Plumber III 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. A cover letter is welcomed but not required. 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 III with limited direction and supervision, performs complex, skilled work involving installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing facilities, including, but not limited to, the following systems: domestic water, heating/cooling water, steam, pneumatic, distilled water, specialized research supplies, and storm/wastewater. This position is a part of the F&CP Maintenance Department and serves in a lead capacity.

The ideal candidate has experience working in a team environment and three or more years of related experience, preferably in an industrial, commercial, or institutional environment.

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 $29.00 to $33.61 an hour, contingent upon qualifications and experience. *Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• 
  3 or more years of related experience in the plumbing trade, preferably in an industrial, commercial, or institutional environment
  
  
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
  
  
• 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
  
  
  • Must be knowledgeable of Texas and US plumbing codes
  • Ability to supervise and mentor junior-level staff
  • Ability to analyze complex plumbing systems
  • Must be able to read schematics and understand piping diagrams
  • Competent in backflow prevention
  • Competent in cross-connection preventions, installation, sizing, and repair
  • Analytical problem-solving skills
  • Effective communication skills both verbal and written
  • Excellent prioritization and time management skills
  
  

Preferences

• Plumbing apprenticeship or other related technical training
• More than three years of experience in plumbing maintenance
• Certification for backflow preventers
• Knowledge of safe work practices and tool handling

Essential Functions

• Leads and oversees the work of apprentice and journey-level staff
• Maintains, troubleshoots, installs, and/or repairs plumbing fixture parts
• Maintains and repairs underground water lines, storm, and sanitary sewer lines
• Performs minor remodeling and/or construction of plumbing systems
• Works proactively to prevent accidents and maintains a safe work environment for other employees and contractors
• Ensures that each job is handled in the safest manner possible
• Provides feedback and recommendations to supervision as to possible improvements or modifications to building systems
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Working Conditions

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift loads no greater than 75 lbs.
• Must be able to climb stairs, ladders, 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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