Pipefitter

Job Opportunity : Journey Pipefitter

The Kansas City VA Medical Center is seeking two highly qualified Journey Pipefitters with a strong knowledge of pipe insulation on various systems. The incumbent serves as a member of the Facilities Team. The incumbent performs maintenance, makes repairs, and installs the entire heating, steam, plumbing, natural gas, vacuum, compressed air, and gas systems throughout the medical center. Specific duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following :

• Modifying and repairing new and existing piping
• Works on pressure piping to include steam, heating, steam generators, heat exchangers, circulating pumps, water pumps, condensate and vacuum pumps, radiators, hydraulic systems, natural gas lines flash and expansion tanks, compressed air systems, and sprinkler systems
• Repairing and installing all types of piped utilities, systems and equipment using such piped utilities
• Knowledge of fittings and devices peculiar to the pipefitter trade, troubleshoot, repair or replace fittings
• Properly interprets VA manuals and equipment manuals on instillation and maintenance of piping systems
• Ability to read and properly interpret blueprints, piping diagrams, specification, and instructions
• Knowledge of VA, national and local plumbing codes and established codes
• Incumbent works form blueprints, sketches and building plans when planning and laying out piping systems
• Sizes and determine proper pitch, elevation and placement of piping in consideration of proper pressure, pressure reduction, expansion and operation of piping systems
• Knowledge of pipe insulation and be able to use the proper insulation to including insulating pipe
• Ability to use measuring tapes, sliding squares, levels, plumb bobs, chalk lines, templates, star drills, core drills, hand and power pipe threaders and cutters, pipe wrenches, flanges, etc.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 6 : 00am-2 : 00pm

Position Description Title / PD# : Pipefitter / PD01857A

Physical Requirements : Incumbent works on ladders, scaffolds, platforms and hard to reach places. Works in locations and positions which are uncomfortable. Stands, stoops, kneels, climbs and lift objects weighing 50 lbs. or more, is exposed to scalding, bruises, abrasions and lacerations which could cause infections, rashes, and diseases. Exposure to noxious odors and fumes.

Working Conditions : Work is performed inside and outside and it is usually dirty, dusty and greasy. Often in extremely warm or cold environments. Assignments are required to be performed outside in inclement weather, crawl spaces, tunnels and other locations where the ambience is repugnant.

Requirements 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.

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.

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.

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 :

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.

Education

Additional Information

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.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA / Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job.

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related 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. 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.