Summary This Pipefitter position is located in the Engineering Service at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL and installs, modifies and repairs new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment. Responsibilities Duties include: This position works as a Journeyman Pipefitter and maintains, repairs, installs, improves, diagnose/trouble shoots, operates and tests a vast complex of medical center piping systems, associated equipment and devices. Some of the systems include high pressure steam regulations, distribution and condensate return, high pressure domestic water distribution, sanitary sewer and chemical waste, fire protection sprinkler, medical gas and vacuum distribution, natural gas and industrial air, pure water, heating cooling and heat exchange and others. Some associate equipment and devices include steam exchange generators flash and expansion tanks, circulating pumps, air compressors, unit heaters, radiators, mixing valves toilets, flush valves, sinks, tubs, showers, faucets, back checks, vacuum breakers, solenoids and others. Some operating equipment includes steam and ETO gas sterilizes, hopper sterilizes, stills, reverse osmosis and deionized water generators, dietetic dish and pot washing machines, disposers, film processors, and other medical and industrial operating equipment. The pipefitter works from verbal instruction, work orders, sketches, blueprints and building plan to lie out and perform above work. Some detail in these tasks include equipment and piping placement, routing, cutting openings, setting hangers/supports, pitch, elevation, system tie in/joining, expansion, pressure regulation, flow control and insulation. Work involves making safety and preventive maintenance inspections of utility systems and equipment in accordance with VA regulations and National Codes. Routine inspections are conducted for leaks, proper water distribution, condensate heating, cooling drain pan, throughout the medical center and will assist system operators with repairs and improvements. This involves reading and interpreting blueprints and manufacturer's' specifications for installing and repairing equipment. Responds to all fire and disaster alarms and is subject to call-in for job related emergencies and will assist with stock and inventory of job-related materials, long with ancillary duties such as snow removal as needed. Welding repairs and fabrication requiring the use of oxygen, acetylene, arc welding, and pipe welding; inspecting, adjusting, cleaning, repairing, the following: plumbing fixtures and systems, steam operated equipment, heating and water systems, kitchen and laundry equipment, air compressors, medical compressed air systems, vacuum systems, oxygen systems and natural gas distribution systems. Cuts, threads, fits, weld, brazes, and assembles piping for high pressure steam systems. Install pilot valves, convectors, steam traps strainers, and replace flexitallic gaskets. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD12280A 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. 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. 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: 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. 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.
