About this role
Job SummaryIncumbent will be assigned to the HVAC shop at the Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, New York. Work consists of installing, modifying, repairing and maintaining new and existing HVAC piping systems and equipment such as steam heating, refrigeration, circulating pumps, motors, condensers, and evaporator coils.
QualificationsTo 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.
Major DutiesDuties may include, but are not limited to: Maintain & modify facility wide refrigeration and piping systems. Repair, Maintain, Modify & Install new and existing utility, refrigeration piping systems. Knowledge of various piping systems containing refrigerants and the refrigeration cycle in a variety of applications to locate faults in equipment such as walk in coolers, chillers, split systems, window air conditioners, freezers, heat pumps, roof top units and other related refrigeration systems. Install new piping systems for facility wide HVAC refrigeration, heating, and ventilation systems. Installs equipment by completing the routing and placement of systems leading to the equipment, and seating, hooking up, and testing the equipment. Maintain & modify facility wide piping systems. Complete repairs in confined areas in and around air handlers, pipes, pumps, motors, and refrigeration machinery. Reads and interprets blueprints, layout sketches, manufacturers' literature and specifications for sizing, estimating, installing and repairing new or existing piping systems. Cuts, threads, and connects pipes by means of union, flanges, and sweating. Fits pipe sections by screwing, bolting, brazing, welding, gluing, fusing, soldering, and caulking connections by forcing oakum and molten lead into joints. Trace and troubleshoot pipelines, systems and equipment to locate and repair leaks and trouble spots Perform safety and preventive maintenance inspections of systems and equipment. Work Schedule: Full-Time, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday - Friday, Position Description Title/PD#: Pipefitter/PD21I43A Physical Requirements: The incumbent is required to work in confined areas in and around HVAC Piping/Air Handler units, steam piping, refrigeration piping. The work requires moderate to strenuous efforts and long periods of walking, climbing, crouching and bending. Physical effort may include squeezing into and crawling through tight spaces for a limited amount of time. Workers frequently carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 Ibs unassisted, occasionally items weighing over 40 lbs with the assistance of weight-lifting equipment and/or other workers.RequirementsU.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.