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Plumber

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Shiprock Service Unit | Facility Management Services Branch

Summary

This position is located in the Facilities Management Branch at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, NM. The position supports hospital operations by performing and assisting with plumbing work, including the installation, repair, and modification of water supply, sewage, and related utility systems essential to maintaining safe and reliable patient care facilities.


A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$31.33 - $36.52 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
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
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
IHS-27-NN-13076835-ESEP/MP
Control number
887076000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3.

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Duties

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  • Repairs, installs, tests, modifies, and maintains a wide range of plumbing, water, sewage, hydronic, and utility systems and equipment, including water closets, tubs, showers, fire sprinkler systems, pumps, water heaters, furnaces, and related systems.
  • Plans and performs plumbing installations by determining routing, placement, slope, materials, tools, and equipment; cuts, bends, assembles, and installs piping and fittings; fabricates components; interprets blueprints and sketches; and uses a variety of hand, power, cutting, brazing, and diagnostic tools.
  • Assists in pipefitting, performs preventative maintenance, exercises valves, and/or assists other crafts personnel when not accomplishing the work above.
  • Tests and inspects completed plumbing work for proper operation, flow, pressure, drainage, sanitation, and leaks; updates as-built drawings and inspection records; and ensures compliance with applicable agency requirements, national/state codes, and authority having jurisdiction.
  • Modifies and assists with repairs with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA)/IHS water main connection as needed.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
There is no specific length of training or experience required: However, applicants will be rated on the basis of their responses to the Occupation Questionnaire that you possess the competencies to perform the duties this position without normal supervision, and the information contained in their resume.

For WG-4206-09: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 Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C.

Physical Effort: Performs electrical repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and other difficult-to-access locations, requiring frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, and climbing while working in tiring or uncomfortable positions; regularly lifts and carries tools, equipment, and parts weighing up to 20 pounds, occasionally up to 40 pounds, and with assistance moves heavier objects exceeding 40 pounds.

Working Conditions: Performs electrical repairs and installations indoors and outdoors, including in adverse weather, noisy, dirty, dusty, and greasy environments; works at heights of 30 feet or more on scaffolding or cranes and in confined spaces such as manholes and attics, with exposure to hazards including electrical shock, falls, fumes, burns, infectious pathogens, rotating equipment, cuts, and bruises.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

  • This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.
  • Position is subject to assist with snow removal, (winter season), rotating and call back shift.
  • Physical Demands: The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending in the assessment and treatment of patients.

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.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement.

  • Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element)
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (includes blueprint reading)
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
  • Measurement and Layout
  • Troubleshooting


The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13076835.

All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 10/14/2026, to be considered.

Indian Health Service

Become a part of an innovative, dynamic, nationwide organization of dedicated health care providers working to meet the individual health care needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Health Service (IHS) employees are considerate in our care, creative in our approach, enthusiastic about our work and compassionate with our patients. Our lifestyle is adventurous, community oriented and focused on service and problem solving as part of a professional interdisciplinary team. Join us in improving the health outcomes of over 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Agency contact information

Dori Sombrero

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http://www.ihs.gov

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