Clarification from the agency

ALL US CITIZENS DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.201) for this occupation.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

Medical Gas Systems

• Maintains and repairs piped medical gas systems including oxygen, nitrous oxide, and vacuum systems.
• Responds to alarms, traces pressure drops, tests outlets with flow meters, and isolates faulty zones.
• Adjusts regulator pressures, calibrates alarm thresholds, and verifies flow rates at outlets.
• Coordinates with third-party vendors for annual certification and responds to deficiencies.

Liquid Systems

• Maintains and repairs domestic and process water systems, including potable water, RO/DI systems, and sanitary waste systems. Follows emergency water supply procedures.
• Installs, repairs, and maintains plumbing fixtures including water closets, tubs, showers, and sinks.
• Addresses plumbing issues such as sewer main backups, water leaks, and fixture failures.
• Lubricates pump bearings, flushes mixing valves, and monitors pump operation.
• Inspects pressure gauges, valves, and piping for leaks, corrosion, or damage using flashlights, mirrors, and thermometers.
• Replaces leaking pipe sections, failed pumps, and PRVs using appropriate joining methods, pipe wrenches, soldering tools, and thread sealant.
• Tests repaired lines for pressure integrity, verifies pump operation, and performs backflow preventer testing.
• Cleans sewer mains semi-annually using high-pressure jetters or mechanical augers.

Therapy pool

• Maintains and repairs therapy pool systems to ensure safe water quality and mechanical reliability.
• Cleans filters, lubricates pump bearings, and inspects chemical feed lines.
• Performs daily water chemistry testing for bromine, pH, and alkalinity; inspects motors, valves, and adjustable pool floor.
• Verifies pump and lift operation and maintains inspection logs for compliance with health and safety standards.

Irrigation Systems

• Installs, maintains and repairs below ground watering systems to include sprinklers and drip lines to ensure efficient water distribution for lawns and landscapes.
• Performs system startups, seasonable adjustments, troubleshooting malfunctions and programs controllers.

Fire Suppression Systems

• Maintains and repairs fire suppression systems in accordance with NFPA 25 and VA safety standards.
• Replaces sprinkler heads, valves, flow switches, and pipe sections using pipe wrenches and sealant.
• Adjusts pump pressure switches and calibrates alarm thresholds.
• Performs weekly/monthly fire pump tests, annual hydrant flushing, and alarm/flow switch verification.
• Documents all testing and maintenance activities; coordinates with contractors for annual NFPA inspections and 5-year internal pipe inspections.

General Maintenance

• Coordinates with contractors for large-scale projects.
• Ensures compliance with building codes and safety standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Position Description Title/PD#: Plumber/PD618-60860A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/02/2026.

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.

Preferred Experience:
1. General plumbing experience
2. Able to estimate materials needed for job
3. Able to solder copper pipe.
4. Troubleshoot and repair domestic hot and cold water systems
5. Interpret blueprints
6. Experience working with fire suppression systems
7. Experience working on medical gas systems
8. Experience working on compressed building air systems

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:

• Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Measurement and Layout
• Technical Practices
• Troubleshooting
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

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: Lifts and carries materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, occasionally weighing up to 100 pounds. Bends, kneels, crouches, and stands for extended periods. Uses hand and power tools requiring coordination and manual dexterity. Works in confined spaces and performs tasks that involve considerable physical effort.

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Working Conditions: Works in mechanical rooms, patient care areas, and outdoors, exposed to varying temperatures and weather conditions. Subject to noise, fumes, and vibrations from tools and equipment. Works in potentially hazardous environments, requiring adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection. Occasionally encounters biological and chemical hazards and follows stringent hygiene and safety practices.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents Required:

• Resume

Documents Accepted:

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application. Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Next steps