Summary Are you interested in a career in Plumbing? The position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Superintendent Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, Maintenance Division, Plumbing Branch. The Pipefitter serves as an expert with emphasis on landscape irrigation, performing troubleshooting, repairing and installing pipefitting system components in assigned Capitol Complex work sites that include extensive grounds and arboretum, monumental historic buildings with a complex infrastructure. Responsibilities Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday; 6am - 2:30pm Duties quotes at the WG-11; this is a Career Ladder Position requiring the employee to perform progressively more responsible duties and responsibilities on a gradual basis to develop journey level skills in Plumbing and Pipefitting (Landscape Irrigation) to the WG-11. Grounds Maintenance Utilizes the electronic Building Automation System (BAS) to install, monitor, diagnose, repair and maintain multifaceted, diverse vendor products as required to sustain the operations of the U.S. Congress and preserve heritage assets in a protective interior climate, including moisture-controlled preservation requirements related to piping systems. Calibrates a Hunter wireless valve controller and wireless valve programmer equipped with a solenoid that digitally programs zone watering requirements, including set points for starting and stopping and saturation levels. Operates Sentinel electronic controls to monitor the irrigation system of zones to turn water on and off at certain times and duration, monitoring the flow percentage of water used and alerting on malfunctions through sensors in the turf and flower-beds to avoid wasting water or under-watering. Adjusts the timing of all automated irrigation systems throughout miles of piping to meet seasonal requirements. Renovates fountains with new pumps, electronic controls, variable frequency drives and electronic automatic chlorine dispensers. Responsible for the installation of major 12 inch diameter, steel pipe for fire hydrant installations and repairs within the perimeter of the Capitol Grounds. Installs backflow preventers/backflow check valves, involving major excavation and the cutting and welding of steel pipe. Utilizes excavation equipment, including a Ditch-witch (for more than one mile of trenching), Bobcat, Tractors, Sewer Machine for catch basins, as well as the K50 snake. Ensures that fire hydrants meet D.C. Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) and AOC service testing requirements annually. Installs, maintains and repairs complex landscape irrigation systems including electronically controlled large output heads for drip irrigation tape. Performs, brazing, soldering and other hot work processes, such as welding in some jurisdictions, using accepted trade methods and a variety of manual hot work techniques to connect all types of commonly used metals in various shapes, sizes and thicknesses. Designs and installs piping and water delivery components; backflow prevention components; mechanical, hydraulic and electrical irrigation controls; and other irrigation system components. Troubleshoots and repairs irrigation components and systems. Collects site data in regards to landscape water requirements and use. Makes maintenance recommendations and performs minor repairs. Prepares installation sites, including layout, staking, excavation, boring, trenching, grading and backfilling. Identifies and implements system upgrades and modifications and manages the control system to provide the most efficient irrigation possible. Installs and maintains exterior drinking fountains. Responsible to maintain the historic exterior ornamental fountains throughout the Capitol campus. Coordinates performance with other skilled trades such as masons and electricians in conjunction with ongoing maintenance and preservation of ornamental fountains. Troubleshoots piping systems and related fixtures for water conservation efficiency. Environmental Waste Management Employees may require knowledge of hazardous (e.g. lead paint and solvents), universal (e.g. lamps and batteries and/or non-hazardous (e.g. oil and polychlorinated biphenyl) waste management requirements to ensure compliance with environmental regulations in performance of duties (e.g. decide hazardous material is no longer needed and will be disposed, select containers for waste accumulation, add waste to containers, label containers, move waste to and from waste accumulation sites, manage waste accumulation sites, provide waste management guidance/answer questions concerning waste management. Must follow all relevant safety rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures. Must utilize knowledge of and must comply with all OSHA and Office of compliance safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner. Receives training to ensure that all safety practices and equipment are fully utilized. Uses required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Performs other related duties as assigned. ****************************************************************************************** ** This position is designated as “Emergency/Essential” and will be required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather conditions and other emergency situations.** Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be able to pass a drug test. Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements. Requirements: To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below: A citizen of the United States; A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States. Qualifications You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. SCREEN-OUT: Ability to perform the work of the position without more than normal supervision which includes showing job responsibility and exercising initiative to include proper usage of tools and equipment of the trade; the order of assembling parts and what tools and equipment are needed; how to read blueprints, sketches and technical manuals to understand the functions of the parts or systems, to plan and lay out work and to aid in finding faulty parts or systems; repair techniques to be used including methods used in getting the right fit or tolerances; how to make adjustments and calibrations; and how to rebuild and make parts. WG-8: Performs troubleshooting, repair and installing plumbing systems and components. WG-10: Journey-level pipefitting experience to include installation or repair of irrigation systems. WG-11: Journey-level pipefitting experience to include installation or repair of irrigation systems and experience utilizing automated irrigation systems Education Additional Information Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#6. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test. The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc\_1185221678150.shtm The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol. All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.