Pipefitter

About the role

This position installs and maintains high-temperature water and high­ pressure piping systems, utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings/equipment, and insulating materials/properties. This position also installs or replaces old insulation removed in conjunction with pipefitting or plumbing repair, installation or maintenance work.

This position is located at the new James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center in Tulsa.

What you will do

• Utilizes thorough knowledge of high-temperature water and high pressure piping systems, utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings and equipment, and insulating materials/properties, the position is established to install, maintain and repair high-temperature water and high-pressure piping systems; install, modify and repair utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings, and equipment and install or replace old insulation removed in conjunction with pipefitting or plumbing repair, installation or maintenance work.
• Installs/modifies and repairs new and existing high-temperature water and high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as nitrogen, oxygen, steam heating, steam generation, hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum/circulating pumps, and radiators.
• Installs/modifies, and repairs systems by setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation, determining, and installing risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators in combinations needed to support system pressures and to ensure proper system operations.
• Installs/modify, and repairs new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems, water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers.
• Installs/modify, and repairs systems by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper level and slope, and determining and installing valves, traps, and unions needed for proper system operation.
• Installs equipment by completing routing and placement of systems leading to equipment, seating, hooking up, and testing equipment.
• Ability to plan and lay out various plumbing system equipment installations and modifications, such as gas and water line routings, openings, slants; location / arrangement of water closets, sinks, and fire sprinkler equipment.
• Work is subject to spot check for compliance with instructions or safety checks; supervisor checks overall work for adequacy, accuracy, appearance, and compliance with accepted trade standards, practices, and regulatory code requirements.
• Plans and lays out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and various operation piping systems and equipment.
• Ability to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints; use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles.
• Is responsible for use and safekeeping of tools, materials, and equipment.
• Skill in use of pipefitting and plumbing tools and equipment, such as sliding squares, measuring tapes, divides, chalk lines, plumb bobs, templates, star drills, grinders, flanges, hand and power tools, pipe wrenches, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers, hydrostatic pumps, lead pots, and stapling machines.
• Skill in pipefitting and plumbing trade methods and techniques, such as joint and valve sizes; aligning pipes, valves, fittings, and joints; installing braces and supports; install combinations involving couplings, unions, and joints; and wipe or pour lead joints and seating equipment.
• The work is subject to spot check for compliance with instructions or safety checks; supervisor checks overall work for adequacy, accuracy, appearance, and compliance with accepted trade standards, practices, and regulatory code requirements.
• The work requires the Incumbent to plan and lay out work; plan work sequences; selects tools and materials or equipment; determine work methods and techniques and accomplishes assigned task in accordance with accepted trade practices.
• Independently accomplishes work assignments by interpreting information and determining nature/extent of maintenance, installation, or repair required.
• Ability to measure insulation dimensions for pipes and valves; cut, form, and install insulating materials on items with bends, slopes, angles, cylindrical surfaces, or curves; fill cracks or smooth rough spots with mud and trowel and apply the cloth to cover insulation to complete installations.
• Work Schedule: 12noon-8:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD14253A Physical Requirements: Work requires light to moderately heavy physical effort (10-60 lbs.) while lifting, transporting, carrying, pulling, moving, handling, or setting up ladders, scaffolding, materials, tools, and equipment.
• Repairs, installations, and maintenance work require kneeling, crouching, stooping, bending, climbing, walking, and standing for long periods.
• Works from ladders, scaffolds, platforms, ground level, or hard to reach places requiring climbing ladders, reaching over and under while in cramped, awkward, tiring, or uncomfortable positions.
• Uses hand, eye, leg, and body coordination while performing assigned task.

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 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 Valid Drivers License 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

How you will be evaluated

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

• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript 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.

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.