Plumber at US Veterans Health Administration
Johnson City, Tennessee, USA -
Full Time


Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Sep, 25

Salary

30.96

Posted On

10 Aug, 25

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

No

Skills

Universities, Credit, Training, Blueprint Reading, Agility, It, Specifications

Industry

Hospital/Health Care

Description

SUMMARY

The WG-9 Plumber position is assigned to one of the three Maintenance Units within the Engineering Service of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. The incumbent performs a variety of tasks involved in the upkeep and repair of building, grounds, and related structures, fixtures, and utilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/12/2025.
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:

  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Physical Strength and Agility
  • Shop Practices
  • Use Hand Tools - Machine Shop
  • Without more than normal supervision
  • Work Practices

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management’s website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

EDUCATION

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Troubleshooting

USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
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.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Responsibilities

DUTIES

Major duties include but not limited to:

  • Incumbent must have a comprehensive knowledge in the testing and repairing of backflow assemblies.
  • The incumbents’ work shall also include installation, maintenance repair, or replacement on piping that serves HVAC systems, up to the point where the piping enters the HVAC equipment.
  • Incumbent must connect threaded pipe, mechanical joints, compression fittings, and other coupling devices and will also perform brazing at appropriate times and according to accepted trade codes.
  • Incumbent must have the skill to interpret and analyze data from recorders, gauges, computers, meters, etc. and make required adjustments to controls to maintain safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operation of the utility systems.
  • Incumbent must have the skill to use a vast assortment of hand tools, pipe threaders, hammer drills, core drills, and other tools of the trade.
  • The incumbent shall routinely prepare requests for parts, materials, and operating supplies using manufacturers pamphlets or commercial trade catalogs.
  • The incumbent, by accepted trade methods and techniques, must independently plan and layout installations and modifications of various piping systems and equipment.
  • Incumbent works from building plans, blueprints, sketches to plan and lay out the routing, placement, pitch, elevation, pressure reduction, expansion and operation of various piping systems and equipment.
  • The incumbent shall maintain, repair and/or install all forms of piping and related systems.
  • The incumbent shall maintain and repair systems and equipment such as, but not limited to the following: supply and distribution systems for domestic potable hot and cold water; condensate and condensate return lines; medical gas, air and vacuum piping and pumps; compressors; de-ionized and other process water lines and systems; internal and external soiled and waste pipe; external water mains and roof and storm drainage systems and all related devices and equipment such as drains, drain traps, clean-outs, faucets, lavatories, water closets, showers, tubs, grease traps, urinals, drinking fountains, surgical scrub sinks and other associated valves, pump systems, etc.
  • Incumbent shall have and be able to demonstrate basic plumbing skills and knowledge.
  • Incumbent must have a complete and thorough knowledge of the facility plumbing system and take immediate corrective action to ensure continued service, and avoid adverse conditions such as flooding caused by stoppages and/or plumbing failures.
  • The incumbent may be required to troubleshoot and solve problems with specialty supply lines, such as medical oxygen, medical air, vacuum lines, and nitrogen lines.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Position Description/PD#: Plumber/PD602830
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

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:

  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Physical Strength and Agility
  • Shop Practices
  • Use Hand Tools - Machine Shop
  • Without more than normal supervision
  • Work Practice

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading)
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Troubleshootin
Loading...