Pipefitter

Summary This position is located in the Durham VA Medical Center, Engineering Service, Durham, NC. The primary purpose of this position is to install, modify, maintain, and repair industrial or domestic high-temperature water and medium to high-pressure systems and equipment. Pipefitters work from blueprints, plans, sketches, and other specifications to plan layouts and fabricate piping systems in relation to walls, passageways, obstructions, locations of machinery, and other considerations. Duties Duties include but are not limited to: Working from blueprints, plans, sketches and other specifications, the incumbent plans layouts and fabricates piping systems in relation to walls, passageways, obstructions, locations of machinery and other considerations. Bores holes in structures through which piping mush pass Installs pipes with necessary hangers, brackets and other necessary support Aligning for welding, soldering and brazing where required otherwise gauges, traps, thermostats, back-flow preventer units and other devices and connects pip to fixtures and equipment Packs, adjusts, and repairs valves of various types Repairs leaks and clears obstructions in piping, and makes necessary adjustments for proper operation under pressure Operates pip threading machines, hand tools, electric sewer augers, fans, pumps, and other trade-related tools and equipment Primary duties and responsibilities will be as a pipefitter, but will perform any other related duties as assigned that are necessary in meeting the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00, Monday - Friday Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD06155A Physical Requirements: May handle or carry weights up to 50 pounds, and occasionally more. Assistance is usually available for handling of heavier material and equipment. Heavy exertion is required at frequent intervals. Work requires pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching, walking, climbing, stooping, ability for normal mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, normal hearing and vision. Must have physical capacities for working inside and outside in excessive heat and cold, excessive noise, confined areas, inclement weather and on intermittent slippery or uneven surfaces that can be found at or in transit to or from worksites. Must be able to work from ladders and platforms, and work in awkward and uncomfortable positions. Working Conditions: May be assigned to work areas where certain potentially harmful physical and chemical agents are present. These agents may include, but are not limited to: fumes, dust, noise, heat, ionizing, and non-ionizing radiation, chemicals, etc. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required 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 identification 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial, 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. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional information 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 (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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.