Summary The position is located in the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center's Facilities Engineering Service, General Utilities Section, under the direct supervision of the Section's Maintenance Foreman. The Pipefitter is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and repair of the plumbing and steam systems throughout the entire facility. Responsibilities The Pipefitter is a key position in maintaining the safe, uninterrupted use of the plumbing and steam systems throughout the facility, which are very complex, potentially dangerous, and critically needed resources for the Medical Center. The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Installs, modifies, maintains, repairs, and performs preventative maintenance on a variety of high pressure piping to include, but not limited, to steam distribution and heating systems, oil/ natural gas, heat exchangers Installs pipe insulation, condensate collection tanks and pumps, hot water heating devices, circulating pumps, radiators, pressure reducing valves, strainers, fire suppression systems, backflow preventors, and steam traps Installs, modifies, maintains, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance on a variety of plumbing systems to include, but not limited to, domestic water systems, drainage waste and vent systems, water softeners, chemical feed pumps, chlorine systems, hot water return systems, well pumps, circulators, back flow devices, relief valves, shut off valves, metering devices, mixing valves, hot water heaters, plumbing fixtures, and faucets Reads and interprets engineering drawings, set up pipe routing, locate and cut openings through obstacles, place hangers at proper pitch and elevation, determine placement and elevation of condensate collection tanks, pressure reducing devices, risers, drip legs and controls valves. Uses a government vehicle to travel between the main campus and neighboring facilities. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, 7:30 am - 4:00pm. The incumbent may be required to work overtime and subject to after-hours call back in the event of emergencies or other events that affect the medical center's ability to operate. Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD542-00655A Physical Requirements: Incumbent is frequently subject to very uncomfortable and possibly dangerous conditions. They must be in satisfactory physical and mental condition and fit for duty at all times. The incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding and hydraulic platforms. They often work in portions of utility systems that are cramped, dirty, and hard-to-reach locations. The work may involve prolonged crouching and standing and frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in exhausting and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent frequently lifts or carries tools, equipment, ladders, scaffolding, parts and supplies up to 50 pounds. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift and carry items over 80 pounds. Working Conditions: The incumbent is subjected to such hazardous conditions as injury from power driven tools, falling from scaffolds and ladders, temperature extremes, noise, cramped spaces, and bad weather conditions. The incumbent is frequently exposed to the possibilities of cuts, bruises, scratches, broken bones, and burns. They are subject to asbestos exposure and chemicals which can cause burns or irritation to the skin. Some duties may require incumbent to wear protective equipment and clothing that is heavy and uncomfortable. 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 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. Must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license Must pass pre-employment physical examination As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measurement and Layout Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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 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.
