Pipefitter

Description:

The Pipefitter position is in the Facility Management Service at the VA Maine Healthcare System located at the Augusta, ME location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.

Requirements:

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:

• 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 Effort: Required to make repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, platforms, and other hard-to-reach places. This requires the incumbent to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods of time. The work requires frequently lifting and carrying of tools, equipment, and parts that weigh up to 50 pounds and, less often, over 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Exposed to a variety of weather conditions, both in the winter and summer, making repairs and installations on exterior work sites. During emergency repairs, extremes of bad weather are sometimes present. Many work sites are hot, cold, slippery, wet, dirty, dusty, greasy, poorly lit, cramped, and with unpleasant odors. Work locations include elevated platforms, man-holes where they are exposed to the danger from explosions of equipment and cables, high-voltage electrical shocks and burns. Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to work in the vicinity of asbestos containing materials necessitating the wearing of protective clothing and breathing masks. They may also be called upon to work extended periods of time to support emergency situations and power outages and may also be subject to call backs. The incumbent must work in a safe manner, wear appropriate PPE, and follow all applicable safety policy and practices.