Pipefitter

Summary

The work of this position involves installing, modifying and repairing new and existing utility, supply and disposal systems, high pressure piping, steam heating, steam generation, flash and expansion tanks, condensate pumps, condensate lines, oxygen and air systems, potable water booster pumps, underground storage reservoirs, and elevated water storage tanks, sewage disposal, various drainage systems, water, oil, gas distribution systems, and fire protection systems and related equipment.

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Duties

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Duties:

• Interprets verbal as well as written instructions.
• Reads building utility blueprints in order to identify components of a system.
• Plan and lay out work using blueprints, specifications, drawings, and work orders.
• Installs and repairs items on the above systems and equipment such as valves, fittings, traps, fixtures, drains, etc.
• Demonstrates common knowledge on lockout tag out procedures and various operating systems such as: steam & electrical equipment.
• Places the equipment at the proper level and points in the system, and joining, sealing and testing systems and equipment for proper pressure, leak-free joints and operation.
• Establishes phasing sequences for installation and ensuring that necessary construction projects are completed and equipment installation is coordinated with minimal disruption of essential clinical services.
• Installs, modifies, repairs, and replaces building plumbing systems; locates piping behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings; measures, cuts, threads, and tiles pipe; and connects equipment to existing systems using shop mathematics and routing principles.
• Installs, modifies and repairs systems and fiberglass HVAC piping, by setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, tapping main lines under pressure, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation and determining and installing such things as risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, thermometers, pressure regulators, valves, strainers, traps, and unions needed for proper operation of these systems.
• Determines the methods and materials to be used.
• Makes out material and parts request for jobs and stock items.
• Applies knowledge of steam heating systems and performs estimation and measurement calculations using fractions, decimals, linear and angular measurements, and basic mathematical principles.
• Troubleshoots, repairs, and diagnoses problems with facility steam traps and heating control
  devices.
• Runs supply lines of gas, air or water with proper connections, controls, valves, waste lines, etc; replacing worn or unserviceable components, servicing valves, purging tanks, opening clogged lines, maintaining free-flowing waste systems, proper regulation of
  gas flame stoves and heaters.
• Lays out and installs various kinds of pipe sections, fittings, risers, and flexible branches at the proper level and incline, and the hanging or laying of assemblies into position.
• Addresses scheduled service and general plumbing unscheduled servicing needs.
• Installs, modifies and repairs systems and fiberglass HVAC piping, by setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, tapping main lines under pressure, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation and determining and installing such things as risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, thermometers, pressure regulators, valves, strainers, traps, and unions needed for proper operation of these systems.

Work Schedule:: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the Agency)

Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD06851A

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• 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)
• Driver's License: A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. 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.

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 or trial 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, 08/12/2026.

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.

Physical Requirements : Makes repairs and installs from ladders, scaffolding, under buildings, dark places, manholes and above ceilings and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places. This requires the employee to stand, stoop, bend, knell, climb and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Frequently handles, lifts, carries and set up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds or more.

Working Conditions: The work is performed inside and outside and is subject to be dirty, dusty and greasy. Sometimes required to make repairs and installations in bad, smelly places, outside in cold and hot weather. Frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns and infections. Works with high, medium and low pressure steam, hot water, contaminated sewage and potential electrical hazards.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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.

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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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.