Pipefitter

Summary This position is in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Chillicothe VA Medical Center. The position is in the Pipe Shop, Facilities Management Service (FMS) and works under the direct supervision of the Pipe Shop Supervisor. The primary purpose of the position involves pipefitting and plumbing duties for the repair and maintenance of building piping systems. Responsibilities Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Installs, maintains, modifies, and repairs new and existing high- and low-pressure steam, condensate piping systems, water steam and condensate distribution systems, plumbing systems, and equipment such as steam heating systems, steam generators, flash and expansion tanks, steam fired and electric domestic hot water heaters, steam traps, vacuum systems, circulating pumps, pipe insulation and pipe coatings, pipe hangers, and radiators. Performing miscellaneous welding repairs using electric arc welding, use of oxy-acetylene equipment for cutting metals, silver solder and braze welding. Works from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan and lay out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and operation of various piping systems, plumbing systems, and equipment. Occasionally operates emergency repair truck on station, as well as at CBOC's and clinics. Plan and lay out the installation, modification, and repair of various new and existing piping systems, plumbing systems, and equipment. Determines the placement and elevation, and installs steam generators, vacuum and condensate pumps and radiators. Installs, repairs, and maintains heat exchangers, flash and expansion tanks, and automatic and manual control valves. Interpret and apply building plans and blueprints and to use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles. Work Schedule: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; compressed tour available. Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD93668A Physical Requirements: Incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and in areas where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places. This requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, and climbing while working in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Frequently handles, lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weigh over 50 pounds. Work is done inside and outside, in attics and crawlspaces, steam tunnels and manholes. These areas may be dirty, dusty, greasy, wet, hot, or cold. May be required to make installations and repairs in areas where malodorous are present. Frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and infections. Incumbent may be required to work in areas that have asbestos containing materials and will, therefore, be required to use personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) including respirators and other equipment to prevent possible asbestos exposure. Incumbent will be responsible for completing respirator training, fit testing and training in the proper use and maintenance of general PPE. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination as an incidental driver. A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. (Please do not submit a copy of your license within your applicant package.) 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: Screen Out: Without more than normal supervision - Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair - Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc. Technical Practices - Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic). Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) - Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading). Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment - Ability to 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. 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 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 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.