Position: Plumber

Report to:  Director of Public Buildings or Designee

Department: Public Buildings                                    

Affiliation: SEIU 

Salary range: Per SEIU Salary Schedule; $31.06 - $37.77 per hour

Summary:

The plumber provides plumbing/mechanical systems support to the Director; responsible for performing skilled level plumbing/mechanical work in the installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems, equipment, and fixtures in accordance with standards practice of the plumbing trade to the school and town’s public buildings.  Performs other related work or other maintenance requirements as directed.

This job requires initiative, organizational problem solving skills, and the ability to acquire knowledge of program operations, policies and procedures. Incumbents are expected to work independently and carry out plumbing work and facility management details without requiring the immediate attention of an administrator(s). 

General Performance Responsibilities:

• Perform all emergency repairs to city and school buildings and equipment.
• Perform preventative maintenance inspections.
• Keep Supervisor informed of the progress of the work and any significant developments as they occur.
• Keep all work areas free and clear of debris.
• Perform building security checks including boiler and refrigeration equipment.
• Assist in snow removal and ice prevention during inclement weather.
• Perform miscellaneous related duties as required by the Director of Public Buildings
• Maintenance functions include routine and emergency repairs and scheduled preventive services for all building systems. Availability as needed for weekend building checks, and on call services.

Primary Performance Responsibilities

• Install, repair and maintain the operation of plumbing fixtures and devices including, but not limited to automatic and manual faucets, automatic and manual flushometors, tempering water mixing valves, water bubblers and bottle fillers, shower valves, toilets, sinks, urinals etc.
• Diagnose, repair and maintain operation of commercial gas fired boilers and domestic hot water heaters.
• Install, diagnose and repair the operation of boiler command controls, gas burner ignitors, UV flame sensors, temperature and pressure safety valves, gas valves, combustion burner motors and mixed air linkage.
• Repair and installation of steam heating systems including steam traps, pneumatic radiator valves and actuators, fan and coil unit heaters, hot water and steam radiators, balancing and isolation valves. Repair, replace leaking/broken piping, fittings etc.
• Repair and or replace broken, worn or rotted fixture traps, sanitary waste piping, vent piping.
• Clear drains using electric and manual drain machines.
• Notice and correct piping schemes as needed to meet local plumbing codes.
• Responsibility of being on call 24/7 to handle immediate facility emergencies such as: pipe freeze-ups, gas leaks, water leaks, heating malfunctions, building alarms etc.
• Service, repair and installation of industrial fan motors, belt and pulley blower units.
• Servicing and repair of boiler feed tanks and steam condensate systems.
• Service and installation of grease interceptors and solids traps.
• Schedule and oversee the bi-annual testing of all water backflow devices and lead testing.
• Responsible for proper operation and repair of any failed backflow devices within specified deadlines.
• Repair and maintain operation of air compression systems which control the buildings pneumatic valve temperature system.
• Design, install and maintain portable water filtration systems.
• Design and install the rough and finish plumbing for commercial projects such as sinks, water bubblers, toilets, urinals, gas appliances, ejector pumps, etc. and submit the necessary plumbing and gas permits to the city’s inspectional department.
• Schedule rough and final inspections with the local plumbing inspector.
• Service commercial kitchen equipment including ovens, steam generators, gas ranges, food waste grinders, hot water boosters, ice machines etc.
• Ability to create new work orders in the department’s work order system and assign as needed. Complete assigned wok orders and document repairs and concerns with detailed descriptions and photos which also serves as a knowledge base reference.
• Oversee and supervise small and large plumbing and heating projects.
• Read and interpret blueprints.
• Experience with Building Management Systems (BMS) and how they function in relation to HVAC, Domestic hot water and steam systems.
• Respond and resolve requests relating to exterior building grounds, athletics, graduation ceremonies, transport etc.
• Research and collect quotes from vendors and large purchase items.
• Assist in the procedure of snow removal of public lots and grounds before, during and after a light to heavy snowstorm.
• Train newly hired maintenance employees as requested.
• Work independently or with others to achieve common workplace goals.
• Maintain a valid Massachusetts Plumbing and Gasfitters professional license as required by 248 CMR Plumbing and Gasfitters Massachusetts code.

Essential Functions of the Job

Must possess the ability to:

• Perform a wide variety of skilled Plumbing and Gas work in the maintenance and repair of City and School facilities and equipment.
• Read and interpret shop drawings, sketches, plans and specifications.
• Prioritize, schedule, assign and review work.
• Interpret, explain and apply codes, rules and regulations involved in assigned maintenance activities.
• Effectively and safely operate a variety of tools and equipment used in the electrical trade.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Estimate labor and material cost for specific projects.
• Make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.
• Work independently with minimal direction.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Maintain routine records.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices
• Use and operation of Computer and/or electronic devices to maintain assigned work.
• Safe operation of city vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications:           

• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Maintain a safe driving record
• Five (5) years of experience in the plumbing trade.
• Possess a current Massachusetts Journeyman Plumbing License.
• Thorough knowledge of all codes pertaining to the maintenance and installation of plumbing systems.
• Expertise with all matters relating to plumbing, heating, gas fitting, sprinklers, and sewer related issues.
• Demonstrated ability to perform a wide variety of skilled plumbing tasks using hand tools, power tools, and related equipment to maintain buildings and equipment as detailed in the Primary Performance Responsibilities.
• Possess basic computer skills, including ability to perform simple word processing and to send and receive email, access internet programs, and the willingness and ability to be trained on such items.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform basic math, understand written procedures, write routine documents and speak clearly. Understand multi-step written and oral instructions.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Work is performed both inside and outside and the employee may be subject to loud noise, exposure to extremes in temperature, inclement weather, dust, odors, cleaning chemicals and related fumes, etc.  Employee is subject to one or more hazards such as those associated with working power equipment, climbing ladders and working from scaffolding and aerial lifts. Regular and sustained periods of strenuous physical exertion. Operation of equipment that causes loud noise level and high vibrations.

May require the exercise of caution when operating equipment and handling chemicals or other toxic materials, and the utilization of proper sanitary precautions when handling trash, garbage, blood spills and other potential hazards.

Work is mutually mental and physical. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is required to bend at the waist, push, pull, move, lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds, twist/turn, climb ladders, shovel snow, seek to assure proper and complete cleaning, and use dexterity of hands and fingers to operate power equipment.

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.