Plumber or Senior Plumber Assistant

UVA Health • Charlottesville, VA

11d • $43,680 - $60,320 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Virginia Facilities Management team is hiring a Plumber or Senior Plumber Assistant for its Housing Zone. The role supports approximately 180 buildings and 3.1 million square feet of residential and program space, primarily serving UVA’s first-year residence halls. The position helps provide consistent, cost-effective, and reliable maintenance for the University community and has a direct impact on students’ daily experience.

Both levels support the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of plumbing and associated mechanical systems throughout the Housing portfolio. Plumbers perform journey-level work with minimal supervision, diagnose and repair systems independently, complete installations, and provide technical guidance. Senior Plumber Assistants perform skilled maintenance and repairs independently within their demonstrated abilities or alongside licensed plumbers on more complex assignments, while developing their technical skills through hands-on experience and mentorship.

The positions are part of a collaborative, multi-trade maintenance team and offer opportunities to develop skills in HVAC, electrical, carpentry, and general building systems. This is a full-time, local position with no travel or seasonal layoffs. The selected candidate must complete required background checks before starting.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least four years of experience in plumbing or a related building trade for the Senior Plumber Assistant level.
• At least four years of experience in the plumbing trade for the Plumber level.
• Valid driver’s license.
• For the Plumber level, a valid Journeyman or Master Plumber license.
• Demonstrated ability to perform skilled maintenance tasks, use trade-specific tools and equipment, and troubleshoot common plumbing problems for the Senior Plumber Assistant level.
• Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot, install, maintain, and repair plumbing systems and equipment for the Plumber level.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of regular walking, standing, kneeling, crawling, squatting, climbing ladders or stairs, and lifting and carrying various weights.
• Required background checks must be completed before the start date.

Nice To Haves

• Backflow Prevention Device Tester Certification.
• Experience maintaining plumbing systems in commercial, institutional, multifamily residential, or higher-education facilities.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Experience working collaboratively with other skilled trades.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair plumbing systems and equipment, including domestic water, sanitary and storm drainage, fixtures, valves, pumps, and associated mechanical components.
• Perform preventive maintenance and inspections to identify potential problems, improve system reliability, and reduce unplanned equipment failures.
• Diagnose plumbing issues and complete repairs in occupied residential buildings while minimizing disruption to students and building operations.
• Respond to maintenance work orders, service requests, and urgent plumbing issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Read and interpret blueprints, equipment documentation, and technical specifications.
• Identify the materials, equipment, and labor needed to complete assigned work.
• Maintain accurate documentation of labor, materials, and work order updates in UVA’s maintenance management system (AIM).
• Communicate with residents, customers, supervisors, and other trades about work progress, scheduling, and service interruptions.
• Follow plumbing codes, OSHA regulations, University safety requirements, and personal protective equipment practices.
• Serve as a primary resource for plumbing-related issues in the assigned Housing area and participate in cross-training across building trades.
• Participate in emergency response, snow and ice removal, and standby or callback rotations as assigned.
• Perform other duties necessary to support Housing Zone operations.
• For the Plumber level: independently perform journey-level plumbing installations, repairs, and advanced troubleshooting with minimal supervision.
• For the Plumber level: diagnose complex plumbing system failures and determine corrective actions.
• For the Plumber level: estimate labor, materials, and time for maintenance repairs and small projects.
• For the Plumber level: provide technical guidance and mentorship to Senior Plumbing Assistants, apprentices, and other maintenance staff.
• For the Plumber level: ensure installations, repairs, and modifications comply with applicable codes, regulations, and University standards.
• For the Plumber level: coordinate with other skilled trades, supervisors, and contractors when work involves multiple building systems.

Benefits

• Health, dental, retirement, and educational benefits for employees and/or their families.
• 22 days of paid time off, increasing with service.
• 13 or more paid holidays each year, in addition to paid time off.
• Parental and Community Service Leave.
• Health plan options.
• Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Tuition and professional development benefits.
• Employee wellness program with activities to earn up to $500 per year.
• Eligible new University employees may receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus, subject to current University policy and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED