Pipefitter

Summary

This position installs and maintains high-temperature water and high pressure piping systems, utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings/equipment, and insulating materials/properties.. This position also installs or replaces old insulation removed in conjunction with pipefitting or plumbing repair, installation or maintenance work. This position is located at the new James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center in Tulsa.

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Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to the following tasks:

• Utilizes thorough knowledge of high-temperature water and high pressure piping systems, utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings and equipment, and insulating materials/properties, the position is established to install, maintain and repair high-temperature water and high-pressure piping systems; install, modify and repair utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings, and equipment and install or replace old insulation removed in conjunction with pipefitting or plumbing repair, installation or maintenance work.
• Installs/modifies and repairs new and existing high-temperature water and high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as nitrogen, oxygen, steam heating, steam generation, hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum/circulating pumps, and radiators.
• Installs/modifies, and repairs systems by setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation, determining, and installing risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators in combinations needed to support system pressures and to ensure proper system operations.
• Installs/modify, and repairs new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems, water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers.
• Installs/modify, and repairs systems by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper level and slope, and determining and installing valves, traps, and unions needed for proper system operation. Installs equipment by completing routing and placement of systems leading to equipment, seating, hooking up, and testing equipment.
• Ability to plan and lay out various plumbing system equipment installations and modifications, such as gas and water line routings, openings, slants; location / arrangement of water closets, sinks, and fire sprinkler equipment.
• Work is subject to spot check for compliance with instructions or safety checks; supervisor checks overall work for adequacy, accuracy, appearance, and compliance with accepted trade standards, practices, and regulatory code requirements.
• Plans and lays out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and various operation piping systems and equipment.
• Ability to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints; use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles.
• Is responsible for use and safekeeping of tools, materials, and equipment.
• Skill in use of pipefitting and plumbing tools and equipment, such as sliding squares, measuring tapes, divides, chalk lines, plumb bobs, templates, star drills, grinders, flanges, hand and power tools, pipe wrenches, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers, hydrostatic pumps, lead pots, and stapling machines.
• Skill in pipefitting and plumbing trade methods and techniques, such as joint and valve sizes; aligning pipes, valves, fittings, and joints; installing braces and supports; install combinations involving couplings, unions, and joints; and wipe or pour lead joints and seating equipment.
• The work is subject to spot check for compliance with instructions or safety checks; supervisor checks overall work for adequacy, accuracy, appearance, and compliance with accepted trade standards, practices, and regulatory code requirements.
• The work requires the Incumbent to plan and lay out work; plan work sequences; selects tools and materials or equipment; determine work methods and techniques and accomplishes assigned task in accordance with accepted trade practices.
• Independently accomplishes work assignments by interpreting information and determining nature/extent of maintenance, installation, or repair required.
• Ability to measure insulation dimensions for pipes and valves; cut, form, and install insulating materials on items with bends, slopes, angles, cylindrical surfaces, or curves; fill cracks or smooth rough spots with mud and trowel and apply the cloth to cover insulation to complete installations.

Work Schedule: 12noon-8:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD14253A

Physical Requirements : Work requires light to moderately heavy physical effort (10-60 lbs.) while lifting, transporting, carrying, pulling, moving, handling, or setting up ladders, scaffolding, materials, tools, and equipment. Repairs, installations, and maintenance work require kneeling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, walking, and standing for long periods. Works from ladders, scaffolds, platforms, ground level, or hard to reach places requiring climbing ladders, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, or uncomfortable positions. Uses hand, eye, leg, and body coordination while performing assigned task.

Requirements

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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
• Valid Drivers License
• 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 eligbles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Measurement and Layout
• Technical Practices
• Troubleshooting
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

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.

Preferred Experience: Five years as a journeyman plumber.

Working Conditions: Works indoors and outdoors subject to extremes of weather. Exposed to dust, dirt, and grease, unpleasant odors from fumes, and wet or slippery surfaces. May be required to wear protective equipment or clothing. Some work may be performed in well lighted, heated, and ventilated offices and shops. Subject to potential abrasions, strains, scrapes, burns, infections, bruises, broken bones, cuts, or injury by slips or falls. The incumbent is exposed to hazards present in a normal hospital environment.

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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

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.