Plumber (Revised)

Posting Number:0602965

Recruitment Type:Open to All Applicants

Position Title:Plumber (Revised)

Position Type:Staff

Benefits Status:Benefits Eligible

FLSA:Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:$32.00-$35.00 per hour, plus excellent benefits.

Location

Tacoma, WA 98447.

Department:Facilities Management

Posting Date:06/02/2025

Closing DateWhen a sufficient number of qualified applicants has been identified.

Work Schedule:

Full-time, Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm. Some evening and weekend work is required.

Beyond regular scheduled hours, this position requires participation in an on-call shift rotation to address needs outside of standard business operations. Specifics of the rotation schedule will be discussed during the interview process.

(Note: some overtime is required and vacation approval is limited during peak activity periods)

General Description:

As a Plumber at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), you'll play a vital role in maintaining the essential plumbing infrastructure across our campus. This position is crucial for ensuring safe and operational building systems, encompassing everything from water and drainage to swimming pool equipment, kitchen equipment, pumps, manholes, and sewer lines. By keeping these critical systems running smoothly, you'll directly support the Physical Plant's objectives and facilitate the daily operations that benefit PLU's diverse community of students, staff, and faculty. This position reports to the Maintenance Manager.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Assemble, install, and repair pipes, fittings, and fixtures for water and drainage systems. This includes maintaining and repairing all building plumbing components, fixtures, and equipment.

Maintain and repair swimming pool equipment, focusing on circulating pumps, chlorinators, and sand filters. You will also manage pool chemistry.

Ensure the proper water, drainage, and steam supply for all kitchen equipment, integrated into overall building plumbing system maintenance.

Operate and maintain various pumps, campus manholes, and sewer lines.

Implement and manage a continuous preventative maintenance program, including tasks like maintaining and replacing heater filters.

Obtain and keep current your Backflow Assembly Tester and Repair certification, along with a Boiler certification (Grade 4 or higher).

Assist with the maintenance and repair of fire riser and fire suppression systems.

Maintain the pump and piping at the campus fountain.

Work closely with the Parkland Light and Water District on PLU's needs, planned outages, and emergency operations.

Perform all work according to manufacturer specifications, departmental guidelines, trade best practices, blueprints, shop drawings, and schematics.

Provide occasional support in other areas of the Physical Plant, performing tasks not specific to your trade when needed.

Interact and cooperate effectively with all personnel, including coworkers and members of the campus community.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of standard plumbing tools, materials, and trade practices, including manufacturer's specifications, department guidelines, blueprints, shop drawings, and schematics.

Thorough understanding of all relevant safety standards and work practices, especially those related to hazardous conditions like chlorinators.

Proficiency in the installation, maintenance, and repair of pipes, fittings, fixtures, and all related plumbing systems, including specialized equipment like swimming pool pumps/chlorinators, kitchen equipment (water/drainage), various pumps, manholes, and sewer lines.

Skilled in developing and implementing preventative maintenance programs.

Ability to read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, and schematics.

Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to perform emergency repairs across various systems.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and the diverse campus community.

Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.

Initiative and strong teamwork skills.

Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds across campus.

Required Qualifications:

Licensed journeyman plumber or at least five years of plumbing experience.

High School Diploma or GED.

Valid driver's license (Must have had a valid driver's license for at least 2 years).

Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background checks, driving abstract, and pass PLU's Driver's Certification Training.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of heating and cooling systems and fire protections systems.

Knowledge of computer operation and technology is highly desirable.

Backflow assembly tester certification.

Class IV Boiler Fireman license.

Work Conditions:

Work conditions vary considerably; employee may often be exposed to hot, dry, and dusty conditions, or sometimes to cold, wet, and/or humid conditions.

Work is often around very heavy equipment with large awkward tools.

Employee may occasionally work in high places.

Employee may be exposed to hazardous conditions; i.e., fire boxes, relief valves, hot pipes, gas lines, hazardous chemicals.

Noise level is sometimes high.

Some overtime is required, and vacation approval may be limited during peak activity periods.

Employee must adhere to all safety standards and work practices established by Facilities Management.

Physical Requirements:

Physical ability to bend, stoop, and lift.

Ability to work in various working conditions including hot/cold, dry/wet/dusty, noisy

environments, and handle unpleasant odors.

The employee is regularly required to stand and walk, and may occasionally be required to climb, balance, or work in cramped areas.

Requires good physical strength.

The employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift or

move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

Good hearing and vision are required.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Other Information:

PLU is a small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities.

PLU offers an excellent benefits package including tuition remission for employees and their dependents, retirement plan, medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave, major holidays off (including Christmas/New Year's break), additional flexible time off, and many other great university benefits. PLU is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a 501(3) tax-exempt organization. Click here for detailed benefits information.

For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at ... or ....