Summary This position is located in the Plumbing Shop, Mechanical unit of the Engineering Service at the Lebanon VA Medical Center under the general supervision of the Mechanical Maintenance supervisor. The purpose of this position is to maintain, repair, install, modify piping, plumbing, utility, supply and disposal systems and equipment. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Performs comprehensive maintenance and repair, including preventive maintenance, installation and modification on a wide variety of piping and plumbing systems and equipment, which include: medical air, gas, and vacuum systems, potable hot water in excess of 120 degrees and potable cold water, process water, drain, waste, and vent, sanitary and storm sewer, and related tanks, fittings, valves, traps, mixing and pressure regulating apparatus, etc., for these systems. Performs layout, assembly, and repair of complex plumbing systems and equipment, including tapping lines, placing hangers, braces, and supports for proper pitch, slope, and elevation, and connecting and testing risers, reducers, standard plumbing fixtures and fittings, and other utilization equipment, etc., in proper combination. Test and sample the potable water system for temperature, PH, and treatment levels. Maintain, communicate, and document the results of the potable water system. Installs, modifies, and repairs new and existing utilities, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems, water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers. Repairs, installs, and modifies potable water systems to include working with the components for these systems, domestic hot water generating equipment, digital mixing valves, circulating pumps and other anti-scald devices. Repairs, installs, modifies vacuum, medical air, oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide systems along with related tanks, fittings, valves, mixing and pressure regulating apparatus, etc., for these systems. Works from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan and lay out the routing, placement, slant, slope, fall, and proper operation of systems and equipment. The incumbent installs, modifies, and repairs systems like those described above by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper level and slope, and determining and installing valves, traps, and unions needed for proper operation of systems. The plumbers also install equipment like that described above by completing the routing and placement of systems leading to the equipment, and seating, hooking up, and testing the equipment. Brings tools, equipment and materials appropriate to work assignments to and from work areas and shop and storage areas; keeps shop and work areas and equipment clean, secure and orderly; observes safe practices and safely and properly removes and disposes of waste, debris and excess materials. Performs other related duties as assigned and may be required to become familiar with some of the basic functions, procedures, methods and skills of some other related work and assist in these functions in the absence of other personnel, to the extent of the employee's competence and ability. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: Plumbing Worker/PD018110 Physical Requirements: The position demands continuous walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, pulling, and pushing. The work requires the occasional use of heavy powered cleaning equipment (e.g., wall washers, industrial @type buffers) weighing over 50 pounds. The duties necessitate considerable dexterity, hand, foot, and eye coordination, and concentration as well as visual acuity to see dirt, dust and debris. 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: Plumbing and Pipefitting Self-Management Technical Competence 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 No education requirement for this position. 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.
