Summary This position is located at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS). This position functions as a Journeyman Pipefitter within the Pipe Shop, Facilities Engineering Service, accomplishing trades and labor work. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Troubleshoots, repairs and diagnoses problems with facility steam traps and heating control devices. Lays out and installs various kinds of pipe sections, fittings, risers, and flexible branches at the proper level and incline, and the hanging or laying of assemblies into position. Estimates necessary materials such as pipe or fittings and assemblies needed. Identifies and marks locations through which pipes will pass or be installed, works from mechanical drawings, specifications or manufacturing data and improvises/makes modifications to systems in compliance with all safety codes and regulations. Reports observed unsafe conditions to immediate supervisor or appropriate official. Participates in the asbestos abatement process to include small scale removal (glove bag) or repair of asbestos containing material (in performance of daily work only). Performs preventative maintenance (PM) on all @types of steam fixtures, piping systems, back flow preventors, following manufacturers and/or VA recommendations. Records all Preventive Maintenance and repair work accomplished on steam traps. Cleans, lubricates, adjusts, changes component parts, writes necessary work orders and makes minor repairs as needed. Completes scheduled inspections and documents equipment deficiencies in properly prescribed methods. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD10159A Physical Requirements: Employee may be exposed to toxic fumes, gases, and airborne particles in the performance of duties. This exposure may adversely affect pulmonary Function. The wearing of a protective respirator that will reduce the possibility of pulmonary damage is mandatory when working in areas where toxic exposure is a possibility. OSHA requirements mandate that employees required to use a respirator NOT have a beard, and pass a baseline pulmonary function test prior to use of a respirator. Work involves frequent standing, stooping, climbing, bending, and kneeling, and occasionally working in cramped awkward positions. Required to lift and handle objects weighing 50 pounds; often lifts and moves heavier objects with the assistance of other workers, lifting devices and aids such as movable tables or jacks. Work involves making repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms and other hard to reach places. Work is done inside and outside. It is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. May be required to make repairs and installations outside in adverse weather conditions. Occasionally make repairs in areas where unpleasant odors are present. Subject to cuts, bruises, scrapes, sprains, and strains from handling tools and installing equipment. Subject to burns from hot components and solder. Required to wear safety clothing and equipment appropriate to the tasks being performed. Promotion Potential: The full performance level for this position is WG-10. Duty Station: John Cochran Division; however, the duty station may be changed to one of multiple locations within the VA St. Louis Health Care System based on the needs of the facility. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measurement and Layout Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Physical Requirements: Employee may be exposed to toxic fumes, gases, and airborne particles in the performance of duties. This exposure may adversely affect pulmonary Function. The wearing of a protective respirator that will reduce the possibility of pulmonary damage is mandatory when working in areas where toxic exposure is a possibility. OSHA requirements mandate that employees required to use a respirator NOT have a beard, and pass a baseline pulmonary function test prior to use of a respirator. Work involves frequent standing, stooping, climbing, bending, and kneeling, and occasionally working in cramped awkward positions. Required to lift and handle objects weighing 50 pounds; often lifts and moves heavier objects with the assistance of other workers, lifting devices and aids such as movable tables or jacks. Work involves making repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms and other hard to reach places. Work is done inside and outside. It is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. May be required to make repairs and installations outside in adverse weather conditions. Occasionally make repairs in areas where unpleasant odors are present. Subject to cuts, bruises, scrapes, sprains, and strains from handling tools and installing equipment. Subject to burns from hot components and solder. Required to wear safety clothing and equipment appropriate to the tasks being performed. 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.
