Supervisory Firefighter; Life Support - Deputy Fire Chief

Position: Supervisory Firefighter (Basic Life Support) - Deputy Fire Chief
This position is located in the Facilities Management Service at VA Black Hills Health Care System - Hot Springs VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, SD. The Supervisor Firefighter (Basic Life Support)'s primary duty is to serve as a Deputy Fire Chief and provide fire prevention, protection, suppression, and safety for all medical center patients, employees, visitors, structures, and facilities.

* THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION
* The Supervisor Firefighter (Basic Life Support) - Deputy Fire Chief provides leadership and operational oversight for fire protection, emergency medical services (Basic Life Support), hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, vehicle and elevator extrication, and other emergency services at the VA Black Hills Health Care System (VHABHHCS). Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

* Coordinating all emergency responses across both sites, maintaining command during incidents, and deploying specialized equipment like the Rescue Truck and Haz-Mat Trailer.

* Maintaining readiness for all responses and assuming full command in the absence of the Fire Chief.

* Overseeing daily fire safety operations and conducting quarterly ward, station, and interim drills to ensure preparedness.

* Scheduling and delivering fire/safety training for staff, tenants, and patients, including Hospital Decontamination Team instruction, while reviewing internal controls.

* Assisting in developing, implementing, and enforcing departmental policies, SOPs, and organizational initiatives to improve fire and EMS operations.

* Ensuring compliance with VHA Directive 7718, NFPA, TJC, OSHA, and VA standards, reporting unresolved issues to the Fire Chief.

* Supporting EMS program coordination, supervising operations, and implementing protocols and procedures.

* Ensuring medical supplies and equipment are fully stocked, serviceable, and promptly replaced when damaged or depleted.

* Supervising GS-09 Supervisory Firefighters and their teams, evaluating performance, approving step increases, and recommending awards or disciplinary actions.

* Providing leadership, mentorship, and counseling to staff, addressing conduct issues, and communicating feedback to the Fire Chief.

* Developing and managing monthly schedules, ensuring equitable duty assignments, mandatory coverage, and adapting staffing for emergencies.

* Approving leave, overtime, and shift trades while tracking timekeeping and annual leave usage.

* Ensuring firefighting and EMS equipment remains operational through maintenance, replacement, and supply management.

* Coordinating procurement and replacement of damaged or depleted equipment and supplies to maintain readiness.

* Preparing and maintaining reports on fire protection, prevention, suppression activities, inspections, and regulatory compliance.

* Documenting incidents including dollar-loss events, mutual aid, hazardous materials, patient searches, and code violations.

* Coordinating emergency response, patient safety, and procedural matters with internal departments and external agencies.

* Maintaining professional relationships with unions, neighboring fire departments, and VA officials, representing the department when the Fire Chief is unavailable

Work Schedule:

Monday to Friday; 07:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. with one 24-hour shift

Recruitment & Relocation

Incentives:

Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI):
Not Approved