Pipefitter - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration : Job Details

Summary This position is located within the Pipefitting Section of the Mechanical Maintenance Unit of the Engineering Service at the White City VA Medical Center, White City, Oregon. **Recruitment Incentive May be Available to Highly Qualified Candidates** Responsibilities Major Duties include but not limited to: Troubleshoots, repairs and installs equipment used by the Kitchen, Canteen and Medical Services and for heating at locations throughout the station. Typical items of equipment include dishwashers, steam cookers, steam and electrical hot water heaters, unit heaters, convection heaters, all types of pumps, steam generators, water tanks and heaters. Troubleshoots, repairs and installs various components of the steam, fire sprinklers, water and drainage/sewer systems. This involves repair and/or replacement of lines, valves, pressure regulators, pumps, traps, lagging, packing, gauges and heat exchangers. Maintains and installs a variety of plumbing fixtures including sinks, toilets, showers and tubs, and their components. Performs preventative maintenance on equipment and utility systems as scheduled. Properly performs operator maintenance on and stores such tools and equipment used by the pipefitters. These items include hand tools, pipe threaders, augers, drills, torches, welders, piping, valves, replacement parts, etc. Works with and guides the work of patients, temporary employee and occasionally apprentices. The incumbent will be called upon to assist in small scale asbestos abatement projects, in his trade, as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00am to 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD01197A Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized. Physical Requirements: Position requires manual dexterity, good physical condition and stamina. Incumbent should be able to lift or move objects weighing about fifty (50) pounds. Work requires climbing ladders, considerable crawling, walking, bending and stooping. Working Conditions: A. Work is performed indoors and outdoors, in where it is usually dirty, dusty and greasy; outside in bad weather and in areas where it is hot and noisy. B. Some of the work is performed in attics, service tunnels and under buildings where space is limited, requiring the incumbent to work in cramped positions. C. Work involves exposure to asbestos dust from old drywall, siding and pipe insulation. D. Adequate safety procedures, training and personal protective equipment are provided to make the work environment as safe as possible. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 ability to do the work of a Pipefitter without more than normal supervision. Related experience includes: Safely and independently performing pipefitter work assignments; reading and following blueprints and specifications; estimating accurately the time and materials required to install, repair, or replace equipment or components; properly selecting and using tools, parts and materials to accomplish a task quickly, neatly and safely; and using hand and power tools of the trade, i.e., grinders, pipe threading machines, oxygen/acetylene torches, hand tools, electric sewer augers, fans, pumps, welders, and other trade related tools and equipment. Preferred Experience: Ability to perform pipefitter/plumber work under little to no supervision. Skills and knowledge of a Journeyman Pipefitter/Plumber as required by a four (4) year or (5) year apprenticeship or its equivalent. Skills that require troubleshooting, repair, and installation of various components of the steam, fire sprinkler, waster, and drainage/sewer systems. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT): A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF(s) are ineligible for further consideration. The SPFs for this position are: Current, valid state-issued Driver's License. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) 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. Education There is no education substitution for this series/grade. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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 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.