Plumber

About the role

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid Atlantic Healthcare Network (VISN 6), Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC), in the Plumbing section of Facilities Management Service (FMS).

What you will do

• Will perform work in the installation, maintenance, and repair of all piping systems such as high pressure steam, nitrous oxide, oxygen gas, steam generating equipment, hot/cold water, air, drain and vent systems.
• Works with water treatment equipment to run analysis samples for adjustments.
• The work involves installing, modifying, and repairing 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.
• Incumbent will work with plumbing fixtures, radiators, water heaters, garbage disposals, valves, gauges, regulators, compressors, and pumps.
• Performs maintenance and repair on all plumbing segments (which include but are not necessarily limited to domestic hot and cold water, sewer, high, low, and medium pressure steam, medical gas system piping, roof drainage, storm water drainage, de-ionized water piping, and chemical feed system piping, serving building service equipment, medical, dietetic, canteen, laundry, engineering and all other areas of the campus property equipment/items.
• Installs new lines or makes modifications to existing plumbing when distribution systems are altered, changed, or added onto.
• Will install various items of new and/or replacement equipment and fixtures.
• Installs insulation material on pipes and ensures that piping systems are protected by installing proper dielectric corrosion protection, or other corrosion protection systems.
• Will do mechanical repairs or overhauls to pumps and garbage disposal units, valves, medical gas system components such as terminal discharge connection points, backflow preventers, meters, and other flow governance components.
• Will be required to operate a government vehicle to transport equipment to and from a work site.
• Valid US State Driver's License.
• Required to occasionally operate government vehicles to transport tools and workers to and from a work site to include CBOC's.
• Work Schedule: Monday -Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm.
• Must have the flexibility to work outside the normal tour of duty which may include weekends and holidays.
• Position Description Title/PD#: Plumber/PD022930 Physical Requirements.
• Duties are active involving such as, but not limited to, climbing, pulling, kneeling, bending, crawling, walking, and standing for prolonged periods.
• Incumbent frequently lifts and carries heavy materials such as pipe, plumbing equipment, iron bars and materials up to 50lbs.
• Operates manual/power tools, hammers, saws, chisels, wrenches, cutters, screwdrivers, drills, pliers, etc. Frequently works in cramped quarters, crawl spaces, tunnels and manholes.
• Work may be done under unpleasant, disagreeable, or hazardous conditions and will often occur outdoors in any temperature.
• On most jobs, the incumbent will come in contact with dust, mud or grease, and the soiling of clothing and skin surfaces is normal.
• In certain locations, he/she will be exposed to excessive noise and vibration in addition to soiling agents; will occasionally be exposed to gases and fumes from cutting and welding torches; will also be exposed to chemical sewer cleaners, drainpipe cleaners, and acid used in cleaning equipment, and work on slippery or unstable surfaces.
• Must crawl in confined spaces, which will have insects, leaks, and aging piping structures; climb ladders and use scaffolding.
• Confined space equipment must be worn as well as all other required OSHA protective and safety equipment.
• Significant physical effort and dexterity is required in many cases.

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 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 Other 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.