Pipefitter

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, LA, seeks a Pipefitter under the Chief of the Maintenance and Operation Section.

The role emphasizes installing, repairing, and maintaining high‑pressure piping systems and related equipment, using blueprints and toolsets to ensure safe, reliable performance. Responsibilities include reading plans, fabricating components, and aligning systems, with a Monday–Friday schedule.

Qualifications

• Evidence of training or experience sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
• Applicants will be rated according to OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
• Screen-out element appears as question 1 in the online questionnaire; those lacking it are ineligible.
• Full year is considered 35–40 hours per week; part-time experience credited proportionally.

Responsibilities

• Figure pipe joints and valves sized to support system pressures.
• Operate machine tools to manufacture or re-machine parts (lathes, milling machines, drill presses, grinders).
• Install, modify, and repair high‑pressure piping and related systems.
• Work from building plans, blueprints, and sketches to plan routing and layout.
• Repair water, sewer, drainage, and gas distribution systems.
• Align pipes, valves, fittings, and joints for accurate match.
• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00am–3:30pm; subject to change based on facility needs.
• Work in environments that may be dirty, with hazards and heavy lifting.

Skills

Pipefitting

Blueprint reading

Equipment installation

Troubleshooting

Measurement and layout

Use and maintain tools

Technical practices

Tools

Lathes

Milling machines

Drill presses

Precision grinders

Job description

Summary

This position is located at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. The position serves as the Pipefitter under the general supervisor of the Chief - Maintenance and Operation Section.

Summary

This position is located at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. The position serves as the Pipefitter under the general supervisor of the Chief - Maintenance and Operation Section.

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: 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.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Figure pipe - joint - and valve sized needed to support pressures of systems
• Set up and operate machine tools such as small lathes - milling machines - drill presses - and precision grinders to manufacture component parts or re-machine existing parts such as bushings - bearings - seals - couplings - and pistons
• Install - modify - and repair new and existing high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating - steam generation - and hydraulic systems - steam generators - water tanks - fire suppression loop - flash and expansion tanks - condensate - vacuum - and circulating pumps - and radiators
• Work from building plans - blueprints - and sketches to plan and layout the routing - placement - pitch - elevation - pressure reduction - expansion - and operation of various piping systems and equipment
• Repair and keep in good working order outside water - sewer drainage and gas distribution systems (systems are composed of cast iron pipe with both mechanical and lead joints - copper - black steel - terra-cotta - and concrete pipe)
• Install - modify - and repair new and existing utility - supply - and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage - water - oil - and gas distribution systems and water closets - tubs - fire sprinkler systems - and showers
• Align pipes - valves - fittings and joints for accurate match
• Total Rewards Brochure: Pipefitter Work Schedule: Monday through Friday
• 7:00am-3:30pm
• Subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD07359A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: 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)
• Pipefitters are able to perform work while wearing a respirator or other breathing apparatus
• 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 and exposure to the hazardous materials
• Position will be subject to the hazards normally encountered in the trades work
• Position must be able to work during any emergency repair day or night - and work long hours until such job is accomplished or service to the medical center has been adequately restored.