Summary The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, VA Medical Center (VAMC) in the Engineering Department. The primary purpose of the position is to provide assistance to the journeyman pipefitter who is responsible for the repair and installation of plumbing and steam systems. Responsibilities Assists journeyman pipefitter and as a member of a crew performing incidental and preparatory work of the pipefitting and plumbing trade. Performs any or all of the following typical assignments in accordance with specific instructions. Measures, cuts and threads pipes using ruler, hacksaw, pipe cutters, and threading machines; assembles and tightens threaded pipe connections; bolt flanges; tightens water and steam valve bonnets and packing nuts. Ability to identify and use the tools and equipment of the trade, e.g., measuring tools, drills, pipe cutters, threading machines, etc. Ability to read, write and interpret oral and written instructions. Must possess a valid driver's license and must be able to obtain a government driver's license. Assists in repairing, replacing or installing potable water, steam and sewer lines; holds pipe during assembly; screws or bolts pipe hangers or support to walls, floor ceilings; bolts equipment into place; covers exposed sections of pipe with insulation; applies metal bands; cleans up work site after completion of work. Digs holes using hand shovel to expose underground pipe; uses electric or pneumatic jackhammers to break concrete; pumps water from manholes and trenches using electric or gas powered pumps to facilitate repairing broken pipes. Carries tools and materials to the worksite; removes debris from worksite. As required, assists in the servicing/repairing of plumbing and steam equipment. Employs tools of the trade incidental to all job assignments. Cleans tools, machines and equipment and keeps work and shop area clean and orderly. Observes safety precautions and works in a safe manner to prevent injury to self, other workmen and prevent property damage. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00 am -4:30 pm Location: Sepulveda/Los Angeles Ambulatory Care (LAACC), CA. Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter Helper/PD116570 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: A Relocation/Recruitment Incentive will not be offered. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Working Conditions: The incumbent is required to work inside, outside, on top of tall buildings, in drafty areas, and in cramped areas with low overheads. Incumbent is exposed to high temperatures while working in mechanical rooms where steam and hot water are present. Pipefitters are subject to cuts, and burns from working around steam lines and high temperature water. Requirements 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. 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 potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Follow Directions Handle Weights and Loads Reliability And Dependability Shop Aptitude Work as Member of Team 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 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. 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.
