

qualifications, and legal requirements for Federal employment, and without this

information, your application cannot be rated;

2. Copy of your EMT Certification valid in the State of New York and a copy of

your valid State Drivers License. (Must be submitted with your application.)

3. Complete CSC Form 665, Ability to Drive Safely (August 1969 Revision). THIS

FORM MAY BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEBSITE AT and MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR

APPLICATON: http://www.dod.state.hi.us/hro/HRO%20Forms...0Form%20665.doc

4. Your Responses to each of the KSAO’s (See Rating Factors listed in the Vacancy

Announcement Section entitled “Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other

Characteristics). Include a separate sheet(s) on plain, white paper (no special

form required) clearly describing, in a paragraph narrative format, your

experience and skills that relate to each knowledge, skills, abilities, and other

characteristics;

5. Completed OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment (January 1, 2001

Revision). This form may be downloaded from the opm website at www.opm.gov/forms

6. To Claim Veterans Preference. A copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4), military

discharge certificate showing your dates of service and character of discharge

(e.g., Honorable), if applying for Veteran’s Preference. Your military discharge,

DD214, can now be requested on-line by accessing: http://vetrecs.archives.gov;

please request the “Undeleted” copy showing your type of discharge (NOTE:

requesting your DD214 on-line will take approximately 4-6 weeks to receive).

7. If you are claiming 10-Point Veterans’ preference, in addition to submitting

the DD-214, you must also submit the Application for 10- Point Veterans’

Preference (SF-15) form, AND a Veterans Affairs letter dated within last twelve

months indicating percentage of disability;

8. Copies of your eligibility documentation for consideration under

CTAP or ICTAP, if applicable.

NOTE:

Application materials will not be returned.

DO NOT submit your application package in a notebook or binder with extraneous

information. Applicants should provide sufficient information (as required in the

vacancy announcement) to enable Human Resources to properly evaluate your

application against the OPM and VA Qualification Standards, and governing

regulations.

Applicants will be issued a Notice of Results regarding the status of this

vacancy.

Eligibility established under this announcement will be for this

announcement only.

The full performance level of this position is GS-6.

Application Forms:

The OF-612 Optional Application Form, the SF-15 (requesting 10-Point veterans

preference), and the OF 306 Declaration of Federal Employment forms are available

at www.opm.gov/forms.

The CSC Form 665, Ability to Drive Safely (August 1969 Revision). THIS FORM MAY

BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE WEBSITE AT and MUST BE SUBMITED WITH YOUR APPLICATON:

http://www.dod.state.hi.us/hro/HRO%20Forms...0Form%20665.doc

You may use a resume in lieu of the OF-612 application form.

The KSAOs should be listed on separate sheets of plain white paper attached to

your application form or resume and listing your name, Social Security Number,

DEU announcement number, and a separate paragraph for each rating factor that

clearly describes your knowledge, skills and abilities for each KSA rating

factor.

Your military discharge, DD214, can now be requested on-line by accessing:

http://vetrecs.archives.gov; please request the “Undeleted” copy showing your

type if discharge (NOTE: requesting your DD214 on-line will take approximately

4-6 weeks to receive).

Receipt of applications: Completed application packages must be received by close

of business on Friday, April 16, 2004 the closing date of this announcement, in

order to receive consideration. Use ONE of the two methods listed below to send

your application package:

1) Mail To: (No Federal Government Envelopes; No Saturday or Sunday Deliveries

Accepted)

VA Medical Center

Indianapolis Delegated Examining Unit,

Human Resources Management Service (05DEU)

ATTN: DEU-583-4-225

1481 West 10th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46202

OR:

2) E-MAIL To: INDDEU@med.va.gov (No Federal Government E-Mail Accepted)

PLEASE NOTE:

Late or incomplete application packages will not be considered.

In accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1719, use of postage-paid Federal Government

envelopes for filing job applications is a violation of Federal law and

regulation. Applications submitted in postage paid FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENVELOPES

will not be accepted. Applications submitted by FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FACSIMILE OR

E-MAIL will not be accepted.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides reasonable accommodations to

applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part

of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency at 317-554-1732.

The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case

basis.

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER – SELECTION

WILL BE MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN,

POLITICAL AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, PHYSICAL HANDICAP, AGE, MEMBERSHIP OR

NON-MEMBERSHIP IN AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION, PERSONAL FAVORITISM OR OTHER

NON-MERIT FACTORS.

Send Mail to:

VA Medical Center (05DEU)

1481 W 10th St

Indianapolis, IN 46202

For questions about this job:

Rafael Gonzalez

Phone: 317 554 1732

USAJOBS Control Number: 220785

EEO Policy Statement | Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement | Veterans

[Guest ocff75]

Do you need NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II??????? [-o<

[Guest ocff75]

Anyone heard anything about hiring???????????? :-k

[BFD1054 1,552]

ocff75...I was told that they have hired a couple new guys and have filled the positions. I was told this by a reliable source, but i will attempt to confirm that 100%. But if i were looking for a career firefighting job, i wouldn't consider the Montrose VA too much. It has been all over the news that the Montrose VA will start to close certain buildings on thier campus. I believe they will eventually close the entire campus all together! Anyway, hope that info can help you in some way.

http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/050...vahospital.html

[RES20CUE 40]

Mike,

Your correct about not looking to make it a long career, but I loved working there, and wish it paid better, and it would be staying around.

It is a good "stepping stone" for you wanting to get started on the career side! There are quite a few of us around the county now working in other Dept's, that started at the VA.

The guys were the best! We had a load of fun, but always got the job done!

Unfortunitly, the pay and the possible closing is what drove me to transfer, but the "grass is not always greener on the other side!"

[BFD1054 1,552]

Ed, you are totally right, the VA is a great job and i am not knocking it at all, believe me. In fact, if i had my EMT certification, i would have applied myself. As you said, the pay is not all that great, but there is OT which can help your salary tremendously. On another note, money is not everything...well, maybe lol! Take for instance me, i have a very good paying job, but i must say that i am sure i'd be happier as a career fireman! So, money aside, guys gotta go for what they want and whats in their hearts! I too know alot of the guys from the VAFD, both current and ones who have since left. They are all a great bunch of guys and very, very knowledgable! I would love to work there, but unfortunately, it looks like the VA may not be around for too much longer :sad: And as you said, jobs like the VA are great stepping stones toward a firefighting career! There have been plenty of guys that have transferred from the VA to jobs all over the county such as Peekskill & Mamo Village, and even FDNY. But it is truly a shame that they are looking at the possibility of closing and i wish the guys at the VAFD the best! They are all highly trained in Fire and EMS, so i am sure if it comes down to it, they can all find other jobs real easily!

[RES20CUE 40]

Mike,

I wasn't trying to imply that you were knocking it, sorry if you took it that way. That I know of- Guys have transferred to FDNY; Peekskill; Mohegan; TOWN of Mamaroneck (VMFD is all volunteer); Haverhill, MA; Perry Point, MD; and Greenwich, CT. It's a great job, and a great "foot in the door".

[Guest ocff75]

BFD 1054,

Any news on hiring at the FDVA???????? :-k The Four Firefighter/EMT Jobs