Clarification from the agency

Vacancy is open to All US Citizens. This position is not authorized to be filled virtually or through outstationing. The Official Duty Station (ODS) for this position is SSA Headquarters in Woodlawn, Maryland.

• Must be able to perform work without more than normal supervision.
• Receives assignments through Information Work Management System (IWMS), supervisor or work leader. Interprets and works independently from building plans, drawings, sketches, specifications, technical manuals and oral instructions.
• Responds to building emergencies
• Plans and implements projects from initial layout to completion when accuracy, fit, structural soundness and compliance with building standards are essential.
• Plans and lays out the route, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion and operation of various piping systems and equipment. Determines and creates pipefitting guidelines, plans and layouts.
• Connects, solders, brazes, and maintains lines for air, natural gas, manufactured gas, sewage, water fixtures and facilities such as the following:
• Hydrants, sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems, sanitary lines, water mains, water closets, lavatories, showers, sinks, dishwashing machines, unit gas heaters, stoves and air compression equipment.
• Installs, modifies, and repairs piping systems by setting up system routes and locating, placing, and cutting route openings through which pipes pass or in which equipment will be installed. Places hangers for proper pitch and elevation.
• Determines and installs items such as risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators to support the system pressure and operation of piping systems and equipment.
• Installs piping system equipment, plans, and completes the routing and placement of the piping system leading to installed equipment.
• Cuts, threads, bends, assembles, and installs pipe and insulation around pipes and fixtures. Installs insulation material around pipes and fixtures.
• Determines and places equipment at the proper levels and points in the systems and joins, seals and tests joints, piping systems and equipment for proper pressures, leak-free joints and operation.
• Investigates, locates, diagnoses trouble, and repairs various building systems with high-and low-steam pressure system components, hot water tanks, heaters, steam boilers, steam distribution systems and auxiliary equipment.
• Installs and repairs radiators, risers, expansion joints, pressure regulators, steam drip traps, pressure reducing valves, condensate pump gauges and thermostats.
• Clears difficult stoppages in drainpipes. Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on plumbing systems, sprinkler systems and steam distribution systems.
• Works with other trades to ensure that all specifications, regulations, and policies are met to ensure efficient completion of assigned projects.
• Inspects and tests piping after repairs, alterations, or additions, inspects job sites to identify environmental hazards that can limit the integrity of a pipe structure and coordinates remediation.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required. Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required. Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background/security investigation results.
• This is an emergency / mission-critical position. You may be called to work after-hours, on weekends and holidays.
• This position involves specific physical efforts, working conditions, shift requirements and/or protective gear requirements as described under QUALIFICATIONS below.
• See QUALIFICATIONS, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW TO APPLY sections for other conditions of this position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this WG-10 Pipefitter position your resume must demonstrate:
(1) the Screen Out AND
(2) the six individual Job Elements

(1) SCREEN OUT: ABILITY TO DO PIPEFITTING WORK WITHOUT MORE THAN NORMAL SUPERVISION

RESPONSIBILITY: Pipefitters in this position install, maintain, modify and repair new and existing high- and low-pressure piping systems, such as steam heat, steam generation, hydronic and hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems, sanitary lines, gas lines and related equipment, such as flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum and circulating pumps and radiators across agency facilities.

You must demonstrate fundamental knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to perform the work of the- pipefitter trade.

At a minimum, your level of work must not require more than regular spot checks and/or guidance during progress and upon completion.

(2) JOB ELEMENTS: At a minimum, you must demonstrate the following:

-- fundamental knowledge of pipefitting equipment

-- ability to apply trade practices to perform common pipefitting tasks

-- ability to read and interpret standard pipefitting guidelines and instructions

-- ability tomeasure and lay out pipefitting materials

-- regular hands-on use of standard pipefitting tools and

-- ability to perform visual, audible or mechanical checks of piping systems and execute basic tests to detect common piping problems

YOUR RESUME MUST SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE SCREEN OUT AND JOB ELEMENTS FOR THIS POSITION.

