Pipefitter

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Installs modifies repairs and maintains high temperature water and high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as hydraulic nitrogen oxygen stem-heating and steam-generating systems.
• Installs and repairs such items such as steam generators vacuum medical gas air water and condensate pumps radiators automatic and manual valves and flash and expansion tanks.
• Adjusts maintains and installs all types of plumbing and steam fixtures and their allied equipment.
• Performance of various new installations of plumbing and steam equipment from laying out ordering materials roughing-in to finished job.
• Repairs maintains adjusts installs and improves all allied equipment for plumbing and heating such as meters back flow devices compressors steam traps grease traps strainers reducing valves heating coils etc.
• Performs safety and preventative maintenance inspections of systems and equipment to include all valves and controls.
• Performs preventive maintenance with basic activity.
• Fit and install various new hospital and laboratory equipment including plumbing fixtures such as drinking fountains lavatories urinals stools sinks etc.
• When not assigned to pipefitting may be assigned to the stations steam production plant to perform duties as assigned by the Maintenance and Operations Supervisor with duties that entail the operation of the steam plant maintenance and repair of the many different types of equipment such as pumps D. A. Heaters surge tanks boilers and combustion control systems.
• Also expect to be called upon on very short notice to change shift(s) as to perform the above relieve duties and when operating the steam plant shift but is subject to call back during non-duty hours to perform pipefitting repair as well.
• All others duties assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD13118A
Physical Requirements: Makes repairs and installations from ladders scaffolding and platforms and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places. Stands stoops bends kneels climbs and works in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Frequently handles lifts carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Occasionally lifts and carry items that weigh over 23 kilograms (50 pounds).
Working Conditions: Work is done inside and outside and is usually dirty dusty and greasy. Sometimes required to make installations and repairs in areas where bad smelling fumes are present. Frequently exposed to the possibility of uncomfortable heat conditions live steam and hot pipes. Frequently exposed to the possibility of strains cuts scrapes bruises burns and infections.
Occasional Travel: Off-Campus Travel Travel to satellite CBOC sites to include campuses and clinics within the ECHCS metro area is occasionally required. Incumbent is required to maintain up to date training that enables the use of government vehicles within the ECHCS vehicle fleet.

• 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 drivers 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.
• A current valid state drivers license is required. 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 your drivers license for verification of required endorsements.

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 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.

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:


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.