Ship Plumber

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Job Description

A Glimpse of the Job

The Ship Plumber is a member of the ship's crew and is employed by the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. This role is crucial for supporting the practical training of future maritime professionals, specifically Third Mates and Third Assistant Engineers. The Ship Plumber also plays a vital part in maintaining the vessel's operational readiness, ensuring it remains in ROS-5 status for potential active service outside of its training duties.

Essential Duties/Tasks:

The physical demands of a Ship Plumber are significant. The job requires the ability to lift heavy equipment, work in confined and noisy spaces, and navigate the moving, often narrow, passages of a vessel. A Ship Plumber must be skilled in maintaining and repairing a wide range of systems, including:

• Fresh and Potable Water System Operations - Ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the ship's drinking water supply. This includes the operation and maintenance of the freshwater distillation systems, the pressurizer systems for potable and non-potable fire water. It also includes repair maintenance and installation of sinks, faucets, and other miscellaneous plumbing fixtures and equipment.

• Wastewater and Drainage System Operations - Managing the blackwater (sewage) and graywater (drainage) systems, including pumps, treatment plants, and tanks. This includes the operation and maintenance of the suction toilet collection system including lift stations and ejectors, toilets, piping, grey water piping, and the marine sanitation treatment plant in accordance with all local, national, and internation regulations.

• HVAC and Refrigeration Maintenance - While not a dedicated refrigeration engineer, a Ship Plumber may be required to assist with or perform maintenance on related piping systems.

• Fire Suppression System Maintenance - Assisting with the maintenance of fire suppression systems and related piping. This includes the high fog sprinkler system, the forced fire main system and related pumps, pressurizers, valves, fire stations, and other miscellaneous related equipment.

• Troubleshooting and Other - Overall, a Ship Plumber must be a highly adaptable problem-solver, capable of working independently and as part of a team to ensure the ship's vital systems are always in working order. Performs other duties as assigned.

What you need to know

Salary: $40.87/hourly

Special Instructions: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload these in the CV/Resume section.

Required Education and Experience:

• Formal plumbing education from a trade school or technical college is essential, practical experience is paramount
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in plumbing

Required Licenses and Certifications

• U.S. Regular Passport (also referred to as a tourist or blue passport) or ability to obtain Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC)and/or Department (DOD) Common Access Card (CAC) or ability to obtain United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), or ability to obtain with the following endorsement(s): Wiper

Preferred Qualifications

• STCW Certificate endorsed as: Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFPEW). Able Seafarer Engine Qualified Member of the engine department (QMED)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge in Marine Plumbing Systems, Regulatory Compliance, Materials and Tools, Blueprint Reading, Environmental Regulations Skills in Troubleshooting and Repair, Pipefitting and Welding, System Maintenance, Safety Procedures, Technical Communication Skill in computer, oral and written communication including demonstrated ability to use common Microsoft products and NSE Related teaching/ instructional experience instructing cadets or supervising personnel

Additional Information

Machines or equipment used in the performance of essential duties

• Basic hand tools
• Pipe work tools
• Drain cleaning tools
• Leak detection and testing tools
• Safety equipment

Physical Requirements

• All seafarers must pass a comprehensive medical examination to get a medical certificate, which confirms their fitness for duty and is required by organizations like the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Essential physical requirements include the strength and endurance to lift equipment weighing 50 lbs. or more, the ability to safely navigate a constantly moving vessel, and the mobility to climb multiple ladders and enter confined spaces. Overall, a mariner must be prepared to perform all job functions safely and effectively in a challenging and often isolated environment.

Other Requirements and Factors

• This position is security sensitive.
• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures.
• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements.
• Must pass a USCG/DOT drug test prior to employment and participate in the University's random drug test program.
• Willing to work extended duty days to include overnight stays, weekends and holidays. Able to report on short notice.
• This position is defined as Critical Infrastructure and requires completion of a background check prior to employment.
• Ability to spend at least 3 months at sea and all ship activations.

Who we are

We are the ocean campus of Texas A&M University at Galveston. Our employees come from throughout the world, with many different perspectives, talents, lived experiences, and interests. Aggies by the Sea promote a welcoming and highly productive work environment. We support the university’s goals to recruit and retain a quality workforce and encourage life-long learning practices.  We will do our part to assist you in your new position and encourage you to take advantage of training and development opportunities that are available to help you be successful.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.