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Plumber

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Summary

This position is in the Pipe Shop at the Minneapolis VA HealthCare System. The Pipe Shop is responsible for the installation, modification, repair, and maintenance of plumbing and piping systems, including water, sewage, oil, and gas distribution systems, fire suppression systems, and medical gas systems. The incumbent installs, modifies, retrofits, repairs, maintains, and ensures the proper operation of these critical systems to support the facility's infrastructure and patient care areas.

Overview

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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$32.90 - $38.41 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 9
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes - AFGE, 1272
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBSY-13049270-26-LCS
Control number
882557300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

VEOA eligibles may apply for consideration who are (a) preference eligibles, or (b) Veterans whose most recent military separation was under honorable conditions after substantially completing at least 3 years of continuous active military service may compete under merit promotion procedures. Current permanent Veterans Canteen Service employees may apply and will be considered in the same manner as a current VA employee.

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Duties

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

Medical Gas Systems
  • Maintains and repairs piped medical gas systems including oxygen, nitrous oxide, and vacuum systems.
  • Responds to alarms, traces pressure drops, tests outlets with flow meters, and isolates faulty zones.
  • Adjusts regulator pressures, calibrates alarm thresholds, and verifies flow rates at outlets.
  • Coordinates with third-party vendors for annual certification and responds to deficiencies.
Liquid Systems
  • Maintains and repairs domestic and process water systems, including potable water, RO/DI systems, and sanitary waste systems. Follows emergency water supply procedures.
  • Installs, repairs, and maintains plumbing fixtures including water closets, tubs, showers, and sinks.
  • Addresses plumbing issues such as sewer main backups, water leaks, and fixture failures.
  • Lubricates pump bearings, flushes mixing valves, and monitors pump operation.
  • Inspects pressure gauges, valves, and piping for leaks, corrosion, or damage using flashlights, mirrors, and thermometers.
  • Replaces leaking pipe sections, failed pumps, and PRVs using appropriate joining methods, pipe wrenches, soldering tools, and thread sealant.
  • Tests repaired lines for pressure integrity, verifies pump operation, and performs backflow preventer testing.
  • Cleans sewer mains semi-annually using high-pressure jetters or mechanical augers.
Therapy pool
  • Maintains and repairs therapy pool systems to ensure safe water quality and mechanical reliability.
  • Cleans filters, lubricates pump bearings, and inspects chemical feed lines.
  • Performs daily water chemistry testing for bromine, pH, and alkalinity; inspects motors, valves, and adjustable pool floor.
  • Verifies pump and lift operation and maintains inspection logs for compliance with health and safety standards.
Irrigation Systems
  • Installs, maintains and repairs below ground watering systems to include sprinklers and drip lines to ensure efficient water distribution for lawns and landscapes.
  • Performs system startups, seasonable adjustments, troubleshooting malfunctions and programs controllers.
Fire Suppression Systems
  • Maintains and repairs fire suppression systems in accordance with NFPA 25 and VA safety standards.
  • Replaces sprinkler heads, valves, flow switches, and pipe sections using pipe wrenches and sealant.
  • Adjusts pump pressure switches and calibrates alarm thresholds.
  • Performs weekly/monthly fire pump tests, annual hydrant flushing, and alarm/flow switch verification.
  • Documents all testing and maintenance activities; coordinates with contractors for annual NFPA inspections and 5-year internal pipe inspections.
General Maintenance
  • Coordinates with contractors for large-scale projects.
  • Ensures compliance with building codes and safety standards.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Plumber/PD618-60860A
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.

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
  • 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, 09/08/2026.

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:
1. General plumbing experience
2. Able to estimate materials needed for job
3. Able to solder copper pipe.
4. Troubleshoot and repair domestic hot and cold water systems
5. Interpret blueprints
6. Experience working with fire suppression systems
7. Experience working on medical gas systems
8. Experience working on compressed building air systems

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: Lifts and carries materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally weighing up to 100 pounds. Bends, kneels, crouches, and stands for extended periods. Uses hand and power tools requiring coordination and manual dexterity. Works in confined spaces and performs tasks that involve considerable physical effort.

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: Works in mechanical rooms, patient care areas, and outdoors, exposed to varying temperatures and weather conditions. Subject to noise, fumes, and vibrations from tools and equipment. Works in potentially hazardous environments, requiring adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection. Occasionally encounters biological and chemical hazards and follows stringent hygiene and safety practices.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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.

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.

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 Minneapolis VA Health Care System serves more than 100,000 Veterans across 15 locations. The Minneapolis VA Medical Center, a Level 1A Complexity Facility located adjacent to Minnehaha Regional Park, provides comprehensive tertiary care spanning medicine, surgery, mental health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care. The system includes the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and 13 Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Minnesota (Albert Lea, Ely, Hibbing, Mankato, Maplewood, Ramsey, Rochester, Shakopee, and St. James) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Hayward, Rice Lake, and Superior).

The Minneapolis VA is an academic medical center and teaching hospital equipped with advanced technology, four major research centers, and multiple Regional and National Specialty Care Centers.

Minnesota, known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," is consistently recognized for high quality of life, offering residents year-round outdoor recreation, cultural amenities, and strong community engagement

For additional information about services and programs, visit VA Minneapolis Health Care - Veterans Affairs.

Agency contact information

Luther Smith Jr.
Phone
612-467-6901
Email
luther.smith@va.gov
Address
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
US

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