Pipefitter

Veterans Health Administration • Amarillo, TX

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Pipefitter works in the Engineering Service, Maintenance and Repair Section of the Amarillo VA Health Care System. The role involves installation, modification, testing, maintenance, repair, inspection, troubleshooting, and correction of defects and malfunctions in facility piping systems. Systems include high- and low-pressure steam and condensate return, natural gas, medical gas, domestic and chilled water, waste and drainage, and water-based fire suppression, along with associated equipment. The position handles routine work and emergency maintenance and repair.

The incumbent performs work based on visual examinations, operational tests, and requests from the Maintenance and Operations Supervisor. Duties include maintaining and repairing medical gas systems and a range of commercial and residential plumbing fixtures, faucets, control valves, piping, and related components. The Pipefitter also coordinates with other trades to diagnose and repair system problems, documents inspections and work, manages work orders and materials, follows safety procedures including Lockout/Tagout, and keeps users informed about repairs and schedules. The position requires a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) license, which must be obtained within one year of hire; it is not required at the time of hire.

This is an essential position, and the incumbent must report during emergencies and inclement weather. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but is subject to change and may include holidays, weekends, and rotating shifts. The work involves physical activity and may take place on ladders, platforms, under equipment, in crawl spaces, in hot or difficult-to-access areas, and outdoors.

Requirements

• Provide evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to demonstrate the ability to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to perform pipefitting work, supported by detailed descriptions on the resume.
• Meet the screen-out requirement and demonstrate relevant competencies in 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.
• Obtain a TCEQ Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) license within one year of hire.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Be suitable for federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification documents.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Meet the VA Health Care Personnel seasonal influenza vaccination requirement or obtain a medical or religious exemption; face masks are required when an exemption is granted.
• Meet the physical demands of walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling moderately heavy loads up to 50 pounds, and occasionally heavier loads with assistance; work may require standing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and working in uncomfortable positions.

Responsibilities

• Install, modify, test, maintain, repair, and inspect piping systems and associated equipment throughout the facility.
• Analyze defects, troubleshoot systems, and correct malfunctions in steam, condensate return, natural gas, medical gas, domestic and chilled water, waste, drainage, and water-based fire suppression systems.
• Maintain, modify, and repair medical gas piping, outlets, fittings, manifolds, and systems.
• Install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot plumbing fixtures, including toilets, urinals, sinks, lavatories, tubs, showers, physiotherapy equipment, safety showers, eyewashes, bedpan sanitizers, and digesters.
• Install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot plumbing faucets and control valves.
• Maintain, repair, replace, and install sanitary and storm waste lines, vent lines, and drainage lines.
• Coordinate with other crafts and trades to diagnose and repair piping problems, including HVAC and dietetic equipment issues.
• Keep work sites clean and safe, and secure tools, equipment, chemicals, and materials to prevent risks to patients, staff, employees, and the public.
• Open and close work orders; record time, materials, costs, and work completed; and coordinate with the Generic Inventory Program clerk to maintain adequate material stock.
• Document inspections, repairs, vendor repairs, and other work for equipment histories and the Preventative Maintenance Program.
• Determine when systems or equipment are unsafe or unreliable, remove them from service until repaired, and provide temporary alternatives as needed.
• Follow applicable safety precautions and apply and document Lockout/Tagout procedures when required.
• Keep affected users informed and schedule non-emergency repairs to minimize service outages, providing temporary resources when possible.
• Obtain a TCEQ-issued BPAT license within one year of hire and test facility backflow prevention devices annually; remove devices that fail testing from service, repair them, and retest.
• Report to work during emergencies and inclement weather.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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