SENIOR PLUMBER

Job Specifications

Class Code:	MN5
Analyst:	SC

Date Originated:	6/23
Date Revised:

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general direction, install, repair, and maintain a variety of plumbing and piping systems and equipment, act as lead worker, and do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents are assigned work at the advanced journey level and are responsible for leading assigned staff in addition to performing skilled plumbing work. The Senior Plumber is distinguished from other Plumber and maintenance classes in that the Senior Plumber performs maintenance and repair of the most difficult and complex plumbing tasks and inspects the work of the plumber classification.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Coordinates the daily activities of skilled Plumbers and other maintenance workers;
• Leads and trains subordinate plumbers and maintenance trade staff;
• Provides input on performance evaluations;
• Inspects the work of plumbers and maintenance workers involved in the installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing systems for quality control;
• Confers with and advises plumbers and other maintenance workers on technical problems;
• Ensures that code requirements, safety regulations, and safe work practices are observed;
• Assists in determining work methods and materials to be used;
• Performs skilled plumbing activities in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water, sewer, and other plumbing systems;
• Installs, repairs and maintains air, gas, water, and sewer pipes, fittings and fixtures according to approved codes;
• Installs and maintains low pressure vessels;
• Installs, alters and repairs boilers, water heaters, kitchen equipment, sterilizers, steam tables, laundry equipment, pressure gauges, soft water supplies, sprinkler heads, and other related equipment;
• Cuts, threads, and welds a variety of pipe such as copper and steel;
• Identifies causes for gas, water, and sewer leaks or malfunctions;
• Replaces worn or inadequate pipe, sheet metal, valves, fixtures, and traps;
• Supervises the care and maintenance of tools and equipment;
• Tests pipe systems for proper operation and determines requirements for additional equipment;
• Plans or modifies plumbing and piping systems to accommodate new construction or existing facility alteration;
• Estimates costs and materials required;
• Reads and interprets blueprints, schematic diagrams and sketches to perform installation, maintenance and repairs;
• Maintains records of work performed and prepares reports;
• Collects water samples, performs simple chemical tests and treats water supplies;
• Installs, maintains, and repairs items such as valves and pumps;
• Maintains adequate work stock of plumbing supplies;
• Completes work orders and requisition forms;
• May provide technical supervision to staff;<
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required by state law for all governmental staff;
• Performs related work as required.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of:

• The principles and practices of installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing and piping systems and equipment;
• The tools and equipment used in installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing and piping systems and equipment;
• Procedures and equipment used to inspect, and test safety devices used in plumbing.
• Plumbing codes and ordinances;
• Hazards and safety precautions of the plumbing trade.

Working knowledge of:

• The Uniform Plumbing Code;
• Planning, layout, and blueprint reading;
• Material and labor cost estimating;
• Common office software applications, such as email, word processing and internet browsers.

Some knowledge of:

• Welding;
• Principles of lead direction;
• Principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Ability to:

• Lead, train, and direct the work of others;
• Schedule and coordinate work assignments;
• Perform skilled advanced journey level work in the installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing systems and equipment;
• Enforce and instruct others on safety procedures and practices and appropriate building and safety codes;
• Install, repair, and maintain a variety of plumbing and piping, and pumping systems and equipment;
• Trace and identify causes of plumbing and piping system leaks or malfunctions and restore to approved operating standards;
• Plan and modify plumbing and piping systems;
• Read, interpret and work from blueprints, schematic diagrams, plans and specifications;
• Plan, layout, and estimate materials and labor cost for plumbing and piping systems installations and repair and complete all necessary paperwork;
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports;
• Lift and move a variety of objects weighing up to 90 pounds, such as bags of cement and pumps;
• Lift and move items such as pumps weighing up to 40 pounds overhead;
• Perform tasks that require strength such as working a large roto-rooter machine, and moving pumps;
• Perform tasks that require manual dexterity, such as repairing valves;
• Perform tasks that require balance and flexibility such as crawling along narrow beams in an attic to access plumbing;
• Discern color in order to work on electrical wiring and color-coded valves;
• Distinguish sounds to determine leaks in water lines or problems in motors;
• Put on, wear and use a self-contained breathing apparatus may be required;
• Coordinate the maintenance of tools and equipment;
• Inspect and evaluate work for quality control purposes;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Use computer and software applications such as maintenance management software, energy management systems, and common office applications;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and technical experience which would provide the knowledge and abilities listed above. Typical ways to obtain this knowledge and abilities would be:

Completion of an apprenticeship program as plumber and certification as such from the Apprenticeship Standards Division of the State of California Industrial Relations Department AND two years of full-time experience in commercial or industrial maintenance work.

OR

Six years full-time, or its equivalent, progressively responsible experience in commercial or industrial plumbing maintenance work. Two years must be at the journey level or higher.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

License/Certificate Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Note: Candidates with an out of state license may apply and go through recruitment and examination process, however verification of California License must be provided at time of appointment. Water Treatment Operator Level 1 or 2 Certificate issued by the State of California will be required within the first eighteen months of employment.

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.

Special Working Conditions: Confined workspaces such as crawl spaces and plumbing accesses; heights such as a 50-foot water tank; exposure to variable weather conditions and sudden temperature and humidity changes, allergens such as dust, noise, strong unpleasant odors and fumes, toxic substances and chemical irritants; and the possibility of exposure to infections which might cause chronic disease or death.

Other Special Requirements: This position may work irregular hours and be assigned on-call duty.

Bargaining Unit: 41

EEOC Job Category: 07

Occupational Grouping: 36

Worker's Comp Code: 1160