Lead Plumber Pipefitter (8190C) #88030

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Departmental Overview

Residential and Student Service Programs (RSSP) is part of the Division of Student Affairs under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor of RSSP. RSSP provides student housing, residential life programs, self-operated dining services for undergraduate and graduate students and their families, and child care services for students, faculty, and staff; it also conducts a year-round conference business, operates eleven campus restaurants, and manages twenty-six faculty apartments.

The Central Maintenance, Design, and Minor Capital Projects units provide a comprehensive group of services to all units within RSSP. These services include performing or managing all building trades and related maintenance services, performing interior design services, space planning, renovation project planning and management services, major maintenance, minor capital planning and project management for RSSP.

Position Summary

The Lead Plumber Pipefitter serves as the working lead, performing the duties of a lead plumber; coordinating projects; scheduling and assigning work; transmitting orders; explaining tasks to co-workers; maintaining time-and-materials records; performing accurate material takeoffs; and estimating required staffing levels and project completion times. This position also trains other plumbers in proper methods, techniques, and safety procedures and assigns work to plumbing staff based on RSSP priorities.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is August 19, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

Installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems, fittings, and fixtures, on campus and RSSP buildings and facilities

• Installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems, fittings, and fixtures in on-campus and RSSP buildings and facilities.
• Understanding and planning the methods and procedures required to complete installation and repair work on piping systems, including underground and in high-rise buildings.
• Prepares detailed isometric drawings, showing measurements and materials, using information obtained from blueprints and verbal instructions.
• Operates pipe threading machines, drills, sewer cleaning equipment, grinders, and other hand and/or power tools needed to perform skilled related job tasks.
• Participates in the design or specification of assemblies, systems, equipment, and controls.
• Selects correct tools, techniques, and methods for handling specific piping projects.
• Fabricates a wide variety of campus piping systems and related components.
• Installs and repairs Campus plumbing systems, including but not limited to: gas lines, heating systems, sewer systems, vent systems, acid-waste systems, water lines, backflow prevention systems, fire systems, and other components.
• Demonstrates the ability to join similar and dissimilar metals using the proper methods, techniques, and materials.
• Demonstrates at all times good communication skills with the campus community, including students, building managers, academic personnel, and craft personnel, in a multi-cultural environment.
• Work is assigned through verbal and written instructions from the lead person or superintendent; the service request is carried out by the worker in accordance with standard practices of the plumbing trade.
• Execute all job assignments in a timely manner.
• Works from drawings or prepares detailed project drawings showing measurements, materials, and other required information, using building blueprints, verbal instructions, and other sources.
• Perform planned and emergency maintenance, inspections, test operations, troubleshooting, and documentation of work performed.
• Responds to emergencies, works on-call, rotating swing shift, and holidays.
• Work is subject to inspection while in progress and upon completion.
• Accountable for his or her own actions within workspaces of the University and Campus facilities.
• Keeps accurate time and material records; orders supplies and/or materials. As required, coordinates work.
• As required, handles hazardous waste and is responsible for safely handling, properly containing and labeling, and following appropriate emergency procedures related to hazardous waste materials.
• Performs basic mathematical calculations related to performing projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Available for holidays, weekends, weekend on-call procedures, emergencies, and shift work.
• Performs all work while conforming with EH&S health and safety policies, OSHA and other applicable federal, state and local fire, health, safety, emergency-preparedness, pollution-prevention policies, RSSP policies and procedures and University of California's policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct, IIPP (Safety and Health Procedures), Hazardous Materials Communications Program, Health and Safety Manual, as well as any other document authorized by the RSSP management to have bearing on employee safety and conduct.

ADMINISTRATIVE / TECHNICAL

• Coordinates with project managers, building inspectors, and facility managers.
• Keeps up-to-date, accurate, comprehensive project records, including plans, specifications, submittals, schedules, requests, changes, approvals, and costs.
• Consults lead/supervisor or project superintendents who administer requirements and standards for modification of projects.
• Supports maintenance projects and work assignments.
• Uses and develops an information base to track job status and projected completion schedules.
• Prioritizes work assignments to meet customer needs.
• Completes paperwork in a neat and timely manner.
• Reads information from equipment manufacturers' manuals, service requests, layout sketches, blueprints, appropriate state and local government codes, trade-specific manuals and practices, and determines how the fixture or equipment should perform.
• Defines and describes materials, tools, and/or equipment, work methods, and task sequences.
• Serves as liaison with clients, relaying their needs and requirements to the appropriate department or supervisor.
• Works and supports shutdowns and project schedules to minimize interference with others.
• Interacts with various components (units and/or departments), procurement, and clients as necessary to specify and obtain timely delivery of the most appropriate contracted services.
• Orders, procures materials and equipment; maintains records.
• Communicates clearly over the telephone and two-way radio.
• Attends safety, technical, and general meetings.

SAFETY AND HEALTH AWARENESS / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes job-related tasks in a safe manner by adhering to appropriate safety regulations.
• Aware of potential hazardous operations, and takes appropriate precautions.
• Immediately stops work in the event of danger to people or property.
• Proceeds with work only after ensuring that appropriate safety procedures have been implemented.
• Reports all accidents and/or incidents immediately to the supervisor for record-keeping.
• Attends monthly Safety Tailgate meeting and/or Safety Training meetings.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

• Utilizes good judgment in interpersonal communications in situations requiring sensitivity and tact.
• Treats co-workers, staff, supervisors, and managers with respect and courtesy, and maintains good working relationships with them.
• Demonstrates the ability to work in a cooperative manner with co-workers.
• Promotes a cooperative team environment.
• Demonstrates at all times good communication skills with the campus community, including students, building managers, academic personnel, and craft personnel.
• Interacts directly with all client levels throughout RSSP to develop and achieve project requirements and goals.
• Responds to requests for service in a timely manner.
• Treats customers with respect and courtesy.
• Supports and achieves organizational goals aimed at maintaining and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Reports progress or delays, refers major problems to the lead or superintendent for resolution, and informs customers as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Worked as a journey-level plumber for a minimum of 4 years, with a minimum of 3 years of experience as a lead in plumbing work
• The ability to assign work and provide clear direction to plumbing staff
• The ability to assess the work of plumbing staff for quality, code compliance, and timeliness
• Experience with identifying training needs and coordinating staff training programs
• The ability to accurately order materials, make material stock recommendations, monitor the condition of tools and equipment, arrange for tool and equipment repairs as needed, and provide leadership in setting up and organizing a shop
• Experience in assessing the performance of individual staff and providing input to the supervisor on employee performance for use in performance evaluations
• Successfully completed a five-year plumbing apprenticeship

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The hourly rate that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $78.74.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Skilled Crafts Unit (KB) between the University of California and the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council (ACBCTC). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/kb/index.html

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

Employment is contingent upon passing a physical and/or job abilities exam.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.