Pipefitter Job in San Francisco, CA

Vacancy No. CARZ-12746297-25-DC Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $39.12 to $45.57 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/11/2025 Close Date 6/18/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
San Francisco, CA


Summary

This position is located at the San Francisco VA Medical Center within the Operations Facilities section, Facilities Engineering Service and is under the direct supervision of the Operations Section Supervisor and will be working on campus wide Facilities Maintenance and Operations requirements, providing support for construction section, and providing project support to the Engineering Service Projects Section.

Duties

The major responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

  • Performing plumbing duties that involve the assembly of piping and fixtures, removing and installing various types of pipe installation i.e., asbestos, and fiberglass, etc.
  • Bolting flanged sections and solders, silver brazes or caulks connections to make them watertight, attaching piping to walls or ceilings with brackets or hangers, sometimes having to fabricate the hangers.
  • Responsible for installation of plumbing fixtures and all piping will be inspected and tested for leaks, workmanship and code applications using approved methods, opening clogged drains with mechanical snakes, vacuuming plungers and pulsating water bags, replacing washers, diaphragms, stems, etc., in valves and traps and repair or replaces all damaged fixtures.
  • Ability to work from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan to and layout the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and operation of various piping systems and equipment.
  • General work involves installations, modifications to maintenance of and repairs to all non-electrical utility systems throughout the Medical Center. These systems include but are not limited to steam, distribution, condensate return, medical vacuum and air, natural gas, oxygen, nitrogen, storm systems, sanitary systems, lawn sprinklers, etc.
  • Must be able to fabricate assemble and perform new installations of plumbing and mechanical fixtures such as toilets, sinks, grease and plaster traps, fire sprinkler systems, hot water heating systems, condensate moving equipment, heat exchanges, water mains and sewer systems.
  • Performing other related duties as assigned by Engineering Supervisors.
Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday. 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
This position requires occasional shift work coverage from Monday- Sunday between 6:00 pm - 6:00 am as needed.
This position requires occasional travel to outer VA-Community Based Outpatient Clinics, other VA sites, and training sites nationwide.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • 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.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications


(SCREEN-OUT): Must have the ability to perform the duties of the work of a Pipefitter (WG-10) without more than normal supervision. Related Journeyman skill level experience includes: safely and independently performing pipefitter work assignments; reading and following blueprints, building plans, schematics and specifications; estimating accurately the time and materials required to install, repair, or replace equipment or components; checking, troubleshooting, repairing, replacing all types of low to high pressure piping and steam systems; troubleshoots, repairs, and diagnoses problems with facility steam and heating control devices; properly selecting and using tools, parts and materials to accomplish a task quickly, neatly and safely; and using hand and power tools of the trade, i.e., pipe threader, sewer augers, acetylene torch, reciprocation saws, corded and battery-powered drills, pipe cutters, pipe wrench, hammer drills, and other common hand tools of the trade.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms and where equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places. This requires him to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The Construction Crew Pipefitter Worker frequently, handles, lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that up to 50 pounds, occasionally may be required to lift and carry items that weigh over 50 pounds.

Incumbent works on top of building, in hot dusty or drafty spaces and in cramped areas with low overhead, occasionally is exposed to extreme temperature variation, rotating machinery, toxic chemicals, electric current and hot piping equipment and objectionable doors. Incumbent works in areas on equipment requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggle, facemasks respirators (negative pressure or power air purifying types, etc.,) and acid-resistant hoods to prevent burns and other injuries. Occasionally works in areas and on equipment that requires the removal of asbestos and may result in exposure to airborne asbestos fibers (PPE will be provided and required to be worn). The work is performed both inside and outside. The Construction Crew Pipefitter Worker may be required to make repairs and installation in bad weather, in work areas that are noisy, dirty, dusty, and greasy; on scaffolding or cranes at heights of 30 or more feet; manholes of 30 feet deep, and occasionally exposed to the possibility of injury from falling, electrical shock, burns, and rotary devices such as electrical motors. Incumbents are frequently exposed to the possibility of cuts and bruises and occasionally work in areas requiring the use of respirators.

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
  • 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


IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

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.

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.

Review our 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

  • Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
  • Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

IMPORTANT: Please ensure your resume include up-to-date contact information (phone number(s), email address(s), etc.)

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation, i.e., Letter of Intent, related to your active-duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must refer to the SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" and submit required documents as applicable and stated on the form. Documentation is mandatory to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/18/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12746297.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities (i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities), and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. For more information on how to apply using this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator within the office, contact the facility Human Resources Department at (415) 221-4810.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Agency contact information

VHA National Recruitment Center
Address
San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications per Category Rating procedures to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and 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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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