Clarification from the agency

This is an internal announcement and is limited to current permanent employees of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and CTAP eligible candidates. Current, permanent Veterans Canteen Service employees may apply and will be considered in the same manner as a current VHA employee.

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Manages workload, staffing, training, resources, and contractor coordination to ensure reliable operations across inpatient, outpatient, and critical care areas.

Major duties include but not limited to:

• Plans, assigns, and schedules work for WG and WL staff across medical gas, domestic/process water, sanitary, therapy pool, irrigation, and fire suppression systems.
• Prioritizes corrective maintenance, preventive maintenance (PM), recurring inspections, and life safety testing in alignment with patient care operations and Joint Commission readiness.
• Develops and monitors PM programs, procedures, and checklists.
• Ensures all work is logged in AEMS/MERS or CMMS and validates work completion and quality.
• Oversees diagnostic, repair, and replacement activities for pumps, PRVs, valves, pipe sections, sprinkler components, medical gas outlets/valves, and associated control/alarm systems.
• Ensures compliance with NFPA 25 (inspection, testing, and maintenance for water-based fire protection systems), VA safety directives, plumbing codes, infection control risk assessment (ICRA) practices, and medical gas standards.
• Coordinates annual certifications (e.g., medical gas) and required NFPA inspections (e.g., fire suppression internal pipe inspections); tracks discrepancies and implements corrective actions.
• Manages therapy pool operations (water chemistry testing, mechanical reliability, safety compliance) and seasonal irrigation programming and maintenance.
• Authors SOPs, lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and emergency response protocols (e.g., emergency water supply).
• Leads operational risk assessments; prepares and executes planned shutdowns with proper authorizations and communication to patient care supervisors.
• Distributes work orders and gives technical direction; ensures materials, tools, and equipment availability; reviews work-in-progress and final products for adherence to standards and codes.
• Implements performance management (appraisals, awards), discipline, leave administration, and labor management relations per policy.
• Trains and develops personnel; mentors in medical gas maintenance, fire suppression testing, therapy pool operations, irrigation controller programming, leak detection, and safety.
• Enforces safety practices and PPE usage; conducts tailgate safety briefings; investigates incidents and near-misses; implements corrective measures.
• Forecasts materials and spare parts; requests procurement of specialized tools and equipment; supports budget estimates for shop operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Plumber Supervisor/PD618-608660
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network 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.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent tasks require standing, stooping, squatting, and kneeling in cramped positions for prolonged periods. He/she will be required to work from ladders and scaffolding. He/she will lift and carry heavy objects weighing over 50 pounds.You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Working Conditions: The incumbent may work in various hot, dirty, dusty, wet, or otherwise unpleasant areas. In the performance of his/her duties he/she may be exposed to unpleasant odors, human waste, and other unpleasant materials that are flushed in the sanitary sewer system. He/she will be required to work in contaminated or sterile areas, and will be required to wear protective clothing and mask. There may be exposure to cuts, bruises, burns, contagious diseases, and inclement outdoor weather. He/she will be required to perform proper Lockout/Tagout procedures as well as all other safety requirements that VA policy requires.

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
• 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 identification 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial 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, 08/27/2026.

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.

Preferred Experience

• Journeyman level plumber
• Knowledge of domestic water systems
• Experience in building maintenance
• Experience in construction of water piping systems
• Experience maintaining or repairing medical gas systems
• Plumbing license
• Welding certifications
• Medical gas certification
• Brazing certification

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)
• Lead or Supervise
• Measurement and Layout
• Technical Practices
• Troubleshooting
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

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 tasks require standing, stooping, squatting, and kneeling in cramped positions for prolonged periods. He/she will be required to work from ladders. He/she may lift and carry heavy objects weighing over 50 pounds with team member assistance. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Working Conditions: Work is performed throughout the VA Medical Center campus, including inpatient units, outpatient clinics, mechanical spaces, rooftop equipment areas, utility tunnels, exterior grounds, pump houses, and therapy pool areas. Coordination with patient care areas, SPS, and engineering is required when performing shutdowns or intrusive work. Work also extends to satellite CBOCs within the local commuting area, requiring advance planning, coordination of travel, and remote oversight to ensure proper safety and work quality. Subordinates regularly work independently at dispersed locations that require the supervisor to coordinate, track, and monitor work remotely through CMMS updates, radio/phone communication, and periodic site checks.

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.

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.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

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.