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:

• Independently interprets instructions, schematics and blueprints for plumbing systems in Start up and shut down equipment, test for and repair leaks.
• Independently lays out jobs per blueprints or schematics without assistance.
• Inspects competitively bid construction and maintenance and repair projects to insure compliance with drawings and specifications.
• Determines and place equipment at the proper levels and points in the systems.
• Uses and maintains tools and equipment such as sliding squares, measuring tapes, dividers, chalk lines, plumb bobs, templates.
• Employs methods and techniques for figuring pipe, joints, 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.
• Performs cathodic protection, and perform general maintenance, prime pumps.
• Installing plumbing fixtures such as sinks, water closets, drinking fountains, hot water storage tanks, and hot water producing equipment such as dishwashers and laundry equipment.
• Use tools and equipment, such as plumb bobs, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers, hydrostatic pumps, lead pots, etc.
• Utilize shop mathematics and lay out such things as angles, arcs, and circles.
• Diagnose/troubleshoot equipment, evaluate and adjust equipment, interpret pump performance curves, and maintain seals and bearings.
• Troubleshoot, repair and calibrate lab testing equipment to insure accurate technical precision and test results.
• Figuring pressures and fixtures units within a system and ensuring that piping, valves, fittings and equipment are proper for the work.
• Install and operate relief valves, check valves, pressure regulators, expansion joints and other pressure supporting and controlling devices to control pressure, flow, and circulation.
• Planning and laying out the installation, modification and repair of new and existing piping systems, plumbing systems and equipment.
• Installs steam, water, and sewer piping in large commercial buildings.
• Repairs, install, relief valves, check valves, pressure regulators, expansion joints, and other pressure supporting and controlling devices.
• Repairs, installs, and adjust high-pressure piping systems and equipment, such as steam heating, steam generation, and vacuum systems, radiators, and circulating pumps.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD005220
Physical Requirements: Incumbent must stand a large part of the day, climb ladders, work in stooped or prone positions, and at times exert considerable physical effort in lifting chemicals and compounds into feeders and storage areas which consists of 50 lbs. bags, gas cylinders and various size drums.

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.

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 within 30 days of 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

Screen Out : Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. Examples include: knowledge of various high-pressure piping systems and equipment; ability to plan and lay out the installation, modification, and repair of various new and existing piping systems and equipment; ability to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints, and to use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles; skill in the use of tools and equipment such as sliding squares, measuring tapes, dividers, chalk lines, plumb bobs, templates, star drills, grinders, flanges, hand and power pipe threaders and cutters, and pipe wrenches.

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.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

• Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
• Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
• Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

Documents Required:

• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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