Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent employees of the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center & subsidiary CBOCs

Duties May Include But are Not Limited to the Following:

The incumbent is considered a working leader in charge of all work performed by the Pipefitter Shop. As such, incumbent leads seven (8): WG-4204-10, Pipefitters and one (1): WG-4749-10, Maintenance Mechanic, and any other temporary mechanics or summer working aids assigned on an occasional basis. Incumbent may be called upon to advise Engineering Technicians, Engineers, Shop Supervisors, M&O Foreman, Assistant/Chief Engineer, and others on matters related to his/her field. Serves as a lead subject matter expert for pipe-fitting and plumbing discussion, design, and/or standard of operation and policies. Tracks the Legionella Preventive Maintenance Program for plumbing to ensure compliance of local, VA and VISN Directives for Legionella Prevention Program. Answers questions regarding sections work both from within service and from outside service personnel. In addition, incumbent will lead any purchasing efforts and hire personnel for any hospital non-recurring or minor projects connected with the Pipefitter Shop. Coordinate with other shops and sections when needed for project support.

Ensures work is being completed in a proper, satisfactory, and timely manner. Assigns work to shop employees and sets interval priority lists related to work. Coordinates work orders from MAXIMO including time and labor costs. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining stock levels of all parts and supplies needed for operation, repair and upkeep of all items assigned to the Pipefitter Shop.

Incumbent spot checks work of all shop personnel to ensure quality, accuracy and compliance with trade codes and facility standards. Demonstrates proper work methods to shop staff. Ensures section has appropriate safety gear, tools, parts, training, and paperwork to accomplish mission. Acts within scope of authority to negate negative issues as they arise. Incumbent prepares irregular tours and other schedules and submits them in advance to the Shop Supervisor for approval. Passing along work and guidance from shop supervisor to other workers. Providing shop supervisor and management updates on shop performance and concerns.

Timekeeping for shop staff, as determined by supervisor, Incumbent recommends approval or disapproval of annual, LWOP, and sick leave for shop personnel, recommends promotions, disciplinary action, reassignments, and will furnish to the immediate supervisor written monthly recommendations for performance ratings for each assigned employee.

Incumbent shall assist in writing accident reports, incentive awards, suggestions and/or work simplification. Incumbent is responsible for providing updated data on all items under the preventive maintenance program, recording on work orders all repaired data including time, parts, materials and cost of items used. Generates and signs subsidiary time and attendance sheets and checks accuracy and signs employee activity sheets.

Ensure MAXIMO reflects accurate work for section, builds work orders for work done without existing work order as needed, and follow up on long-life work orders that have not been completed. Review work with staff to ensure accurate and correct completion.

The incumbent will perform the duties of Journeyman Pipefitter, and/or lead subordinates to accomplish the following: Incumbent is required to accomplish all tasks by following appropriate technical data, blueprints, free hard sketches, work orders, verbal instructions and by using correct test equipment, tools and protective clothing.
Many tasks are pain­staking, requiring complete concentration and attention to details at all times. The purpose of this work is to provide uninterrupted control of the environment in designated areas.

Maintains orderly and accurate records of his work, time and repair cost, as prescribed in all applicable maintenance programs. The incumbent will be required to ensure timely performance of daily, monthly, etc. preventative maintenance checks of various pieces of building service equipment and record data, make repairs and/or adjustments, or call in a work order as instructed.

Operates a motor vehicle for transportation to and from various work sights.

The WG-4204-10 is at the Full-Performance Level.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30AM -4:00PM
Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter Leader/PD910790
Telework: Not authorized.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Telework: Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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

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

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:

• Ability to Lead or Supervise

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/Working Conditions: This position requires incumbent to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions, as well walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying and pushing or pulling moderately heavy loads. The Pipefitter Leader frequently lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds. Occasionally, they lift or move with assistance moderately heavy objects weighing more than 75 pounds. When at a job site, strenuous physical exertion is sometimes required when handling heavy and bulky materials.

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. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

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.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

NOTE: You must include qualifying specialized experience in mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy format on your resume and indicate Full-Time or Part-Time (if Part-time, must include # of hours worked per week). AND, if you have held a Government position, that position's grade level MUST be listed on your resume.

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.