This Pipefitter position is in the Utility Systems Section of the Engineering Service at the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks (VHSO), Fayetteville, Arkansas. This position modifies, maintains, and repairs a variety of high, medium, and low-pressure piping systems.
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: The Pipefitters make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places. This requires the Pipefitters to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The Pipefitters frequently handle, lift, carry, and set up parts and equipment that weigh up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Occasionally, the Pipefitters may lift and carry items that weigh over 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Work is done inside and outside. It is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. May be required to make repairs and installations outside in adverse weather conditions. Occasionally make repairs in areas where unpleasant odors are present. Subject to cuts, bruises, scrapes, sprains, and strains from handling tools and installing equipment. Subject to burns from hot components and solder. Required to wear safety clothing and equipment appropriate to the tasks being performed. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: 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 IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; 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.
Major duties and responsibilities include: Checking, troubleshooting, repairing, replacing all types of high, medium, and low-pressure piping and steam systems and equipment, fittings, pressure regulating valves, hand or automatic valves and auxiliaries of the steam distribution system, hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum and circulating pumps, radiators, dietetic steam-heated cookers, ovens, convectors, and various types of sterilizers in the hospital. Troubleshooting, repairing, and diagnosing problems with facility steam traps and heating control devices. Estimating necessary materials such as pipe or fittings and assemblies needed. Identifying and marking locations through which pipes will pass or be installed, works from mechanical drawings, specifications or manufacturing data and improvises/makes modifications to systems in compliance with all safety codes and regulations. Work involves aspects of plumbing including clearing clogged drain lines, replacing, or installing toilets, sinks, faucets, water fountains, water heaters, showers, bathtubs, eyewash stations and all aspects of pipefitting to include but not limited to piping, fittings, valves, fixtures, fire suppression systems, back flow prevention and controls. Performing preventative maintenance (PM) on all types of steam fixtures, piping systems, back flow preventors, following manufacturers and/or VA recommendations. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved