Plumbing Shop Foreman

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

9d • $61,735 - $69,452 • Onsite

About The Position

The Plumbing Shop Foreman provides leadership, technical oversight, and daily operational supervision for the Plumbing Shop. This position is responsible for planning, assigning, coordinating, and inspecting plumbing maintenance, repairs, installations, preventive maintenance, and project-related work across university facilities. The position serves as the primary technical and supervisory lead for plumbing systems, including domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, natural gas, specialty piping, fixtures, valves, pumps, backflow prevention, and related building systems. The role ensures that plumbing work is completed safely, efficiently, professionally, and in compliance with applicable plumbing codes, university standards, OSHA requirements, and operational expectations. This position requires a Master Plumber License, significant field experience, and demonstrated management skills to lead skilled trades staff, coordinate with other shops and departments, manage work through the CMMS, support project planning, and respond effectively to emergencies and campus priorities. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job function of this job, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Completion of required education or training along with the required license or certification as a Master Plumber according to ACA 17-38-301
• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least 10 years of progressive plumbing experience in commercial, institutional, industrial, or large-facility environments
• Experience in management, supervisory, or lead experience in directing skilled trades work
• Experience planning, assigning, coordinating, and inspecting plumbing work
• Experience using work order systems, maintenance records, or CMMS platforms
• Valid driver’s license
• Strong knowledge of plumbing systems, plumbing codes, installation practices, maintenance practices, troubleshooting, and repair methods
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, specifications, and technical documents
• Extensive knowledge of commercial and institutional plumbing systems
• Thorough knowledge of Arkansas Plumbing Code, applicable local/state requirements, and national plumbing standards
• Knowledge of domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, natural gas, backflow prevention, valves, pumps, fixtures, specialty piping, and related systems
• Knowledge of plumbing installation, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, testing, and inspection practices
• Knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, schematics, technical manuals, and project documents
• Knowledge of OSHA standards and safety practices related to plumbing work, including confined space, lockout/tagout, excavation, hot work, PPE, and hazard communication
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance practices and asset management principles
• Knowledge of CMMS/work order systems and documentation standards
• Knowledge of staffing, scheduling, performance management, and supervisory practices
• Knowledge of inventory control, material procurement, and basic budget support
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Strong technical troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Strong planning, scheduling, organizing, and prioritization skills
• Skill in supervising skilled trades employees and coordinating daily work
• Skill in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, specifications, and technical documents
• Skill in estimating labor, material, equipment, and time requirements
• Skill in inspecting work for quality, code compliance, safety, and operational effectiveness
• Skill in communicating with employees, leadership, contractors, customers, and other departments
• Skill in using CMMS systems, basic computer applications, email, spreadsheets, and work order reporting tools
• Skill in resolving conflicts, addressing performance concerns, and maintaining accountability
• Skill in coordinating multi-trade work and managing service interruptions
• Skill in responding calmly and effectively during emergencies
• Ability to lead a skilled trades shop in a complex campus or institutional environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining safety, quality, and customer service
• Ability to make sound technical and operational decisions under pressure
• Ability to interpret and apply plumbing codes, safety standards, university policies, and operational procedures
• Ability to train, mentor, evaluate, and develop employees
• Ability to coordinate effectively with other shops, departments, contractors, inspectors, and campus stakeholders
• Ability to identify system deficiencies and recommend practical long-term solutions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and ensure staff documentation is complete and reliable
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
• Ability to respond to after-hours emergencies as needed
• Ability to promote a professional, accountable, team-oriented work environment
• Ability to inspect work in mechanical rooms, tunnels, rooftops, crawlspaces, utility areas, construction zones, and active buildings
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull tools, parts, and materials.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, climb, stoop, kneel, and access confined or restricted work areas as needed
• Ability to work around noise, heat, cold, wet conditions, sewage exposure, mechanical equipment, and active construction environments
• Ability to respond to emergency situations, including after-hours, weekends, holidays, weather events, and campus service disruptions

Nice To Haves

• Experience supervising plumbing work in a higher education, healthcare, government, institutional, or large commercial facility environment
• At least five years of supervisory, foreman, lead, or shop management experience
• Experience managing preventive maintenance programs for plumbing systems
• Experience coordinating plumbing work with other skilled trades and contractors
• Experience reviewing construction documents and supporting renovation or capital project work
• Experience with backflow prevention certification or overseeing backflow testing programs
• Experience with Medical gas, gas piping, storm drainage, sewer infrastructure, or specialty piping
• Experience with FAMIS or similar CMMS platform
• OSHA 10, OSHA 30, confined space, excavation safety, or related safety training

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, technical oversight, and daily operational supervision for the Plumbing Shop.
• Plans, assigns, coordinates, and inspects plumbing maintenance, repairs, installations, preventive maintenance, and project-related work across university facilities.
• Serves as the primary technical and supervisory lead for plumbing systems, including domestic water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, natural gas, specialty piping, fixtures, valves, pumps, backflow prevention, and related building systems.
• Ensures that plumbing work is completed safely, efficiently, professionally, and in compliance with applicable plumbing codes, university standards, OSHA requirements, and operational expectations.
• Leads skilled trades staff, coordinates with other shops and departments, manages work through the CMMS, supports project planning, and responds effectively to emergencies and campus priorities.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

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