Pipefitter

About the role

This position is located at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. The position serves as the Pipefitter under the general supervisor of the Chief, Maintenance and Operation Section.

What you will do

• Figure pipe, joint, and valve sized needed to support pressures of systems.
• Set up and operate machine tools such as small lathes, milling machines, drill presses, and precision grinders to manufacture component parts or re-machine existing parts such as bushings, bearings, seals, couplings, and pistons.
• Install, modify, and repair new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, steam generation, and hydraulic systems, steam generators, water tanks, fire suppression loop, flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum, and circulating pumps, and radiators.
• Work from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan and layout the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and operation of various piping systems and equipment.
• Repair and keep in good working order outside water, sewer drainage and gas distribution systems (systems are composed of cast iron pipe with both mechanical and lead joints, copper, black steel, terra-cotta, and concrete pipe).
• Install, modify, and repair new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems and water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers.
• Align pipes, valves, fittings and joints for accurate match.
• Total Rewards Brochure: Pipefitter Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:00am-3:30pm; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
• Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD07359A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The pipefitters make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places.
• This requires the pipefitters to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions.
• The pipefitters frequently handle, lift, carry, and set up parts and equipment that weigh up to 23 kilograms(50 pounds).
• Occasionally, the pipefitters may lift and carry items that weigh over 23 kilograms (50 pounds).
• Pipefitters are able to perform work while wearing a respirator or other breathing apparatus.
• Working Conditions: The work is done inside and outside, and is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy.
• The pipefitters are sometimes required to make installations and repairs in areas where bad smelling fumes are present.
• There is frequent exposure to the possibility of uncomfortable heat conditions.
• The pipefitters are frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and infections.
• They are occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones and exposure to the hazardous materials.
• Position will be subject to the hazards normally encountered in the trades work.
• Position must be able to work during any emergency repair day or night, and work long hours until such job is accomplished or service to the medical center has been adequately restored.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

How you will be evaluated

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the order in which applicants are received.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents you must provide

• Job title, description of duties, beginning and end dates (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week.
• Documents Accepted: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Other (1) Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
• Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
• Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
• Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
• Applications are accepted online.
• Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

What to expect next

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department.

The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless.

With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

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.