Pipefitter

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC), in the Maintenance and Repair Section of Facilities Management Service (FMS). The primary duties of the position involve the installation, maintenance, and repair of high temperature water and high-pressure piping systems such as hydraulic, nitrogen, oxygen, steam heating, and steam-generating systems.

Major Duties Installs, modifies, repairs, and maintains high temperature water and high pressure piping systems such as hydraulic, nitrogen, oxygen, steam heating, and steam generating systems. Installs and repairs such items as steam generators, vacuum, air, water, and condensate pumps, radiators, automatic and manual valves and flash and expansion tanks. Piping systems include water, natural gas, high/medium/low pressure steam and condensate, medical gases, compressed air, heating and cooling, sewer, fire protection, irrigation, and de-ionized water. Sets up system routes, places and cuts route openings, installs regulating devices, and places hangers for proper pitch and elevation. Determines and installs 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. Reads and interprets blueprints, layout sketches, manufacturers' literature and specifications for sizing, estimating, installing, and repairing new or existing piping systems. Replaces sections of pipe, repairs steam traps and relief and control valves. Cuts, threads, and connects pipes by means of union, flanges, and sweating. Fits pipe sections by screwing, bolting, brazing, welding, gluing, fusing, soldering, and caulking connections by forcing oakum and molten lead into joints. Tests systems and equipment for proper operation, circulation, flow, pressure, and leak-free joints. Traces and troubleshoots pipe lines, systems, and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots. Performs safety and preventive maintenance inspections of systems and equipment. Installs, troubleshoots, repairs and modifies plumbing systems and fixtures. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:45am - 4:30pm, with ability to work weekends and holidays. Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD07892A

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.