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.

Must have the ability to lead a diverse work force consisting of Pipefitters and Plumbers performing installation, maintenance and repair of hospital plumbing and steam systems. Leading this group will require administrative skills (computer/typing/filing/etc.) in addition to the technical knowledge of plumbing systems and the codes associated with their installation, maintenance, and inspection. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Skills in instructing, directing, training, planning activities and administering personnel actions for subordinates.
• Ability to review, update and write Standard Operating Procedures and policies pertinent to the Pipefitting and Plumbing Unit.
• Ability to perform frequent and periodic inspections of all equipment, including arrangement for outside construction support as required; inventorying and securing of all equipment and supplies in the Pipefitting and Plumbing Unit; initiated new and replacement personal property requests, including justification.
• Knowledge to ensure adequate stocks of materials and equipment by inventorying and ordering supplies as necessary.
• Skilled in scheduling and approving all annual leave as to accommodate workloads.
• Ability to assign priorities of tasks to subordinates verbally and in writing; ensuring deadlines are met and keeping suspense files of important dates/goals.
• Knowledge and ability to research and gather data on equipment and materials to prepare specifications, Statements of Work, Independent Government Estimates for ordering supplies, equipment and services required.
• Ability to administer performance evaluations, as appropriate, for all employees under supervision; preparing performance plans for all subordinates and developing annual performance appraisals; participating in the selection of employees to fill vacant positions; providing recommendations for promotion or reassignment of subordinates.
• Ability to initiated disciplinary actions where appropriate and effectively maintain good discipline.
• Skilled in the interpretation of specifications, drawings, memos, catalogues and operating manuals for subordinates.
• Ability to follow-up on delayed delivery of materials, equipment repair, defective supplies or other conditions slowing down work or which will cause deadlines not to be met.
• Ability to conduct studies of staffing requirements, work assignments, equipment needs and unscheduled leave usage.
• Skilled at keeping an afterhours callback/response list of employees for irregular or emergency situations.
• Ability to certify time and attendance reports.
• Knowledge, skill and ability to carry out special assignments, as delegated, and perform any other related duties that may be assigned.
• Incumbent will hold a COR certification. If not already certified upon taking position, must be certified within 120 days of employment.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday / 7:00AM - 3:30PMPosition Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter Supervisor/PD13809O

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must exert moderate to arduous physical effort involving working, standing, bending, stooping, lifting and crawling while performing his/her duties at the Medical Center. He/she must be able to climb ladders and scaffolding. He/she must be capable of climbing over and under equipment, working in confined spaces, crawl spaces and other isolated areas. The incumbent must be able to work for extended periods in uncomfortable positions and conditions. He/she must be able to lift loads of up to 25 pounds unassisted.

Working Conditions: The incumbent works around potentially hazardous mechanical and electrical equipment, steam systems and compressed gases. He/she must exercise caution while with and around drill presses, lathes, acetylene torches, arc welders, hydraulic presses, milling machines, pipe threaders, power sewer machines, pressure washers, band saws and other shop equipment and tools. He/she may be exposed to high humidity and temperatures for extended periods. He/she could work in confined spaces and in cramped positions during repair and maintenance of medical center equipment and utility systems.

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.

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:

• Ingenuity
• Lead or Supervise
• Plan and organize work

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

NOTE: Effective 9/29/2025 all submitted applications must contain resumes limited to two-pages in length and anything longer is prohibited. Only the first two-pages will be considered for qualification purposes for this announcement.

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• 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