Summary

The incumbent of this position is a Sprinkler System Mechanic/Pipefitter in Engineering Service at the VA Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) Columbus, Ohio Incumbent installs, maintains, repairs and tests plumbing fixtures, water supply lines, drain lines, steam generating and using equipment, the steam distribution and condensate return system. Duties also include the installing, maintaining, repairing and testing of the building sprinkler system, fire hydrants, and the site sprinkler system.

Duties

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• Performs preliminary work such as estimating materials required and locating and marking areas where work is to be done.
• Installing, repairing or replacing sprinkler system controls, to include the diagnosing of system problems as they relate to control valves.
• Replacing main sprinkler system electric valves and components, i.e., isolation valves, pipe connections, etc.
• Installs piping and fixtures for lawn sprinkler systems, wash basins, bath tubs, century tubs, water closets, urinals, water cooling units, grease traps, garbage disposal units, etc.
• Installs and repairs main valves in accordance with specifications and blueprints.
• Repairs and/or replaces piping and fixtures such as drinking fountains, showers, floor drains, pneumatic tube system, etc.
• Repairs and adjusts mixing valves on showers and continuous flow tubs.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs hot water tanks, radiators, and instantaneous hot water generators.
• Install, repair and perform other work on the steam generating equipment, the steam distribution system and the condensate return system. Repairs and/or replaces condensate return pumps, replace bearings and seals.
• Will install or replace insulation on piping or equipment.
• Performs preventive maintenance by clearing stoppages by checking piping, sump pumps, fittings and fixtures for defects and by making necessary repairs.
• Uses all tools on the trade: pipe threaders, power hack saws, Hilti rotary drill hammer, pipe wrenches, jack hammers, and small hand tools, screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, benders, soldering tools, etc.
• Performs preventive maintenance on steam traps.
• Adjust and maintain all alarms on steam and water system.
• Performs backflow preventer tests as necessary.
• Receives work assignments from the Supervisory General Engineer, either orally or through written work orders and accomplishes assigned tasks utilizing building plans, diagrams and engineering drawings. The incumbent accomplishes assigned tasks with little or no supervision.
• The incumbent is responsible for accurately completing work orders and labor reports daily and completing 2237 requests for required parts and materials.
• The incumbent is responsible for knowing and practicing good workmanship. All rules and regulations applicable to the plumbing trade, i.e., must comply with Building and Plumbing Codes.
• Work is accomplished at the journeyman level.
• The incumbent is expected to practice all safety rules pertaining to his/her job

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD003492

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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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/trial period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/03/2025.

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. 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.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent makes repairs and installations while stooping, kneeling, and working with hands over head, lifting, and using arm muscles tightening connections. There is a considerable amount of dexterity required in performing caulking, joining and fitting and repacking valves, installing unit heaters, repairing steam condensate and hot water pumps. The incumbent frequently handles, lifts, carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds. Occasionally the incumbent may lift and carry items that weight over 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: The incumbent is subject to such hazardous conditions as:

• working in damp places
• in water and/or mud
• in close quarters inside and outside
• infection from unsanitary work sites such as sewers, grease traps and waste traps;
• injury while using power operated pipe threaders and bending machines;
• broken bones, cuts and bruises while working with wrenches and heavy pipes;
• abnormal heat while working on steam lines;
• working around neuropsychiatric, TB patients and patients with other possible communicable diseases.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.

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.

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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

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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.

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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.