Pipefitter Supervisor

Veterans Health Administration • Queens, NY

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Pipefitter Supervisor is the foreman of the Plumbing Shop in the Maintenance and Repair Section of Engineering Service at the VHA New York Harbor Brooklyn Healthcare System. The position supervises pipefitters and plumbers and is assigned to a duty station within the NYH facilities. The supervisor reports to the Maintenance and Repair Section Chief, with the Assistant Chief as the second-level supervisor. At full staffing, the position directly supervises four or more WG-09 Plumbers and six or more WG-10 Pipefitters.

The position is responsible for the effective and efficient operation and maintenance of gas systems and equipment, steam heating and generation systems, vacuum systems, radiators and circulation pumps, sewerage systems, pressure steam systems and associated parts, hot water generators, sterilizers, heating systems, fire suppression systems, pneumatic tube systems, and medical and non-medical gas equipment. The supervisor lays out and installs piping, risers, and flexible branches; determines placement and elevation for equipment; and installs or replaces steam generators, vacuum and condensate pumps, radiators, heat exchangers, flash and expansion tanks, and control valves. Installation, maintenance, and repair of these systems and equipment are within the position’s responsibility.

The supervisor independently diagnoses, plans, and completes projects and work orders involving major systems. The role uses the work order system and reports metrics such as preventive maintenance completion, corrective maintenance turnaround time, and compliance with service documentation standards. It coordinates work with Medical Center departments and external vendors and contractors, and plans work to avoid unnecessary service interruptions in patient areas. During heavy workloads or special projects, the supervisor coordinates and may work alongside other trades, including carpenters, painters, AC mechanics, electronic mechanics, and maintenance mechanics.

The position supports and explains management programs, recommends performance ratings, training, and changes to performance standards, advises and counsels employees on trade techniques, and investigates and informally resolves grievances and complaints. Other duties may be assigned. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• Demonstrated training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Provide detailed resume descriptions supporting knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties.
• Ability to perform work assessed against job elements including equipment assembly, installation and repair; interpreting instructions and specifications, including blueprint reading; measurement and layout; technical practices; troubleshooting; and using and maintaining tools and equipment without more than normal supervision.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successful completion of required background/security investigation and pre-employment physical.
• Ability to complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification; beginning May 7, 2025, state identification used for employment must be REAL ID compliant.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel requirement.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Physical capability to lift and carry objects up to 100 pounds, use scaffolds and ladders, work in confined or awkward positions and other challenging locations, and perform considerable standing, stooping, bending, walking, climbing, and other strenuous movements.
• Ability to respond to emergencies, access equipment locations and controls throughout the Medical Center, and safely move materials to and from job sites.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors, including areas exposed to extreme heat or cold and hazards such as dust, dirt, chips, soot, noise, high-pressure steam, combustible or explosive materials and gases, and toxic agents.
• Proper use of issued personal protective equipment, including uniform, safety shoes, eye protection, and respirator or dust mask when required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and direct the work of the Plumbing Shop, including pipefitters and plumbers.
• Oversee operation, maintenance, installation, and repair of the facility’s gas, steam, vacuum, sewerage, heating, fire suppression, pneumatic tube, and related systems and equipment.
• Lay out and install piping, risers, and flexible branches; determine equipment placement and elevation; and install or replace specified generators, pumps, radiators, heat exchangers, tanks, and valves.
• Independently diagnose, plan, and complete projects and work orders involving major systems.
• Use the work order system and report preventive maintenance completion, corrective maintenance turnaround time, and service documentation compliance metrics.
• Coordinate work with Medical Center departments and outside vendors, contractors, and service agencies.
• Plan work to minimize unnecessary interruptions of service to patient-care areas and the Medical Center.
• Coordinate with other trades during heavy workloads and special projects, and assist those employees in their trades when required.
• Support and explain management programs; recommend performance ratings, training, and changes to performance standards.
• Advise and counsel workers on trade techniques and investigate and informally resolve grievances and complaints.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package is available; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Eligible selected applicants may request consideration of prior work or military service for annual leave accrual credit; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed