Pipefitter
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Job Summary
This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Maintenance and Repair Section of Facilities Management Service (FMS). The primary duties of the position involve the installation maintenance and repair of high temperature water and high-pressure piping systems such as hydraulic nitrogen oxygen steam heating and steam-generating systems.
Major Duties
- Installs modifies repairs and maintains high temperature water and high pressure piping systems such as hydraulic nitrogen oxygen steam heating and steam generating systems. Installs and repairs such items as steam generators vacuum air water and condensate 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 irrigation and de-ionized water.
- Sets up system routes places and cuts route openings installs regulating devices and places hangers for proper pitch and elevation.
- Determines and installs risers flexible branches expansion joints pumps gauges and pressure regulators in the combination needed to support the pressures of the systems and that 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 connects pipes by means of union flanges and sweating.
- Fits pipe sections by screwing bolting brazing welding gluing fusing soldering and caulking connections by forcing oakum and molten lead into joints.
- Tests systems and equipment for proper operation circulation flow pressure and leak-free joints.
- Traces and troubleshoots pipe lines systems and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots.
- Performs safety and preventive maintenance inspections of systems and equipment. Installs troubleshoots repairs and modifies plumbing systems and fixtures.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45am - 4:30pm with ability to work weekends and holidays.
Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD07892A
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Preferred Experience: 5 plus yrs. Experience working in a Commercial / Industrial or Hospital setting Maintenance and Repair
Journeyman plumbing license
Med-Gas certification
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.
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants 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 OPMs Career Transition Resources website which can be found at 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 employees 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.
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.
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.
