Facilities & Construction - Plumber Lead

Position Summary

The Plumber Lead is responsible for installing, maintaining, repairing, inspecting, and operating plumbing, piping, drainage, water distribution, sanitary sewer, and related mechanical systems throughout Sacred Heart University's campus. The position ensures that all plumbing systems operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal codes while supporting the University's commitment to providing a safe, comfortable, and reliable environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The Plumber Lead performs preventive and corrective maintenance, responds to emergency service calls, assists with renovation and construction projects, and collaborates with other Facilities personnel to maintain campus infrastructure and support institutional objectives.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintains and repairs plumbing systems serving academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities, dining facilities, laboratories, administrative offices, and campus support buildings.
• Responsible for diagnosing and resolving issues involving domestic water, sanitary waste, storm drainage, natural gas piping, pumps, fixtures, valves, water heaters, backflow prevention devices, and related equipment.
• Performs preventative maintenance inspections to maximize system reliability and reduce operational disruptions.
• Responds to emergency situations including leaks, pipe failures, sewer backups, water quality concerns, and equipment malfunctions.
• Supports campus renovation and capital improvement projects by reviewing plans, installing piping systems, coordinating utility shutdowns, and ensuring code compliance.
• Documents work performed, labor hours, materials used, and equipment history.
• Works independently with minimal supervision while coordinating with Facilities, Public Safety, contractors, vendors, and project managers.
• May provide technical guidance and mentoring to maintenance technicians, apprentices, and other Facilities personnel.
• Participates in an on-call rotation and may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during campus emergencies.
• Thorough knowledge of plumbing principles, practices, materials, methods, and tools.
• Comprehensive understanding of Connecticut State Plumbing Codes, building codes, health regulations, and safety standards.
• Understanding of plumbing-related mechanical equipment including pumps, water heaters, pressure-reducing stations, expansion systems, and water treatment components.
• Familiarity with blueprint reading, schematics, specifications, and construction documents.
• Perform other tasks assigned by the manager in response to the needs of the university.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Connecticut P-2 or P-1 Plumbing License required.
• High school diploma or GED required; completion of an accredited HVAC technical school program, trade school certificate, or equivalent vocational training preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible plumbing experience in commercial, institutional, healthcare, higher education, or industrial facilities.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Backflow Prevention Certification. 
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification. 
• Knowledge of steam, hydronic, and mechanical building systems.
• Experience supporting renovation and construction projects.
• Ability to install, repair, maintain, and test plumbing systems and components.
• Skilled in diagnosing system failures and determining effective corrective actions.
• Proficient in pipe fitting, soldering, brazing, threading, welding coordination, and fixture installation.
• Ability to perform inspections and compliance testing of plumbing systems.
• Competence in operating plumbing equipment, drain-cleaning machines, pipe threading equipment, leak detection devices, and testing instruments.

Unusual Working Conditions

• Works in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments under varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and humidity.
• Regularly works in confined spaces, crawl spaces, tunnels, utility vaults, mechanical rooms, construction areas, and other restricted-access locations.
• May be exposed to wastewater, sewage systems, domestic water systems, chemical treatment equipment, dust, dirt, odors, noise, vibration, and potentially unsanitary conditions.
• May be exposed to cleaning agents, solvents, adhesives, fluxes, fuels, and other chemicals associated with plumbing and maintenance operations.
• Performs physically demanding work requiring prolonged standing and walking; climbing ladders, scaffolding, lifts, and stairs; and frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and working in awkward positions.
• Regularly lifts, carries, pushes, and pulls tools, equipment, materials, and piping components weighing up to 50 pounds independently, with assistance or mechanical lifting devices used for heavier items.
• May work around energized mechanical equipment, pressurized piping, natural gas systems, hot water systems, and steam-related infrastructure.
• Required to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, protective footwear, respirators, and other safety equipment as required.
• Must be available to respond to emergency service calls and participate in an on-call rotation, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, severe weather events, and other emergency campus operations.
• May be required to perform or support planned utility shutdowns outside normal business hours to minimize disruption to University operations.

Pre-Employment Requirements

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51v, applicants selected for this position will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of both the background check and drug test.