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.

Major Duties

Pipefitting
The position involves installing, modifying, and repairing new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, steam generation, and hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum, and circulating pumps, and radiators. The pipefitters work from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan and lay out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and opera??on of various piping systems and equipment. They install, modify, and repair systems like those described above by sending up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation, and determining and installing such things as risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators in the combination needed to support the pressures of the systems and that ensure the proper operation of the systems. The pipefitters also install equipment like that described above by planning and completing the routing and placement of systems leading to the equipment, determining, and placing the equipment at the proper levels and points in the systems, and joining, sealing, and testing systems and equipment for proper pressures, leak-free joints, and operation.

Plumbing
This position also includes maintenance and repair and some installation of domestic water supply systems and fixtures, sanitary and storm drains and vent systems, acid drain and vent systems, water heaters, gas and oil service valves and lines, medical gas equipment and service lines as trained and certified per NFPA99 Health Care Facilities Code, compressed air and vacuum systems, water filtering and purification systems, fire suppression systems.

Performs other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD94262-A
This position is at full performance.

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.

General: The work involves installing, modifying, and repairing new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, steam generation, and hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum, and circulating pumps, and radiators. The pipefitters work from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan and lay out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and operation of various piping systems and equipment. They install, modify, and repair systems like those described above by setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation, and determining and installing such things as risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators in the combination needed to support the pressures of the systems and that ensure the proper operation of the systems. The pipefitters also install equipment like that described above by planning and completing the routing and placement of systems leading to the equipment, determining and placing the equipment at the proper levels and points in the systems, and joining, sealing, and testing systems and equipment for proper pressures, leak-free joints, and operation.

Skill and Knowledge: The pipefitters are required to have a knowledge of how various high-pressure piping systems and equipment, such as steam heating, steam generation, and vacuum systems, radiators, and circulating pumps, are installed and operate. For example, the pipefitters must know how relief valves, check valves, pressure regulators, expansion joints, and other pressure supporting and controlling devices are installed and how they operate to control increases and decreases in pressure, flow, circulation, and expansion in the systems. The pipefitters must have the ability to plan and lay out the installation, modification, and repair of various new and existing piping systems and equipment. The pipefitters, for example, must be able to lay out and install various kinds of piping, risers, and flexible branches at the proper level and incline; determine the placement and elevation and install steam generators, vacuum and condensate pumps, and radiators; and replace heat exchangers, flash and expansion tanks, and automatic and manual control valves. The pipefitters must have the ability to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints, and to use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles. The pipefitters must have skill in any of the accepted trade methods and techniques, for example, figuring pipe, joint, and valve sizes needed to support pressures of systems, aligning pipes, valves, fittings, and joints for accurate match, and installing proper braces and supports to control movement and vibration and allow for expansion and contraction. The pipefitters must also have skill in the use of tools and equipment such as sliding squares, measuring tapes, dividers, chalklines, plumb bobs, templates, star drills, grinders, flangers, hand and power pipe threaders and cutters, and pipe wrenches.

Physical Effort: The pipefitters make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places. This requires the pipefitters to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The pipefitters frequently handle, lift, carry, and set up parts and equipment that weigh up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Occasionally, the pipefitters may lift and carry items that weigh over 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Working Conditions: The work is done inside and outside, and is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. The pipefitters are sometimes required to make installations and repairs in areas where bad smelling fumes are present. There is frequent exposure to the possibility of uncomfortable heat conditions. The pipefitters are frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and infections. They are occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones. The pipefitters test systems and equipment after completing work for proper circulation, flow, pressure, and leak-free joints. The supervisor checks the pipefitters= overall work to see that it meets accepted trade standards.

Responsibility: The supervisor assigns work orally and through work orders, building plans, and blueprints. The pipefitters plan and lay out the needed routing, placement, pitch, incline, and elevation of systems and equipment. The pipefitters figure pressures in the systems and see that the piping, valves, fittings, and equipment are proper for the work. The pipefitters complete installations, modifications, and repairs with little or no check during their progress or upon completion.


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
• Problem Solving
• Self Management

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 (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• 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