Reviewers can only rate you on the information you provide; if duties you perform are missing or incomplete, you may be rated ineligible.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Information on Federal Wage System Qualifications can be found at FWS Qualifications Guide


CONDITIONS OF POSITION

Due to the nature of work in this position, the following conditions are essential for successful performance, and you must fully comply with these conditions to meet performance requirements.

Successful performance of work in this position and adherence to these conditions will be assessed during the 1-year probationary period that may be served by new appointees (e.g., new to SSA and/or new to this series).

(1) This is an emergency / mission-critical position. Youmay be called to work after-hours, on weekends and holidays.

(2) You may be required to report to or remain at a duty station to perform critical services when employees are generally excused for all or part of a workday in emergency conditions.

(3) You may be required to report during irregular hours and travel in hazardous weather conditions.

(4) Pipefitters in this position are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year around.

(5) Work is performed in a workshop and at job sites, where there may be exposure to moderate or high noise levels from operating machinery, air particulates, chemical fumes and hazards associated with power equipment.

(6) When working at job sites, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions, bad smelling fumes and uncomfortable heat.

(7) May work in confined areas, which may be dusty, greasy, and dirty; may be subject to burns from hot water and steam while repairing leaks in high- and low-pressure steam piping and is frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises and infections.

(8) Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding and platforms, and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places.

(9) May be subject to considerable physical exertion that includes standing for extended periods while operating machines, such as threading machines, press breaks, metal shears and the horizontal saw.

(10) You may be required to support other agency buildings to provide critical services to sustain the operational needs of agency buildings.

(11) Work requires frequent standing, stooping, bending, crouching, kneeling and arm movement, climbing up and down ladders and scaffolds, working in cramped and awkward positions and lifting and bending when using hand and power tools.

(12) Heavy exertion and physical strength are required at frequent intervals to handle heavy and bulky parts and equipment; frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weighs up to 50 pounds unassisted, and occasionally lifts heavier items with the assistance of lifting devices.

(13) Pipefitters must understand and follow mandated safety procedures and wear mandated Personal Protective Equipment including earplugs, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, gloves, respirator, and any other gear required by higher-level supervisors.

(14) You may be required to wear a respirator and may be required to shave to ensure a proper fit.

(15) You may be required to wear a uniform while working at the duty station.

(16) Telework and Alternate Work Schedules are not authorized for this position; position is not authorized to be filled by outstationing.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

(1) Eligible applicants will receive a score based on responses to the Screen Out and Job Element questions in the online questionnaire.

Preview questions here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12639205

(2) Using that score, eligible applicants will be placed into one of three Category Rating groups:

-- Best Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills and abilities
-- Well Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge, skills and abilities
-- Qualified: candidates who demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge, skills and abilities

Veterans' Preference is considered during this part of the evaluation.

(3) If you are among the highest-ranking applicants based on your score, your resume will be reviewed by HR to determine if you demonstrate the Screen Out and Job Elements.

RESUME -- Describe duties you perform that describe how you meet the Screen Out and Job Elements for this position (see QUALIFICATIONS). Duties not clearly described cannot be credited.

(4) The highest-ranked applicants who demonstrate the Screen Out and Job Elements for this position will be referred to the hiring manager following Priority Selection procedures and applicable documents will be forwarded for further review. (See Priority Selection below.)

Your description of your knowledge, skills and abilities is subject to verification by the selecting official. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation or to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability.


PRIORITY SELECTION:
Well-qualified ICTAPapplicants will receive the first consideration if appropriate supporting documents are provided (see Career Transition Guide and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS).

Qualified veterans' preference eligibles will be placed ahead of others in the category for which they are ranked.

Qualified veterans' preference-eligibles who demonstrate a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be placed in the Best Qualified category.

See Required Documents for information on how to support these claims.