Pipefitter

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; South Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston, SC, seeks a Pipefitter to install, repair and maintain high-pressure piping, steam, water, oil, gas systems, and related equipment.

You will interpret blueprints, follow codes, perform preventive maintenance, and respond to system failures in a demanding environment. Responsibilities include installing, modifying, and testing piping networks, reading drawings, and ensuring safety standards.

Qualifications

• Evidence of training or experience demonstrating ability to perform the duties; must be detailed on resume.
• Qualifications evaluated against OPM Federal Wage System standards.
• Physical requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds, working in all weather, exposure to dust, grease and oil.

Responsibilities

• Installs, modifies, troubleshoots, and repairs high-pressure piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, steam generation, and hydraulic systems.
• Tests systems and equipment for proper operation, circulation, flow, pressure, and leak-free joints.
• Reads and interprets blueprints and drawings; lays out, routes and installs/disrepairs sewage, water, oil and gas distribution systems; fixes bathroom fixtures and sprinkler systems.
• Performs preventative maintenance inspections and repairs.
• Works from blueprints; follows safety practices and uses PPE as required.

Skills

Pipefitting

Equipment installation

Troubleshooting

Blueprint reading

Safety compliance

High-pressure piping

Education

Journeyman plumbing license

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Summary

The incumbent is assigned to the Maintenance & Operations Section of the Engineering Service at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston - SC. The incumbent performs maintenance - repair - and installation on new and existing utility - supply - and disposal system i.e. sewage - water - oil - steam - gas distribution systems - fire sprinkler systems - medical equipment and dietic equipment - in addition performs all preventative maintenance and all equipment under his cognizance.

Summary

The incumbent is assigned to the Maintenance & Operations Section of the Engineering Service at the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston - SC. The incumbent performs maintenance - repair - and installation on new and existing utility - supply - and disposal system i.e. sewage - water - oil - steam - gas distribution systems - fire sprinkler systems - medical equipment and dietic equipment - in addition performs all preventative maintenance and all equipment under his cognizance.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/16/2026. 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 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 Requirements/Working Conditions: The incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders - scaffolding - platforms - and where the systems and equipment worked on are in hard to reach places. This requires him/ her to stand - stoop - bend - kneel - climb - and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. The incumbent frequently handles - lifts - carries - and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds - occasionally; he/she may lift and carry items that weigh over 50 pounds. Working Conditions: Incumbent must work in all conditions of weather; cold - rain - etc. Incumbent is exposed to dust - grease and oil. He/she is also required to make repairs and unstop sewer lines in areas where bad smelling fumes and sewer gases are present/ The incumbent is frequently exposed to the possibility of strains - cuts - scrapes - bruises - burns - and infections. He/she is occasionally exposed to the possibility of broken bones. Incumbent works both indoors and outdoors and is required to work in cramped spaces with low overheads - crowded spaces - and areas near machinery and cutting tools. Incumbent's work environment is often unpleasant - disagreeable or hazardous and requires protective clothing and gear - safety devices - safe trade practices and mental alertness at all times. Incumbent follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as ear devices - hard hats - hard-toe shoes - gloves - respirator - and protective clothing - as appropriate/required.

Duties

• Duties may include - but are not limited to Installs - modifies - troubleshoots - and repairs 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
• Incumbent installs - maintains and adjusts equipment such as meters - valves - compressors pumps - steam traps - grease traps - strainers - reducing valves - heating coils - radiators - automatic mixing valves - expansion tanks - dishwashers etc
• Incumbent tests systems and equipment for proper operation - circulation - flow - pressure - and leak free joints
• Traces and troubleshoots pipe - systems - and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots
• Incumbent performs preventative maintenance inspection of systems and equipment
• Incumbent works from blueprints and performs work using own judgment and decisions in order to plan - lay out - route and install/repair sewage - water - oil and gas distribution systems - bathroom fixtures - sprinkler systems or high-pressure piping systems
• The incumbent must be familiar with the provisions of the International Plumbing Code - National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 54 (National Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 99 (Heath Care Facilities Code) and sufficiently knowledgeable of the entire code to satisfactorily research special requirements or applications
• The incumbent must be able to read and write - to interpret blueprints - drawings or sketches - work instructions from various sources - and technical guides of varying degrees of complexity as furnished by government agencies or equipment manufacturers
• Work is assigned to the incumbent by the supervisor through work orders - engineering drawings or orally
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am-3:30pm
• Subject to change based on Agency Needs
• Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD07645A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized