Plumber

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits.  We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030. 

The purpose of this job is to perform skilled, semi-skilled, and manual work associated with installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems, pipes, and fixtures in Hamilton County Department of Education (HCDE) school buildings and related facilities.

• Acts in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner at all times. 
• Creates a customer-focused climate and provides quality services and support to school and other stakeholders.
• Complies with applicable district, state, and federal codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures. 
• Performs various skilled, semi-skilled, and manual tasks associated with plumbing system maintenance, such as troubleshooting plumbing problems, installing/maintaining new plumbing, roughing in new plumbing projects, locating underground pipes, locating/repairing plumbing leaks, installing/repairing plumbing devices, clearing/unstopping drains and water/sewer lines, cleaning sewers, installing/repairing sewer pipes, installing/maintaining backflow preventers/devices, installing/maintaining pumps, installing/repairing water service, installing/repairing gas service, troubleshooting gas leaks, installing/repairing water storage tanks, installing/repairing faucets and fixtures, installing/repairing toilets, replacing/repairing flush valves, installing pressure reducer valves, maintaining fire hydrants, maintaining sprinkler systems, maintaining lawn sprinkler systems, maintaining water coolers/fountains, repairing kitchen plumbing equipment, repairing steam leaks, installing air lines, installing/maintaining electrical/gas water heaters, installing/maintaining water boilers, remodeling bathrooms, installing/maintaining science laboratory equipment, installing ice machines, pumping grease traps and septic tanks, cutting/threading pipe, assembling/fitting valves and pipes, bending pipes, or welding pipe systems and metal components.
• Performs various general/manual work tasks associated with department projects, which may include checking voltage, building/assembling scaffolding, moving furniture, setting up classrooms, climbing ladders, breaking concrete, digging holes/trenches, or lifting/moving heavy materials.
• Reads and interprets maps, diagrams and blueprints.
• Responds to work orders or work requests to conduct various repair/maintenance projects as assigned; calculates/estimates time and material needed to complete projects; plans work activities to minimize down time in classrooms, offices, or other work areas; conducts maintenance inspections of buildings, equipment, and facilities to identify necessary repairs; reports potentially hazardous or dangerous situations to supervisor; responds to emergency situations.
• Ensures that physical structures, equipment/system operations, and repair/maintenance activities are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Operates a variety of machinery, equipment, and tools associated with department projects, which may include a utility vehicle, dump truck, backhoe, bucket truck, lift, trencher, sewer machine, pipe locator, gas leak locator, pipe threading machine, pipe bender, air compressor, generator, pump, jackhammer, various saws, drill, drill press, closet auger, vise, torch, welding machine, pipe cutter, shovel, plumbing tools, mechanic tools, scaffolding, ladder, gauges, meters, diagnostic instruments, or two-way radio.
• Inspects/tests machinery, equipment and parts for proper operations; makes appropriate adjustments, repairs, or replacements; reports problem situations.
• Performs general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking fluid levels, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop/work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.
• Transports, loads and unloads various equipment and materials used in projects.
• Communicates through the proper channels to keep supervisor and other appropriate personnel informed of impending problems or events of unusual nature.
• Follows established procedures for ensuring assigned areas are safe. 
• Works collaboratively with school staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Attends meetings as needed.
• Travels to school locations and other locations throughout the district to perform job tasks.
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed; assists other skilled-trade employees as needed.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, purchase vouchers, warehouse requisitions, accident reports, on-the-job accident reports, time cards, or other documents. 
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, work orders, backflow data sheets, purchase voucher records, vehicle maintenance schedules, codes, blueprints, diagrams, specifications, maps, asbestos management plan, material safety data sheets, manuals, catalogs, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Monitors inventory of equipment and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates requests for new/replacement materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge/Education/Experience:

Vocational/Technical degree or Apprenticeship in Plumbing required;  Three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing/gas systems/fixtures, as well as welding, general building construction, and building maintenance preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain valid Hamilton County and City of Chattanooga Journeyman Plumbing Licenses. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to train and direct the work of plumber assistant(s).
• Ability to safely operate the required equipment and tools to complete job assignments.
• Ability to read and interpret instructions, blueprints, diagrams, maps, and other documents.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  Ability to calculate decimals and percentages.
• Ability to work in adverse weather and environmental conditions.

Compensation:
Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
Grade E
Salary Scale