This position is located within Facilities Management Service at the Portland VA Medical Center. The incumbent is responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of all Medical Center piping systems and related operations.

Duties

Repairs plumbing systems. The work involves installing, modifying, and repairing new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems. Repairs equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems and water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers. Works from building plans, blueprints, and sketches, to plan and lay out the routing, placement, slant, slope, fall, and proper operation, of systems and equipment. Uses tools and equipment such as plumb bobs, mercury gauges, dividers, closet augers and hydrostatic pumps. Install plumbing systems. Installs, modifies, and repairs systems by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper level and slope. Determines and installs valves, traps, and unions needed for proper operation systems. Installs equipment by 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, seating, hooking up, and testing the systems and equipment for proper pressures, leak-free joints, and operation. Install plumbing systems. Installs, modifies, and repairs systems by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper level and slope. Determines and installs valves, traps, and unions needed for proper operation systems. Installs equipment by 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, seating, hooking up, and testing the systems and equipment for proper pressures, leak-free joints, and operation. Installs, modifies, repairs, and maintains high temperature water and high-pressure piping systems such as hydraulic, nitrogen, oxygen, steam-heating, and steam-generating systems. Installs and repairs such items as steam generators, vacuum, air, water, and condensate pumps, radiators, automatic and manual valves and flash and expansion tanks. Piping systems include water, natural gas, high/medium/low pressure steam and condensate, medical gases, compressed air, heating and cooling, sewer, fire protection, irrigation, and deionized water. Sets up system routes, places and cuts route openings, installs regulating devices, and places hangers for proper pitch and elevation. Determines and installs 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. Reads and interprets blueprints, layout sketches, manufacturers' literature and specifications for sizing, estimating, installing, and repairing new or existing piping systems. Replaces sections of pipe, repairs steam traps and relief and control valves. Cuts, threads, and connects pipes by means of union, flanges, and sweating. Fits pipe sections by screwing, bolting, brazing, welding, gluing, fusing, and soldering. Tests systems and equipment for proper operation, circulation, flow, pressure, and leak-free joints. Traces and troubleshoots pipe lines, systems, and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots. Performs safety and preventive maintenance inspections of systems and equipment. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 07:00am to 3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD20799A Physical Requirements: Makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms, and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard-to-reach places. Stands, stoops, and bends, kneels, climbs and works in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Frequently handles, lifts, carries, and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 23 kilograms (50 pounds). Occasionally, lifts and carry items that weigh over 23 kilograms (50 pounds).

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Valid Driver's License required
• Certification Requirement ASSE 6040 within 6 month of hire date.

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 ability to do the duties of a Piper Fitter (Plumber) without more than normal supervision. These duties include: Inspects plumbing and pipefitting systems; inspects, tests, troubleshoots and performs routine maintenance and repairs of medical gas an medical vacuum systems required by NFPA 499, Standard for Healthcare facilities; inspects, tests, troubleshoots and routine maintenance of backflow prevention devices. 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. Ability to plan and? lay out the installation, modification, and repair of various new and existing piping systems and equipment. Ability to interpret and apply building plans and blueprints, and to use shop mathematics to lie out angles, arcs, and circles. Skill in any of the accepted trade methods and techniques. Ability to figure pipe, joint, and valve sizes needed to support pressures of systems, aligning pipes, valves, fittings, and joints for accurate match, and installing braces and supports to control movement and vibration to allow for expansion and contraction. Skill in the use of tools and equipment such as sliding squares, plumb bobs, star drills, grinders, pipe wrenches, oxygen acetylene welding equipment, hand and power pipe threaders and snakes, pipe cutters, flaring and swedging tools, power wrenches, drills, including core drillers and upright commercial drills and specialty tools of the trade. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Equipment Assembly, Installation, RepairInterpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)Measurement and LayoutTechnical PracticesTroubleshootingUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout 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. Working Conditions: Work is done inside and outside, and is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. Sometimes required to make installations and repairs in areas where bad smelling fumes are present. Frequently exposed to the possibility of uncomfortable heat conditions, live steam, and hot pipes. Frequently exposed to the possibility of strains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and infections. Occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Patricia Murphy
• Phone: (505) 265-1711 X3703
• Email: [email protected]