Summary The incumbent performs the duties of a journeyman Pipefitter at the class 1A facility, VHI Indiana Health Care System. Indiana Health Care System is an integrated facility with medical center, Indiana. The complexity of this healthcare system is increased due to the following factors: an aging infrastructure, and regional differences between the communities serviced by this healthcare system. Responsibilities Installs, modifies, troubleshoots, and repairs new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, steam generation, and hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum, and circulating pumps, and radiators. Incumbent installs, maintains and adjusts equipment such as meters, valves, compressors pumps, steam traps, grease traps, strainers, reducing valves, heating coils, radiators, automatic mixing valves, expansion tanks, dishwashers etc. Incumbent tests systems and equipment for proper operation, circulation, flow, pressure, and leak free joints. Traces and troubleshoots pipe, systems, and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots. Incumbent performs preventative maintenance inspection of systems and equipment. Incumbent works from blueprints and performs work using own judgment and decisions in order to plan, lay out, route and install/repair sewage, water, oil and gas distribution systems, bathroom fixtures, sprinkler systems or high-pressure piping systems. The incumbent must be familiar with the provisions of the International Plumbing Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 54 (National Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 99 (Heath Care Facilities Code) and sufficiently knowledgeable of the entire code to satisfactorily research special requirements or applications. The incumbent must be able to read and write, to interpret blueprints, drawings or sketches, work instructions from various sources, and technical guides of varying degrees of complexity as furnished by government agencies or equipment manufacturers. Work is assigned to the incumbent by the supervisor through work orders, engineering drawings or orally. Physical Effort: The incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding and hydraulic work platforms. Incumbent often works in portions of the utility systems requiring attention that are in cramped, dirty, and hard-to-reach locations. The work involves prolonged crouching and standing and frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in exhausting and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent frequently lifts or carries tools, equipment, ladders, scaffolding, parts, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift and carry over 50 pounds. Working Conditions: The incumbent must often perform work under unpleasant, disagreeable, or hazardous conditions. Incumbent performs work outside and will be exposed to inclement conditions with temperature ranges from extreme heat or cold. On most jobs, the incumbent will come in contact with dust, mud, or grease, and the soiling of clothing and skin surfaces is normal. In certain locations he will also be exposed to excessive noise and vibration in addition to soiling agents. The incumbent will occasionally be exposed to gases and fumes from cutting and welding torches. Incumbent will also occasionally be exposed to chemical sewer cleaners, drainpipe cleaners and acids used in cleaning equipment, and work on slippery or unstable surfaces. Work Schedule: 7:30am- 4:00pm; negotiable Position Description/PD#: Pipefitter/PD92725A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/20/2024. 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 Plan and organize work Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Use Prints and Drawings Work Practices 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 Requirements: The incumbent works from ladders, scaffolding and hydraulic work platforms. Incumbent often works in portions of the utility systems requiring attention that are in cramped, dirty, and hard-to-reach locations. The work involves prolonged crouching and standing and frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in exhausting and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent frequently lifts or carries tools, equipment, ladders, scaffolding, parts, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to lift and carry over 50 pounds. Working Conditions: The incumbent must often perform work under unpleasant, disagreeable, or hazardous conditions. Incumbent performs work outside and will be exposed to inclement conditions with temperature ranges from extreme heat or cold. On most jobs, the incumbent will come in contact with dust, mud, or grease, and the soiling of clothing and skin surfaces is normal. In certain locations he will also be exposed to excessive noise and vibration in addition to soiling agents. The incumbent will occasionally be exposed to gases and fumes from cutting and welding torches. Incumbent will also occasionally be exposed to chemical sewer cleaners, drainpipe cleaners and acids used in cleaning equipment, and work on slippery or unstable surfaces. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. 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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. "VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."