Pipefitter

Summary

The incumbent is employed as a journeyman pipefitter at the two-division GM&S VA Medical Center, Lexington, Ky. Normally, incumbent is assigned to one division, but is subject to work at the other division at any given time if the need arises. The purpose of the pipe fitter position is to maintain all piping systems, sanitary sewers, sewage pump stations reservoirs, etc.

Duties

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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30th, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 15th, 2025, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st and 15th of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES

• Maintain and install all types of fixtures and piping systems throughout this installation.
• Responsible for the piping and installation of the following types of equipment: Heating system, sterilizers, dietetic, toilet fixtures, showers, mixing valves, dental and therapy equipment, laboratory, etc. The type of piping systems include hot and cold water, high, medium, and low pressure steam gas, air oxygen, and sanitary sewers.
• Maintenance work includes servicing and repairing the above stated equipment so that it stays in good operating condition. This includes seals in pumps, trap elements, washers, packing, greasing, replacement of worn or missing parts, adjusting and installing automatic air, water, and steam valves, regulators, etc. Incumbent also unstop all drain lines.
• Responsible for submitting to supervisor a list of parts and materials that are required, and to keep a check on stock levels. Incumbent also assists supervisor in surveying new jobs and making recommendation as to the method of installation and material needed.
• Performs preventative maintenance inspections, and follow-up work as required by current performance standards. Incumbent must follow computerized schedules and outlines inspection points to be covered. Also, does minor maintenance and repair while inspecting, and reports to supervisor any additional work that need to be done.
• Assist employed of allied trades(plumbers, steamfitters, A/C mechanics, electricians, and general mechanics) whenever their workload demands assistance, and incumbent's workload permits accomplishment of extra work in additional to normal duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD05106A

Physical Requirements: The incumbent, as a pipefitter, is required to work in extremely cold and hot, humid areas and cramped positions for long periods of time. There are times when incumbent will also be called upon to install large size steam water lines which are heavy and extremely hard to handle, and which will impose a physical demand upon the individual.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.

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.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive experience with attaching devices and equipment to pipe
• Pipe maintenance on various equipment
• Analyzing pipe malfunctions then troubleshooting and repairing
• Pipe system pressures and flow rate testing
• Working with various pipe types, sizes, and lengths
• Pipefitting and drain cleaning
• Pipefitting projects
• Pipefitting safety compliance
• Pipe-joint connections
• Pipe training and certification

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:

• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Plumbing and Pipefitting
• Technical Problem Solving
• 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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 https://www.opm.gov/.

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.

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.

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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.

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