Plumber

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

10d

About The Position

This position is in the Pipe Shop at the Minneapolis VA HealthCare System. The Pipe Shop installs, modifies, repairs, and maintains plumbing and piping infrastructure, including water, sewage, oil, and gas distribution systems, fire suppression systems, and medical gas systems. The Plumber installs, modifies, retrofits, repairs, and maintains these systems and ensures their proper operation in support of the facility's infrastructure and patient care areas.

The role maintains medical gas systems such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, and vacuum; domestic and process water systems; therapy pool systems; below-ground irrigation systems; and fire suppression systems. Work includes responding to system alarms, diagnosing faults, testing and adjusting equipment, replacing components, performing inspections and scheduled tests, and documenting maintenance. The Plumber coordinates with vendors and contractors for certifications, inspections, and large-scale projects, and follows applicable codes, standards, and safety procedures.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It involves work in mechanical rooms, patient care areas, and outdoors, with exposure to varying temperatures and weather, noise, fumes, vibrations, and potentially biological or chemical hazards. Physical work includes lifting and carrying materials and equipment, bending, kneeling, crouching, standing for extended periods, using hand and power tools, and working in confined spaces.

Requirements

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successful applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and must complete a pre-employment physical.
• Selected applicants must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• The position requires serving a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• No specific length of training or experience is required; applicants must demonstrate training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work, supported by detailed resume descriptions.
• Applicants are evaluated against a screen-out element and job elements including equipment assembly, installation and repair; interpreting instructions and specifications, including blueprints; measurement and layout; technical practices; troubleshooting; and use and maintenance of tools and equipment without more than normal supervision.
• Must be able to perform physical work including lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds; bending, kneeling, crouching, and standing for extended periods; using hand and power tools; and working in confined spaces.
• Must follow safety protocols and use personal protective equipment in potentially hazardous environments.

Nice To Haves

• General plumbing experience.
• Ability to estimate materials needed for a job.
• Ability to solder copper pipe.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing domestic hot and cold water systems.
• Ability to interpret blueprints.
• Experience working with fire suppression systems.
• Experience working on medical gas systems.
• Experience working on compressed building air systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair piped medical gas systems, including oxygen, nitrous oxide, and vacuum systems.
• Respond to medical gas alarms, trace pressure drops, test outlets with flow meters, and isolate faulty zones.
• Adjust regulator pressures, calibrate alarm thresholds, and verify outlet flow rates.
• Coordinate with third-party vendors for annual medical gas certification and address identified deficiencies.
• Maintain and repair domestic and process water systems, including potable water, RO/DI systems, and sanitary waste systems, and follow emergency water supply procedures.
• Install, repair, and maintain plumbing fixtures such as water closets, tubs, showers, and sinks; address sewer backups, water leaks, and fixture failures.
• Lubricate pump bearings, flush mixing valves, monitor pump operation, and inspect gauges, valves, and piping for leaks, corrosion, or damage.
• Replace leaking pipe sections, failed pumps, and pressure-reducing valves using appropriate joining methods and tools; test repaired lines and verify pump operation.
• Perform backflow preventer testing and clean sewer mains semi-annually using high-pressure jetters or mechanical augers.
• Maintain and repair therapy pool systems; clean filters, lubricate pump bearings, and inspect chemical feed lines, motors, valves, and the adjustable pool floor.
• Perform daily therapy pool water chemistry tests for bromine, pH, and alkalinity; verify pump and lift operation and maintain inspection logs.
• Install, maintain, and repair below-ground irrigation systems, including sprinklers and drip lines; perform system startups, seasonal adjustments, troubleshooting, and controller programming.
• Maintain and repair fire suppression systems in accordance with NFPA 25 and VA safety standards.
• Replace sprinkler heads, valves, flow switches, and pipe sections; adjust fire pump pressure switches and calibrate alarm thresholds.
• Perform weekly and monthly fire pump tests, annual hydrant flushing, and alarm and flow-switch verification; document testing and maintenance.
• Coordinate with contractors for annual NFPA inspections and five-year internal pipe inspections, as well as large-scale projects.
• Ensure compliance with building codes and safety standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on the position and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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