Pipefitter

Description:

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA}, Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Richmond VA Medical Center {VAMC), in the Mechanical Section of Engineering Service. The primary purpose of this position is to install, repair, and maintain the piping and plumbing systems throughout the medical center.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/02/2025.

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.

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.

Physical Effort. The incumbent must be able to lift and carry heavy objects (occasionally in excess of 40 pounds) and hold them in awkward positions while they are being installed or removed. Incumbent must be able to work for prolonged periods while kneeling, crouching, stooping and/or standing in awkward positions and to climb and work from ladders, man lifts, scaffolding and roofs.

Working Conditions. Working conditions are not always favorable. Some work is performed in a shop area with good lighting, temperature control and ventilation, but it is often necessary for work to be performed in the crawl and interstitial spaces which can be hot, cold, wet and/or poorly ventilated locations, in poorly lighted conditions, in high places where ladders and scaffolds must be used, etc. Incumbent is occasionally exposed to potentially hazardous conditions such as exposed high-voltage wires, unprotected electrical equipment and is often exposed to hot pipes and equipment, chemical fumes and liquids, dust, head-knocking and trip objects. The incumbent must be able to climb ladders, roofs, work on scaffolds, work in crawl spaces and at dangerous elevations. Various protective devices such as hard hats, gloves, safety shoes, safety glasses and/or respirator masks must be worn.