Plumbing Supervisor

About the Role

The Plumbing Supervisor oversees the plumbing staff within the Facilities, Planning, and Capital Construction department to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of plumbing systems, building piping, and lab air distribution systems. This includes managing on-campus water, gas, sewer, steam, and condensate return systems. The role involves training, instructing, and monitoring employees to diagnose and correct malfunctions while ensuring high-quality work.

This is an essential, on-site position requiring presence during campus emergencies to maintain critical operations. The employee must be available for after-hours work, on-call duties, and potential schedule changes based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, training, and mentoring to maintenance staff to support departmental and university goals.
• Develop, implement, and maintain safety programs, including OSHA compliance and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Supervise and coordinate daily maintenance operations, ensuring timely and efficient completion of work orders and repairs.
• Plan, prioritize, and allocate labor, materials, and equipment to meet maintenance objectives.
• Collaborate with vendors, contractors, and suppliers to procure materials and execute projects while monitoring performance and compliance.
• Offer technical guidance and hands-on instruction for troubleshooting complex mechanical, electrical, and building systems.
• Support maintenance training programs and maintain accurate documentation and records.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including understanding and utilizing work order management systems.

Requirements

• Associate degree (or equivalent experience in lieu of education).
• 3+ years of demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience in the preventive maintenance industry (or equivalent education).
• Valid Texas driver’s license (or ability to obtain within 30 days), with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past 36 months and no DWI/DUI convictions in the past five years.

Skills

• Proficiency in commercial plumbing repair, installation, and maintenance, including the use of tools like pipe wrenches, threading machines, and diagnostic devices.
• Ability to read and interpret plumbing blueprints, piping diagrams, and mechanical drawings.
• Strong knowledge of commercial plumbing systems (domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, natural gas, backflow prevention) and relevant codes (IPC, UPC, OSHA, NFPA).
• Experience diagnosing plumbing system malfunctions and determining corrective actions.
• Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and work order systems.
• Ability to supervise, coordinate, and evaluate plumbing staff and contractors while promoting safe work practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, contractors, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Organizational and time management skills to prioritize multiple assignments and emergency calls.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality workmanship and regulatory compliance.

Preferences

• College or trade school degree.
• 6+ years of supervisory experience.
• Texas Master Plumber License.
• Journeyman qualifications or equivalent in a technical craft (electrician, mechanic, air conditioning, plumbing, or pipefitting).
• Analytical skills and ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of transfer switches, bus ducts, and motors.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with word processing software, spreadsheets, and CMMS.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Capability to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding, and work in confined spaces with piping and wiring obstructions.
• Moderate to heavy physical activity, including bending, stooping, climbing, balancing, standing, and walking for up to 8 hours per day.
• Occasional entry into utility tunnels and confined spaces.

Physical Environment

• Exposure to high-pressure boilers, steam piping, high-voltage electricity, high noise levels, and rotating equipment.
• Work in mechanical rooms, tunnels, labs, attics, crawl spaces, non-conditioned spaces, and dusty, dirty, or wet conditions.
• Use of personal protective equipment (hearing protection, safety shoes, safety glasses).

Work Hours and Travel

• On-site, Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (schedule may change based on business needs, including overtime or daytime shifts).
• After-hours work or on-call availability may be required for emergencies affecting campus operations.
• Periodic travel to classes, conferences, and vendor sites may be needed.

Pay

Hiring salary range: $33.00 - $38.00 per hour, contingent upon qualifications and experience. This is a non-exempt (hourly) position eligible for overtime under FLSA.

Benefits

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. For details, visit Rice University Benefits.