Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Duties include but are not limited to the following tasks:

• Utilizes thorough knowledge of high-temperature water and high pressure piping systems, utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings and equipment, and insulating materials/properties, the position is established to install, maintain and repair high-temperature water and high-pressure piping systems; install, modify and repair utility supply and disposal systems, fixtures, fittings, and equipment and install or replace old insulation removed in conjunction with pipefitting or plumbing repair, installation or maintenance work.
• Installs/modifies and repairs new and existing high-temperature water and high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as nitrogen, oxygen, steam heating, steam generation, hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum/circulating pumps, and radiators.
• Installs/modifies, and repairs systems by setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation, determining, and installing risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators in combinations needed to support system pressures and to ensure proper system operations.
• Installs/modify, and repairs new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems, water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers.
• Installs/modify, and repairs systems 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 system operation. Installs equipment by completing routing and placement of systems leading to equipment, seating, hooking up, and testing equipment.
• Ability to plan and lay out various plumbing system equipment installations and modifications, such as gas and water line routings, openings, slants; location / arrangement of water closets, sinks, and fire sprinkler equipment.
• Work is subject to spot check for compliance with instructions or safety checks; supervisor checks overall work for adequacy, accuracy, appearance, and compliance with accepted trade standards, practices, and regulatory code requirements.
• Plans and lays out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and various operation piping systems and equipment.
• Ability to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints; use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles.
• Is responsible for use and safekeeping of tools, materials, and equipment.
• Skill in use of pipefitting and plumbing tools and equipment, such as sliding squares, measuring tapes, divides, chalk lines, plumb bobs, templates, star drills, grinders, flanges, hand and power tools, pipe wrenches, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers, hydrostatic pumps, lead pots, and stapling machines.
• Skill in pipefitting and plumbing trade methods and techniques, such as joint and valve sizes; aligning pipes, valves, fittings, and joints; installing braces and supports; install combinations involving couplings, unions, and joints; and wipe or pour lead joints and seating equipment.
• The work is subject to spot check for compliance with instructions or safety checks; supervisor checks overall work for adequacy, accuracy, appearance, and compliance with accepted trade standards, practices, and regulatory code requirements.
• The work requires the Incumbent to plan and lay out work; plan work sequences; selects tools and materials or equipment; determine work methods and techniques and accomplishes assigned task in accordance with accepted trade practices.
• Independently accomplishes work assignments by interpreting information and determining nature/extent of maintenance, installation, or repair required.
• Ability to measure insulation dimensions for pipes and valves; cut, form, and install insulating materials on items with bends, slopes, angles, cylindrical surfaces, or curves; fill cracks or smooth rough spots with mud and trowel and apply the cloth to cover insulation to complete installations.
• Knowledge of shop mathematics is sufficient to accomplish surface measurements with rules.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD14253A
Physical Requirements: Work requires frequently handling heavy materials and parts weighing in excess of 45 pounds. The work also requires pulling, pushing, reaching, walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, bending, and climbing for sustained periods of time. Physical effort is often strenuous and is typical of industrial construction trades.
Recruitment Incentive: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates who possess unique skills and competencies needed to perform critical mission-essential functions.

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.
• Subject to a pre-employment physical examination to demonstrate the ability to meet the physical requirements of the position.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• 5 CFR 330.502- General restriction on movement (90 days) after competitive appointment applies.
• 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.

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:

• 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.

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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents Required:

• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Next steps