Summary As the Plumber, you will be located in the VA Construction Section of the Facility Management Service of the VA Caribbean Healthcare, San Juan, Puerto Rico. You will be assigned to complete tasks for the maintenance and repair of the facility, equipment, and structure by installing, modifying, and repairing new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment; and plan the lay out for the installation and modification of various systems and equipment. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Studies plans given by the supervisor; makes sketches of the layout of the work; mark spots for openings in walls, ceilings, and floors through which pipes are to pass or in which equipment is to be installed. Prepares assemblies for installation by cutting, threading, and bending pipes; determines and marks guidelines; cuts or bends points on pipe section; places and connects air, sewage, and water fixtures and facilities such as hydrants, water main, lavatories, sinks and stoves; installs and repairs water and steam main control valves. Test piping after installation or repairs are made to eliminate leaks. Installs plumbing systems, modifies and repairs systems by locating and tapping main lines, setting up system routes, placing and cutting route openings, placing hangers for proper level and slope. Selectee will perform work in areas that are currently undergoing construction and asbestos abatement may be performed. Selectee will diagnose problems and assist to perform emergency repairs to electrical equipment as necessary, and must follow blueprints, sketches and work order of items to be constructed/altered using selectee's own initiative. Repairs plumbing systems, the work involves installing, modifying, and requiring new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems, and chilled water air conditioning components. Repairs equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems and water closets, tubs, fire sprinkler systems, and showers. Work Schedule: 6:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Plumber/PD12215A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Pre-employment physical required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/11/2024. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Measurement and Layout Technical Practices Troubleshooting Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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. Physical Requirements: Selectee must be able to climb from ladders, scaffolding and platforms where the systems are hard to reach. Selectee has to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Lifts weight up to 40lbs. and occasionally may left and carry items over 40lbs. Working Conditions: The work is done inside and outside and is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. The employee is sometime required to make repairs and installations outside in bad weather. The plumbing workers occasionally make repairs in areas where bad smelling fumes are present. The plumbing workers have occasional exposure to the possibility of broken bones. The employees also have frequent exposure to the possibility of scrapes, burns, and infections. Selectee must be able to use shop mathematics, interpret blueprints, construction diagrams and drawings; and should possess knowledge in the process and handling of asbestos abatement. Selectee will perform work in areas that are currently undergoing construction and asbestos abatement may be performed. The employees will diagnose problems and assist to perform emergency repairs as necessary, and must follow blueprints, sketches, and work orders of items to be constructed/altered, using selectee's own initiative. Selectee shall understand that the work is performed in a hospital environment, thus flexibility and adaptability are expected. The work or project assigned shall be executed and coordinated in a way that will minimize the impact to the service provided to VA patients, visitors and/or employees. Performing work during a second or third shift is typical. Cross-training among disciplines is provided to increase and maintain the Construction Section construction capability. The selectee will perform/support other construction disciplines as required. The selectee will perform construction work in general; various protective devices such as hard hats, gloves, safety shoes, and glasses are used. Education Additional Information The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.