Plumber

About the role

The Certified Plumber performs plumbing work to ensure safe, functional, and efficient operation of water, drainage, heating, and specialized plumbing systems across all district facilities. This role plays a vital part in maintaining a healthy learning environment for students and staff, enforcing Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and Indiana Department of Health regulations, and ensuring compliance with local codes.

This is a non-exempt, hourly position reporting to the Assistant Director of Building Systems & Efficiencies. Standard hours are second shift, 8 hours per day, 2:30 PM – 10:30 PM, subject to supervisor shift assignments. The work year consists of 246 days (does not include holidays), beginning on the first weekday in July and ending 12 months later on the last weekday in June. Compensation is paid on the "Maintenance, Grounds & Supply" salary schedule, and the position is eligible for benefits on the "Support Staff" benefits schedule.

Essential Functions

• Core Plumbing & System Maintenance
  • Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain domestic hot/cold water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, fire sprinkler, and hydronic systems across all school buildings.
  • Maintain, repair, and service commercial boiler systems, pumps, valves, backflow preventers, closed loops, chillers, and cooling tower chemical treatments.
  • Service and replace commercial plumbing fixtures, including sensor-activated faucets, flushometers, water heaters, kitchen disposals, and dishwashers.
  • Work with diverse piping systems including PVC, PEX, copper (soldered/brazed), and cut/threaded steel pipe.
• Work Order Execution & Communication
  • Efficiently manage, prioritize, and complete daily work orders using the district's Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to ensure minimal disruption to the learning environment.
  • Provide clear, professional, and timely communication to school/district administrators, teachers, and facilities leadership regarding work order statuses, scheduled maintenance, and emergency repairs.
  • Accurately document labor hours, parts used, repair steps, and job closure details in the CMMS to maintain reliable facility performance records.
• K-12 Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
  • Manage drinking water quality controls, including compliance with Indiana lead testing mandates (IC 16-41-21.1) and maintaining NSF-certified point-of-use water filtration systems.
  • Respond promptly to emergency plumbing issues (e.g., pipe bursts, sewer backups) to minimize disruptions to school instructional time.
  • Experience with or knowledge of backflow.
• Safety & Risk Mitigation
  • Maintain strict adherence to OSHA regulations, the Indiana Plumbing Code, and district safety policies, including Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space Entry, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols.
  • Conduct regular safety inspections of plumbing tools, shop areas, and job sites to eliminate hazards for students, staff, and maintenance crews.
• Operational & Technology Management
  • Utilize the district's Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to log work orders, track preventive maintenance schedules, and manage parts inventory.
  • Read and interpret mechanical, structural, and electrical architectural blueprints and CAD drawings.
  • Collaborate with contractors and district staff on capital improvement projects, boiler replacements, and facility renovations.
• Budget & Inventory Management
  • Manage the district plumbing budget by accurately estimating job costs, tracking material expenses, and prioritizing cost-effective repairs versus replacement.
  • Maintain inventory control for plumbing parts, tools, and emergency stock, establishing reorder points to prevent project delays.
  • Source competitive quotes for plumbing supplies, specialized equipment, and third-party contractor services to maximize district resources.

Non-essential Functions

Other duties assigned by the Assistant Director of Building Systems & Efficiencies.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education & Experience
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Completion of an approved 4-year plumbing apprenticeship program, formal military trade training, or technical school training.
  • Minimum of 4 years of verifiable experience in institutional or educational facilities. Military service is applicable.
• Certifications & Licenses
  • Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester credential (Required or must obtain within 1 year).
  • Valid Indiana Driver's License with a clean driving record (Required).

Technical Skills & Professional Skills

• Comprehensive understanding of commercial plumbing safety, basic first aid, and OSHA standard practices for public facilities.
• Proficiency in digital work-order systems (CMMS), mobile facility applications, and basic Google Workspace / Microsoft Office.
• In-depth knowledge of current Indiana Plumbing Code and OSHA safety standards (including Lockout/Tagout and Confined Space entry).
• Strong understanding of preventive, predictive, and reactive maintenance methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage parts inventories, track work-order costs, and operate within an assigned operations maintenance budget.
• Demonstrated efficiency in operating CMMS software or digital ticketing systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with school staff, students, vendor partners, and community members.

Physical Requirements

• Movement & Dexterity: Constant standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling to access plumbing fixtures in hard-to-reach areas. Frequent use of hands and fingers to manipulate tools, fittings, and small components.
• Lifting & Carrying: Ability to regularly lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 lbs unassisted, and heavier loads (e.g., commercial water heaters or boiler components) with assistance or mechanical equipment.
• Working at Heights & Confined Spaces: Ability to work safely from ladders, scaffolding, aerial lifts, and within enclosed spaces (such as crawl spaces, pipe chases, or utility tunnels).
• Sensory Requirements: Visual acuity to inspect fine pipe threads, color-coded wiring, and chemical test strips. Hearing ability to detect water leaks, pressure variances, boiler warning alarms, and equipment irregularities.

Environmental Factors

• Work Location: Indoor and outdoor work environments across multiple school facilities, subject to varying weather conditions and temperature extremes (e.g., boiler rooms, unconditioned crawl spaces, or outdoor athletic fields).
• Exposure Hazards: Regular exposure to high-pressure hot water/steam, hazardous chemicals (boiler treatments, drain cleaners), noise from heavy equipment, dust, and raw sewage/sanitary waste.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Required to wear appropriate safety gear at all times, including safety glasses, work boots, protective gloves, ear protection, and respirators or specialized equipment when mandated by OSHA.

District Standards And Compliance

• Safe School Environment: Must maintain professional boundaries and ensure student safety during active work in occupied school buildings.
• Background Checks: Must successfully pass an expanded criminal history background check and an Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) background check prior to employment.
• Emergency Response: Willingness to be available on-call or respond to emergency plumbing failures outside standard operating hours.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.