Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Pipefitter

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

Employee will serve as a Pipefitter assigned to the Engineering Service, Facility Management, Maintenance and Repair Section at the Veterans Administration Northeast Ohio Healthcare System in Cleveland, OH.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/31/2026 to 04/07/2026
Salary
$34.13 - $39.88 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 10
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Cleveland, OH
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CARZ-12926033-26-NRT
Control number
863283600

Videos

Duties

Help

The primary purpose of the position will be responsible for a full range of jobs to repair and install new pneumatic systems, domestic water supply and water return, heating hot water supply and return, natural gas, medical gas, steam, fuel oil, condensate return, wastewater piping, disposal systems, floor drains, roof drains, and fire alarm system related to sprinkler piping. Duties will include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Installs, modifies, and repairs new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, steam generation, and hydraulic systems, flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum, and circulating pumps plus radiators, sterilizers, cookers, etc.
  • Works from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan and lay-out the routing, placement, slant, slope, pitch elevation, fall, pressure reduction, expansion, and proper operation of systems and equipment.
  • Installs, modifies, and repairs systems like those described above by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper level and slope, and determining and installing valves, traps, and unions needed for proper operation of systems.
  • Installs equipment by completing the routing and placement of systems leading to the equipment, and seating, hooking up, joining, sealing and testing the equipment and systems for proper pressures, leak-free joints and operation.
  • 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.
  • Plans and lays out the installation and modification of various systems and equipment; and interprets and applies building plans and blueprints; utilizes shop mathematics; and lays out such things as angles, arcs, and circles.
  • Utilizes tools and equipment such as plumb bobs, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers, hydrostatic pump, lead pots, sliding squares, measuring tapes, chalk lines, templates start drills, grinders, flanges, hand and power pipe threaders and cutters, and pipe wrenches.
  • Perform other duties as necessary.
Work Schedule: Applicants will be assigned a Tour of Duty, to be discussed during interview.
Full-time, Monday-Friday, Second Shift 3:00pm - 11:30PM
Full-Time, Monday-Friday, Third Shift 11:00pm - 7:30pm

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Requirements

Help

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
  • Pre-employment physical required
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • 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)
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.

Qualifications

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration.

The SPF for this position is: Requires a Journeyman Pipefitter (or Plumber) Certification or License. (A copy of your certification/license is required at the time to application to receive credit.)

SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to do the work of a Pipefitter without more than normal supervision. My experience includes working as a Journeyman in a Hospital/Commercial/Industrial setting performing new installations, repairs, modifications on pneumatic systems, domestic water supply and water return, natural gas, medical gas, steam, fuel oil, floor and roof drains, including high-pressure piping systems and equipment (e.g., heating, steam generation, vacuum systems, radiators, etc.). I have experience interpreting blueprints, building plans, and sketches to properly plan and lay-out the routing, placement, slant slope, pitch elevation, fall, pressure reduction, etc. to complete the project/job in a cost efficient and safe manner. I am able to skillfully operate a wide variety of tools and equipment common to pipefitting (e.g., inspection camera, ultra-sonic testers, pipe freeze equipment, squares, grinders, flangers, hand and power pipe threaders and cutters, wrenches, etc.). (Note: Resume(s) must clearly detail qualifying experience and responses provided to the online questionnaire to receive consideration).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, powered man-lifts, and platforms, and where the parts of systems worked on are in hard-to-reach places. Stands, stoops, bends, kneels, climbs, and works in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Frequently handles, lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds; occasionally items that are over 50 pounds.

The work is done inside and outside, and is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. May frequently encounter areas where bad smelling fumes are present and also outside in inclement weather. May be exposed to uncomfortable heat or cold conditions; exposes to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, broken bones, infections. May be exposed to potentially hazardous materials and chemicals, not limited to asbestos, exposed to prolong noises. Required to select and use personal protection equipment (PPE), as well as other PPE gear for the task being performed (e.g., fall protection, safety shoes, hearing protection, eye and yead protection, respiratory protection to include powered air-purifying respirators), gloves, gowns, hair nets, shoe coverings, gas detection monitors, particulate related monitors, and hearing monitors, etc.)

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume.

You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

  • Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
  • Measurement and Layout
  • Technical Practices
  • Troubleshooting
  • Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment


IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation.

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Your responses to the assessment questionnaire will be reviewed along with the information provided in your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you are qualified for the position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered and/or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Candidates who apply under All U.S. Citizens announcements will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The categories are defined as follows:

  • Best qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
  • Well qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job; and
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category rating and selection procedures place those with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants that meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who served our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your Country's service. If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans.

The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission.

America's Veterans need you!

Agency contact information

VHA National Recruitment Center
Phone
(844)456-5208
Email
VHANationalRecruitmentCenter@va.gov
Address
VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System
10701 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Veterans Health Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.va.gov/jobs/

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.