Plumber II - Enterprise Physical Operations

About the role

• Location
• SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110
• Scheduled Hours
• 40

Position Summary

The Enterprise Physical Operations, Infrastructure, Capital Programs & Real Estate (EPO) department at WashU provides integrated operational, infrastructure, planning, and facility services that support the university’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care, and community engagement.

Guided by our PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism & Planning, Respect & Responsibility, Integrity & Integration, Dedication & Delivery, Excellence & Enterprise Alignment, and Accountability & Stewardship, EPO fosters a culture centered on collaboration, strategic partnership, innovation, accountability, and service excellence across the university enterprise.

EPO manages and supports 28 million gross square feet across 235+ buildings and associated infrastructure systems, encompassing academic, research, clinical, residential, administrative, and support facilities across the university’s campuses and operations. Our teams provide strategic leadership and operational expertise in facility management, infrastructure services, capital project delivery, real estate operations, planning, sustainability, engineering, maintenance, environmental services, public safety support, and enterprise operational services.

EPO creates and maintains safe, innovative, efficient, mission-driven environments that support our students, faculty, staff, patients, researchers, and community partners.

Performs skilled installation, maintenance, and repairs of complex plumbing and piping systems across the medical school campus, including natural gas, lab vacuum, compressed air, R.O./D.I. water, steam, and condensate systems. Independently plans and completes short‑range projects, troubleshoots system issues, and performs tasks such as cabling drains, clearing lines, and installing or sweating piping.

Interprets plumbing codes and blueprints, estimates labor and material needs, coordinates work with customers and contractors, and manages service interruptions to minimize operational impact. Effective communication and follow‑through are essential to ensure systems are restored to proper conditions and facility stakeholders remain informed.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Works with, maintains, and installs various plumbing systems across the medical school campus, including cabling drains and sewers, clearing clogged lines, installing and sweating pipe, and troubleshooting systems.
• Works with, installs, and maintains the piping on natural gas systems, lab vacuum systems, compressed lab air systems, R.O. and D.I. systems, as well as steam and condensate systems.
• Plans and completes the repairs/installations of plumbing and pipe fitting systems for short-range projects.
• Maintains knowledge and understanding of and follows all necessary plumbing codes. Effectively reads blueprints and has knowledge of plumbing piping materials, including metal and plastic pipe materials.
• Prioritizes work and makes an initial assessment of conditions and service needs.
• Estimates labor time, requisitions, and materials needed, and requests assistance from other maintenance staff for long-range projects.
• Monitors outside service schedules and equipment installation by outside contractors.
• Monitors service schedules/coordinates any interruptions in service (utility outages).
• Interfaces with customers to schedule/coordinate any interruptions in service (utility outages).
• Follows through on work in progress to verify proper facility conditions are restored.
• Performs a variety of tasks involving plumbing and pipe fitting.
• Keeps Building Services supervisors aware of facility conditions, problems, and needs.
• Maintains effective communication with other Facility Maintenance Coordinators and maintenance staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Works inside and outside, in dusty and dirty places such as pits and equipment spaces where temperatures may exceed 100 degrees, and equipment may be oily and greasy.
• Employee may be required to work in the vicinity of labs containing biohazardous radioactive substances.
• Exposed to wet and cold conditions, as well as noise and vibration from operating equipment.
• Must be able to work in morgues, gross anatomy, and pathology laboratories.
• Stockroom or Warehouse
• Requires extensive safety training
• Alternative work schedules
• Exposure to chemicals
• High noise environment
• On-Call (Beeper)
• Requires protective devices
• Dust, dirt, grease, or other disagreeable elements
• Patient care setting
• Exposure to moving machinery
• Exposure to animals

Physical Effort

• Typically standing or walking
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping
• Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement
• Using tools requiring high dexterity
• Occasional lifting (25 lbs. or less)
• Occasional lifting (25 – 50 lbs)
• Frequent lifting (25 lbs. or more)
• Must be able to lift and carry tools and materials weighing in excess of 50 pounds and be able to raise and carry, with assistance, heavier items

Equipment

• Simple hand tools
• Tools associate with the trade and work duties

Additional information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent high school certification or combination of education and/or experience.

Certifications/Professional Licenses

• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: General Maintenance Or Skilled Trade Function (3 Years)
• Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License

A Class E (MO) or Class D (IL) license and a good driving record are required for this position.

Required Qualifications

• Trade school diploma in plumbing or combination of education and/or experience.
• Three years of experience in plumbing.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Associate degree - Plumbing

Certifications/Professional Licenses

• American Backflow Assembly Tester - American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA)
• Work Experience: Hospital Or Large Corporate/Industrial Complex (5 Years)

Skills

Blueprint Reading, Climbing Structures, Color Vision, Communication, Continuing Learning, Depth Perception, Diagnosing Problems, Drain Cleaning, Guest Service, Handheld Power Tools, Handling Guest Complaints, Internal Development, Maintenance Work, Organizational Commitment, Plumbing Codes, Plumbing Maintenance, Plumbing Systems, Power Tools, Preventive Maintenance, Problem Solving, Professional Integrity, Strive for Excellence, Teamwork, Timeline Management, Visual Acuity

• Grade
• G11-H

Salary Range $27.21 - $43.56 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.