Summary
This position is in the Forest Products Laboratory located in Madison, WI. The employee will service and maintain all pipeline systems within the laboratory complex and extend those services to all-standard as well as experimental research equipment.
THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. See Additional Information section for more information.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Robert Ramos at robert.c.ramos@usda.gov.
Duties
- Install and operate high- and low-pressure piping systems, plumbing systems, and related equipment (such as steam heating, steam generators, radiators, etc.)
- Align pipes, valves, fittings, and joints for accurate match.
- Install and operate relief valves, check valves, pressure regulators, expansion joints and other pressure supporting and controlling devices to control pressure, flow, and circulation.
- Figure pressures and fixtures units within a system and ensure that piping, valves, fittings, and equipment are proper for the work.
- Relocate existing plumbing systems such as (water, sanitary, heating and drainage) and such plumbing fixtures such as toilets, wash bowls, showers, drinking fountains, RP valves sprinklers, radiators.
- Maintain and repair pipeline systems, RP valves and plumbing fixtures including searching for and correcting such troubles as vacuums or obstructions in lines, open or leaking valves, etc.
- Layout, calculate, and requisition the types and sizes of piping, fittings, regulating, or pressure reducing valves, pressure relief valves, check valves and accessories needed for new installations of systems and equipment.
- Use plumbing tools and equipment to cut, bend, thread, tape, and other operations necessary in working with PVC plastic, glass steel, stainless steel, brass copper, aluminum, tin, cast iron, lead as well as corrosion resistant alloy pipes.
- Interpret and apply building plans and blueprints to use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles.
- Hydrostatically tests, pressure vessels such as retort chambers, air receivers, pulping digesters, etc.
Trace and troubleshoot pipelines, systems, and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots.
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
- This is a Test Designated Position. You will be tested for illegal drugs prior to appointment and randomly thereafter. Appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results.
- Must be a licensed plumber in accordance with s. 145.06 Wis. Stats. and registered with the State of Wisconsin Department of Industry, and Human Relations, Safety and Buildings Division.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's Federal Wage System Qualifications Standards.
In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.
To qualify, there is no specific length of training or experience required; however, your resume must demonstrate enough experience to show your ability to perform the duties of a Pipefitter without more than normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make sure they are properly performed.
Applicants must show possession of the screen-out job element. Applicants who do not meet the following screen-out job element will not be evaluated further.
To qualify your resume must show that you have the ability to do the work of a Pipefitter without more than normal supervision (Screen-out Element). This includes all of the following: --Performing pipefitting tasks including installs, repairs, and makes alterations to high steam and low steam systems. --Making alterations to pressure pipeline systems used to convey steam, compressed air, vacuum, hot oil (500degrees Fahrenheit), bleaching agents and gases or liquids to and from machinery, experimental apparatus, chemical work benches and other equipment throughout a Laboratory includes the piping of oil and steam to hot presses; steam, water and acids or bases to pulp digesters; fuels from tanks to equipment or other tanks; and high- or low-pressure steam between boilers and heating, processing, and other equipment. --Installing, maintains, repairs, and tests autoclaves. --Testing backflow prevention reduced pressure zone valves, regulating or pressure reducing valves. --Hydrostatically tests, pressure vessels such as retort chambers, air receivers, pulping digesters, etc.
Screen-out: Must be a licensed plumber in accordance with s. 145.06 Wisconsin Statutes showing current registration with the State of Wisconsin Department of Industry and Human Relations; Safety & Buildings Division to conduct backflow performance tests and installation or replacement of RP valves.
Skill and Knowledge: Must be able to use shop mathematics to determine the internal pipe diameter required to pass the desired flow rate at the desired velocity for liquids, gases, steam, and vapors including the resistance factor. Must be able to lay out angles, arcs, circles, etc. to control expansion of piping when different heat is applied. Must have knowledge of how various laboratory service systems including high-pressure steam, are controlled and operated so that areas can be shut off and isolated while making repairs or modifications. Must be able to trace piping and plumbing systems either visually or by reading building plans and blueprints. Must be able to layout, calculate, and requisition the types and sizes of piping, fittings, regulating, or pressure reducing valves, pressure relief valves etc. Responsible for checking valves and accessories needed for new installations of systems and equipment. Must know how to perform the cutting, bending, threading, taping, and other operations necessary in working with PVC plastic, glass steel, stainless steel, brass copper, aluminum, tin, cast iron, lead; and corrosion resistant alloy pipes. Must be able to use a full range of pipefitting and plumbing tools and equipment. Applies a working knowledge of state and federal building codes to pipefitting and plumbing tasks.
Responsibility: Works under the supervision of the RFE Supervisor. Receives oral assignments or written work orders which may include building plans, blueprints, etc. from supervisor or work leader which vary in detail according to the complexity of the work to be done. Occasionally what is required must be visualized from a verbal description. Technical personnel when working on special projects or installations may provide additional details and information. Incumbent is expected to perform the work in accordance with standard pipefitting or plumbing practices. Installations, modifications, or repairs are completed with little or no checking during progress. Test operates the equipment (or arranged to have it test operated) and makes adjustments in piping systems until satisfactory performance has been achieved. The supervisor or work leader may review work upon completion to ensure that objectives and accepted trade standards have been met. Keeps a daily work and preventative maintenance log to be turned in weekly to work leader or supervisor.
Physical Effort: Requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and crawling. Requires working from ladders, scaffolds, and platforms to reach inaccessible areas. Work may be done in awkward and cramped positions such as when working in tunnels or pits.
Working Conditions: Work is done both indoors and outdoors. Subject to burns from hot water, chemicals, and steam while repairing leaks on high pressure steam piping; strains, cuts, and bruises while working with wrenches on heavy pipes; and abnormal heat, dirt, and dust while installing, repairing, and insulating underground steam line. The worker is subject to fumes and gases while working on laboratory drain lines and sanitary systems.
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; religious; 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.
Education
See QUALIFICATIONS section
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12362121
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the responsibilities section including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) supervisor's phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Please view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.
Read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. (MST), Monday - Friday. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be returned to Human Resources no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order for it to be entered into the system prior to the closing date.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, in USAJOBS click "Apply" and follow the instructions to attach your resume and required documents, complete the assessment questionnaire, and submit your application.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.
Next steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
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