Pipefitter

Description:

This position serves as the Pipefitter (Plumbing) for the Facilities Management Service (FMS) at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) under the supervision of the Pipefitter Supervisor. The incumbent is required to work independently or with little or no supervision and resolve problems associated with the work of the office.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

General: The work involves installing, modifying, and repairing new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, steam generation, and hydraulic systems, steam generators, flash and expansion tanks, condensate, vacuum, and circulating pumps, and radiators. The pipefitters work from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan and lay out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion, and operation of various piping systems and equipment. They install, modify, and repair systems like those described above by setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper pitch and elevation, and determining and installing such things as risers, flexible branches, expansion joints, pumps, gauges, and pressure regulators in the combination needed to support the pressures of the systems and that ensure the proper operation of the systems. The pipefitters also install equipment like that described above by planning and completing the routing and placement of systems leading to the equipment, determining and placing the equipment at the proper levels and points in the systems, and joining, sealing, and testing systems and equipment for proper pressures, leak-free joints, and operation.

Skill and Knowledge: The pipefitters are required to have a knowledge of how various high-pressure piping systems and equipment, such as steam heating, steam generation, and vacuum systems, radiators, and circulating pumps, are installed and operate. For example, the pipefitters must know how relief valves, check valves, pressure regulators, expansion joints, and other pressure supporting and controlling devices are installed and how they operate to control increases and decreases in pressure, flow, circulation, and expansion in the systems. The pipefitters must have the ability to plan and lay out the installation, modification, and repair of various new and existing piping systems and equipment. The pipefitters, for example, must be able to lay out and install various kinds of piping, risers, and flexible branches at the proper level and incline; determine the placement and elevation and install steam generators, vacuum and condensate pumps, and radiators; and replace heat exchangers, flash and expansion tanks, and automatic and manual control valves. The pipefitters must have the ability to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints, and to use shop mathematics to lay out angles, arcs, and circles. The pipefitters must have skill in any of the accepted trade methods and techniques, for example, figuring pipe, joint, and valve sizes needed to support pressures of systems, aligning pipes, valves, fittings, and joints for accurate match, and installing proper braces and supports to control movement and vibration and allow for expansion and contraction. The pipefitters must also have skill in the use of tools and equipment such as sliding squares, measuring tapes, dividers, chalklines, plumb bobs, templates, star drills, grinders, flangers, hand and power pipe threaders and cutters, and pipe wrenches.

Physical Effort: 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). Working Conditions: The work is done inside and outside, and is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. The pipefitters are sometimes required to make installations and repairs in areas where bad smelling fumes are present. There is frequent exposure to the possibility of uncomfortable heat conditions. The pipefitters are frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and infections. They are occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones. The pipefitters test systems and equipment after completing work for proper circulation, flow, pressure, and leak-free joints. The supervisor checks the pipefitters= overall work to see that it meets accepted trade standards.

Responsibility: The supervisor assigns work orally and through work orders, building plans, and blueprints. The pipefitters plan and lay out the needed routing, placement, pitch, incline, and elevation of systems and equipment. The pipefitters figure pressures in the systems and see that the piping, valves, fittings, and equipment are proper for the work. The pipefitters complete installations, modifications, and repairs with little or no check during their progress or upon completion.


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:

• Plumbing and Pipefitting
• Problem Solving
• Self Management

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.