Firefighter

Summary

This position is located in the Fire Department section of the Facilities Management Service. The purpose of this position is to provide twenty-four (24) hour fire suppression, protection. Position provides firefighting and driver operator, fire inspector and basic life support through EMT services to the VA Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS).

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Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

The Firefighter shall participate in all aspects of structural and wild land firefighting operations and rescue. The Firefighter participates in vehicle extrication, elevator and confined space rescue and is a hazardous materials first responder. On a rotating basis, serves as a driver of a wild land unit and structural driver operator.

The Firefighter shall be certified as a fire inspector and participate in proactive fire inspection, fire alarm maintenance and prevention programs. In the absence of Shift Captain, serves as lead of the firefighting crew. The Firefighter shall be certified as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT). The EMT conducts patient assessments, assesses severity of illness/injury and identifies life threatening problems. Determines/prioritizes appropriate medical treatment/procedures and need for additional assistance. EMTs shall perform patient triage, take and records patient's vital signs as needed. EMTs perform physical examinations and obtains patient history, assesses status of patient's neurological system, cardiovascular system, circulatory system, skeletal system, orthopedic system, motor and sensory skills, and level of consciousness. EMTs shall have knowledge and skills sufficient to provide and gather information on the human body structure, function, illnesses and diseases, and the treatment procedure supporting patient charting and goals for the assigned patient for the purpose of communicating with the patients and nursing/medical staff members.

• Provides fire protection at the hospital engaged in using various types of gases, oxygen, nitrogen, gasoline, diesel fuel and natural gas.
• Performs fire/rescue and firefighting duties at large hospital complex/ campus consisting of fuel tank farms with 30k gallon tanks, multi-story buildings housing non-ambulatory, nursing home and mental health patients; warehouses, residential housing and apartment complexes; State of South Dakota National Guard housing and armory.
• Fights fires in an installation environment, with multi-story buildings consisting of more than three stories presenting complex and hazardous firefighting situations equivalent to that described.
• Drive and operate firefighting apparatus of significant complexity; e.g. pumpers, aerial ladder trucks and wild land firefighting truck.
• 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, locating of other various hazards, overhead power lines.
• Assists in training other firefighters in the skills of driving and operating the equipment.
• Engages in specialized fire program missions such as hazardous materials containment and control. The firefighter performs as a hazardous material first responder:
• Conducts Fire Prevention Inspector Duties
• Assist in the maintenance of pre-fire plans, up to- date maps; drawings of all the fire related equipment; and information of out of- service fire hydrants, roads and alarm systems.
• As assigned the firefighter shall respond to non-fire related incidents.
• Assist the Shift Captain in Fire Department training, fire prevention programs, fire prevention educational services, and maintenance programs, and shall assist and participate in the Fire Department physical fitness programs.
• Performs minor maintenance and fire station housekeeping duties and will participate in ongoing training, drills, and building inspections as assigned.
• Participate in all Fire Department training, Medical Center fire drills, and building inspections assigned to the Fire Department and complete all forms and paperwork for documentation, some examples of fire department documents or forms
• The firefighter shall ensure all fire protection systems and equipment are inspected, tested, and maintained

Work Schedule: 72 hour work week (48 hours on - 48/72 hours off) on a rotating basis to include weekends and holidays. Employees are regularly required to work scheduled and no notice periods of overtime.

Additional Weekend Premium Pay: Weekend premium (25% of hourly rate) paid for service performed on an established tour of duty, any part of which is between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday.

Compressed/Flexible: Yes

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Firefighter / PD20902A, PD20901A, and PD20900A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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)
• VA Firefighters are 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)
• Training, education, and professional development programs in accordance with applicable NFPA standards will be provided as needed to support the minimum qualifications and certifications expected of VA fire department personnel
• Newly employed VA firefighters must obtain Fire Inspector II in accordance with NFPA 1031 within 24 months of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/06/2026.

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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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.

Selective Placement Factor: A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position for each grade level. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. To be eligible for employment as a VA Firefighter, applicants must have obtained the following certifications as required by VHA Directive 7718 dated June 19, 2020 prior to the closing of the announcement. You may qualify for the GS-05 based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically 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, applicants would have obtained this experience working in a fire department, and operating fire apparatus to extinguish fires OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completed a 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university with major study in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 2 years above high school with fields related in Fire Science, Fire Training, or other related fields of study.
• Selective Placement Factor:
  1. Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001.
  2. Certification as Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of NFPA 472.

You may qualify for the GS-06 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-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically 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, applicants would have obtained this experience working in a fire department, operating emergency vehicles to respond to fires, and operating fire apparatus to extinguish fires.
• Selective Placement Factor:
  1. Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001.
  2. Certification as Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of NFPA 472.
  3. Certification as driver/operator pumper in accordance with NFPA 1002.

You may qualify for the GS-07 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-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically 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, applicants would have obtained this experience using and maintaining care of emergency equipment; preparing appropriate and relevant patient care documentation and reports; performing initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination; and employing a variety of established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment.
• Selective Placement Factor:
  1. Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001.
  2. Certification as Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of NFPA 472.
  3. Certification as driver/operator pumper in accordance with NFPA 1002.
  4. Certification as National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT)

Maximum Entry Age: For initial appointments, applicants cannot have reached their 37th birthday by the day of appointment. Applicants who have passed the designated entry age limit, but have previously served in a covered position may be eligible, provided they meet all applicable qualifications for the position and will be able to complete a total of 20 years of covered and creditable Federal firefighter service by the time they reach the age of 57.

Requirements for Motor Vehicle Operation: 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. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.

Mechanical Equipment Operator Qualifications: This position requires the operation of specialized firefighting pumping equipment, mounted pressurized systems, dispensing devices, and/or rescue tools. Candidates 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.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

Qualifications Continued:

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: Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

The work requires, on a regular and recurring basis, considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing of multiple flights of stairs, running, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds, crouching or crawling in restrictive areas during fire and rescue activities. Fire protection equipment must be worn or carried; the wearing of this equipment significantly amplifies the physical strain experienced by the employee during physical exertion or during periods of hot weather. Incumbent is required to undergo an annual physical. Employees are regularly required to work scheduled and no notice periods of overtime.

Work Environment: The work is performed both in and out of doors, with exposure to the elements. The environment regularly involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stress that require a range of safety and other precautions (e.g., subject to possible fire conditions or similar situations where conditions cannot be controlled). Includes operations regularly performed in areas of extremely rough terrain with wide variations in n climatic conditions. The incumbent must maintain emotional control when conducting fire operations or basic lifesaving procedures. The incumbent must exercise patience and understanding when confronted by emotionally disturbed of physically challenged personnel, or injured patients. On a regular and recurring basis, employee is exposed to infection and contagious diseases, is required to wok in all types of weather and traffic conditions, and faces risks and discomforts at the scene of accidents, to include the possibility of noxious fumes, dangerous substance, cuts, bruises, etc.

For GS-05 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: 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:

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Firefighters will accrue leave in accordance to VA Handbook 5001. Firefighters earn annual leave at a rate (7, 11 or 14 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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