Job 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).

Job Description

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: Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001. 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: Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001. Certification as Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of NFPA 472. 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: Certification as Firefighter II in accordance with NFPA 1001. Certification as Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responders in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of NFPA 472. Certification as driver/operator pumper in accordance with NFPA 1002. 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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.