Pipefitter

Summary The position of Pipefitter, modifies, maintains and repairs a variety of high, medium and low pressure piping systems. This position requires journeyman-level skill in the maintenance, repair, or installation of mechanical systems, including steam heat, chilled water, hot water heating, domestic water systems, fire sprinkler piping, medical gas systems for air, oxygen, or vacuum, and applications with large air handling equipment. Responsibilities DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Repairs: Plumbing systems, New and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems, Equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas, distribution systems, and water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers. Works from building plans, blueprints, and sketches, to plan and lay out the routing, placement, slant, slope, pitch, and proper operation of systems and equipment. Uses tools and equipment such as plumb bobs, water chlorine testing kit, pipe threading machine, closet augers, hydrostatic pumps, pro-press clamping device, and the sewer jetting machine. Install: Plumbing systems, Systems by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, Placing and cutting route openings, and placing hangers for proper level and slope. Determines and installs valves, traps, and unions needed for proper system operation. Installs equipment by completing the routing and placement of systems leading to the equipment, including seating, connecting, and testing the equipment. Modifies plumbing systems. Plans and lays out the needed routing, placement, slant, slope, and fall of systems. Plumber tests and makes needed adjustments to systems and equipment for proper operation, flow, drainage, and sanitary conditions. Maintains large centrifugal chilled water compressors, air-cooled chilled water units, and large air handling equipment (including centrifugal, reciprocating, geared, or rotary pump) and is skilled in working with complicated motors, controls, relays, special protection controls for overload or overheating, etc. Performs the overhaul, installation, maintenance, modification, and repair of various types of air conditioning equipment, which is characterized by moderate complexity of design, construction, and function. Items serviced at this level can be self-contained, functionally independent, or can be part of a facility-wide system consisting of many subsystems. Utilizes the energy management control system in the information and command modes to operate equipment, and when in override, for the ability to troubleshoot HVAC systems. Installs, modifies, repairs, and maintains high temperature water and high-pressure piping systems such as hydraulic, nitrogen, oxygen, and steam, Installs and repairs such items as steam generators, vacuum, air and water pumps, radiators, automatic and manual valves and flash and expansion tanks Piping systems include water, natural gas, high/medium/low pressure steam and condensate, medical gases, compressed air, heating and cooling, sewer, fire protection and Legionella prevention systems Plans out system routes, places and cuts route openings, installs regulating devices, and places hangers for proper pitch and elevation. Determines and installs risers, laterals, branch lines, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators in the combination needed to support the pressures of the systems and ensure the proper operation of the systems. Reads and interprets blueprints, layout sketches, manufacturers' literature, and specifications for sizing, estimating, installing, and repairing new or existing piping systems. Replaces sections of pipe, repairs steam traps and relief and control valves, Cuts, threads, and joins pipes by using various fittings, flanges, screwing, bolting, brazing, gluing, fusing, and soldering to include PVC, Fernco fittings, and no hub connections. Test systems and equipment for proper operation, circulation, flow, pressure, and leak-free joints. Traces and troubleshoots pipelines, systems, and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots. Performs safety and preventive maintenance inspections of systems and equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter / 13884-A Physical Requirements: The employee is required to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The employee works from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard to reach places. The employee handles, lifts, carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds. Occasionally, items may weigh more than 50 pounds. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation 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 Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measurement and Layout Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision 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. Education None. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. 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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.