Lead Maintenance Plumber

Seattle University Electrical and Computer Engineering; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Retirement contributions

Tuition benefits for employee and/or/4

Job summary

Seattle University seeks a Lead Maintenance Plumber to oversee plumbing and pipefitting work across Cornish College, South Lake Union, and First Hill campus sites. You will lead day-to-day activities, coordinate projects, and ensure safe, reliable operations for campus systems.

The role requires journey-level expertise, project coordination, and strong leadership, customer service, and communication skills. Occasional overtime may be required to support campus operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Washington State Journeyman Plumber License.
• Valid Washington State Driver License.
• Five years of progressively responsible journey-level plumbing experience, including project coordination or lead work.
• Ability to interpret plans, specifications, and technical documents.
• Demonstrated leadership, customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to Seattle University’s mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities

• Lead plumbing operations for the Cornish campus and South Lake Union facilities.
• Coordinate multi-campus plumbing projects with Facilities managers, project managers, and contractors.
• Assess work orders, staffing, sequencing, and material requirements; monitor progress in CMMS.
• Promote safety, compliance, and high-quality service in all activities.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Problem-solving

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Months Per Year:

12

Work Model:

Onsite

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University’s Core Competencies

Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.

Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.

Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Job Description Summary

Reporting directly to the Director of Plant Operations & Maintenance, the Lead Maintenance Plumber serves as the technical lead for plumbing and pipefitting operations supporting Seattle University’s Cornish College while providing project and system support for the First Hill campus as needed.
This position combines advanced journey-level plumbing expertise with work coordination, project leadership, customer service, contractor oversight, and team leadership responsibilities.
The Lead Maintenance Plumber leads day-to-day work activities for general maintenance personnel at the South Lake Union campus, coordinates plumbing projects across multiple campus locations, and ensures the reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of campus plumbing, mechanical, water, gas, drainage, and related building systems. Emergency response and occasional overtime may be required to support campus operations.
This position is represented by United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United State and Canada, Local 32.

Position Description:

Technical Operations and Maintenance (40%)

• Perform advanced journey-level plumbing, pipefitting, and mechanical maintenance on campus systems.
• Install, repair, replace, troubleshoot, and maintain plumbing, domestic water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, natural gas, compressed air, vacuum, RO/DI water, pool, and water feature systems.
• Diagnose and correct water pressure issues, cross-connections, drainage problems, and system failures.
• Install and repair pumps, valves, heat exchangers, coils, regulators, tanks, fixtures, piping assemblies, and related equipment.
• Build and fabricate piping systems using industry-standard methods including threading, soldering, brazing, and welding preparation.
• Perform backflow testing, maintenance, and compliance activities.
• Interpret blueprints, specifications, schematics, and construction documents.
• Support energy conservation, water efficiency, and sustainability initiatives.
• Review contractor work and ensure compliance with university standards.
• Respond to routine and emergency service requests.

Leadership and Work Coordination (35%)

• Serve as the lead plumbing resource for the Cornish campus.
• Coordinate, prioritize, assign, and monitor daily work activities for maintenance personnel supporting South Lake Union facilities.
• Assess work orders and determine staffing, sequencing, materials, and scheduling requirements.
• Coordinate multi-trade projects with Facilities managers, project managers, shop leads, contractors, and vendors.
• Track work through the CMMS and ensure timely completion and closeout.
• Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, procurement requirements, and material lists.
• Maintain inventory levels and ensure availability of critical plumbing materials and supplies.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and technical training of maintenance staff.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, and customer-focused work environment.

Customer Service, Communication, and Administration (15%)

• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, contractors, and campus partners regarding work status and scheduling.
• Provide project recommendations, budget input, and technical guidance to Facilities leadership.
• Maintain accurate records, work orders, inspections, permits, and compliance documentation.
• Prepare reports, estimates, and planning documents as requested.
• Represent the plumbing shop in meetings, project planning efforts, and campus initiatives.

Safety and Compliance (10%)

• Promote and enforce safe work practices, including lockout/tagout procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, regulations, permits, and university standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Participate in emergency response activities and after-hours support as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Washington State Journeyman Plumber License.
• Valid Washington State Driver License.
• Five years of progressively responsible journey-level plumbing experience, including project coordination or lead work responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret plans, specifications, and technical documents.
• Demonstrated leadership, customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to Seattle University’s mission, vision, and values.

Preferred Qualifications

• City of Seattle 3rd Grade Steam Engineer License.
• AS-1 Sprinkler Confidence Testing License.
• Backflow Tester Certification.
• City of Seattle Gas Piping License.
• Building Operator Certification (BOC).
• Experience leading maintenance teams in higher education, healthcare, research, or institutional environments.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of plumbing, piping, mechanical systems, applicable codes, project coordination, contractor management, preventive maintenance practices, safety regulations, and customer service principles. Ability to lead teams, coordinate multiple priorities, mentor staff, and work independently in a complex campus environment.

Physical Requirements

Requires standing, walking, climbing, balancing, bending, kneeling, crawling, lifting up to 50 pounds, operating tools and equipment, and working in mechanical rooms, utility spaces, rooftops, construction sites, and occupied buildings.

Working Conditions

Work is performed throughout university facilities including Cornish College, South Lake Union, and First Hill campus locations. The position may require responding to emergencies outside normal business hours and working occasional overtime to support critical campus operations.

Compensation at a Glance

Hourly Rate: $47.82

Lead Pay per hour: $2.50

Annual Salary: approximately $104,665.60

Seattle University has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, and not based on a candidate’s gender or any other protected status.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.

Benefits at a Glance

Consistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/

Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3–6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter.

Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus.

All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university’s discretion.