Plumber I at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Plumber I position is a full-time, apprentice-level, position working under the guidance of the campus Master Plumber. The key functions of this position include but are not limited to, assisting with inspections, repairs, and maintenance of major campus plumbing and infrastructure systems across campus, including industrial and circulating pumps, domestic water, steam, gas, underground utilities, compressed air, and residential systems. The ideal candidate provides cost-effective, efficient, reliable, maintenance service in preserving and upgrading the integrity of the campus facilities with minimal disruption to building occupants.

The ideal candidate has experience working in a team environment and has a proactive and positive approach.

This position is exclusively on-site so all duties are to be performed in person at the F&CP Plumbing Shop. The work schedule is from Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to carry out its vital functions effectively.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary is from $15.75 - $21.00 an hour, contingent upon qualifications and experience. *Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• No formal education is required
• 6 months of plumbing maintenance experience in an industrial, commercial, or institutional setting, including limited advanced trade experience
• Valid Texas Driver's License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past 5 years.
• 
  Skills
  
  
  • Basic analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Basic prioritization and time management skills
  • Capable of filling out and submitting the Plumbers Apprentice paperwork to the State
  • Computer literacy which allows for interface with computerized maintenance management systems.
  • Ability to read and understand blueprints, drawings, and schematics
  
  

Preferences

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• Trade school certification in an appropriate technical field or apprenticeship training program or ability to enroll in a program within 6 months of hire
• Two years related experience in one or more of the following: preventive and predictive maintenance, general construction and facility maintenance, plumbing, pneumatic systems and associated equipment, mechanical equipment operation, and/or troubleshooting and repair.
• Licensing or Certification in Plumbing

Essential Functions

• Assists to operate, maintain, calibrate, lubricate, replace expendable parts and repairs building systems (plumbing, water treatment, pneumatic systems, etc.)
• Assists with repairs and replaces parts as needed
• Assists with maintaining necessary logs or inputs information into the facilities management system to track and report all activities
• Provide feedback and recommendations to the supervisor as to possible improvements or modifications to building systems
• Ensures all work orders are completed on schedule and within the provided time and cost estimates
• Provides support for after hour call outs and at university events
• Perform preventive maintenance work on equipment assets.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Workplace Conditions

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift loads no greater than 75 lbs.
• Must be able to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding, and work around confined areas with piping and wiring obstructions, as needed, to access equipment.
• Requires moderate to heavy physical activity, including bending, stooping, climbing, balancing, standing, and walking up to 8 hours per day.
• Occasionally required to enter utility tunnels and confined spaces.

Physical Environment:

• Requires exposure to high-pressure boilers and steam piping, high voltage electricity, high noise levels, rotating, and other potentially dangerous equipment
• Requires work in mechanical rooms, tunnels, labs, attics, crawl spaces, non-conditioned spaces, and dusty, dirty, and wet conditions.
• Requires personal protective equipment such as hearing protection, safety shoes, and safety glasses

Work Hours and Travel:

• After-hours work may be required or other work outside the regular schedule may be needed
• Available on a continuous "on-call" basis for response to problems and emergencies that affect campus operations
• May require periodic travel to classes, conferences, and vendor sites as needed

Essential Personnel

This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The incumbent in this position is expected to report to campus, provide the essential services designated, and work under the overall direction of the Crisis Management Team for the duration of a campus emergency.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

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