Plumber

County of Santa Clara; California (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara is seeking a skilled plumber to perform installation, alteration, maintenance and repair of water, sewer and related plumbing systems and fixtures.

This role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a five-year plumbing apprenticeship or five years' experience with journeyman certification; a California driver's license is required, and the candidate may need to obtain a security clearance. Disaster service work may be required during emergencies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and completion of a five-year plumbing trade apprenticeship.
• Alternatively, five years of plumbing experience with a Plumbers Journeyman card or County Competency card or P.I.P.E. certification.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment.

Responsibilities

• Installs, alters, replaces and repairs plumbing systems including water, gas, sewer and drainage.
• Checks and maintains autoclave sterilizers and medical gas systems where applicable.
• Unstops sinks, basins, water lines and toilets.
• Flushes sewer lines and piping systems and checks for leaks.
• Cuts, bends, assembles and installs pipes, fittings and fixtures.
• Completes work orders and requisition forms.
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker and required to be on call.
• Performs other related work as required.

Skills

Read blueprints

Plan and estimate materials

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Five-year plumbing apprenticeship

Job description

Description

Under general supervision, to perform skilled plumbing work in the installation, alteration, maintenance and repair of water, sewer and other plumbing systems and related equipment and fixtures.

Description

Under general supervision, to perform skilled plumbing work in the installation, alteration, maintenance and repair of water, sewer and other plumbing systems and related equipment and fixtures.

NOTE: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take a performance exam

tentatively scheduled from 9/21/2026 - 9/25/26. Qualifying candidates will be notified of the examination instructions.

Typical Tasks

• Installs, alters, replaces and repairs plumbing, such as water, gas, sewer and drainage systems;
• Checks and maintains autoclave sterilizers and medical gas systems, including, but not limited to, oxygen outlets, medical air and vacuum suction lines;
• Unstops sinks, basins, water lines and toilets;
• Flushes sewer lines, garbage disposals, floor drains, storm roof drains, and globe valves;
• Cuts, bends, assembles and installs various pipes, fittings, valves and fixtures for water, sanitary drainage, heating, gas and other plumbing systems;
• Installs, alters, repairs or replaces all types of plumbing fixtures, including, but not limited to, sinks, basins and water closets/toilets;
• Checks plumbing fixtures for leaks and other defects; opens and cleans clogged drains, pipes, and traps;
• Threads, reams, assembles, caulks, solders and welds various pipes and component parts;
• Repairs gas leaks;
• Drains and flushes water heaters;
• Installs, alters and repairs hot water boilers, hot water heaters, kitchen equipment, sterilizers, steam tables, laundry equipment, pressure gauges, soft water supplies, sprinkler heads, and other related equipment;
• Disassembles, cleans and resets bucket steam traps, inverted bucket traps, thermostatic traps and other related steam components;
• Maintains adequate work stock of plumbing supplies;
• Completes work orders and requisition forms;
• Installs and repairs various types of pumps;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs other related work as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note

The knowledge and abilities required to perform this function are attained through possession of a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of a recognized five (5) year military, government or state registered trade apprenticeship as a Plumber.

OR

Five (5) years of experience as a plumber and possession of a Plumbers Journeyman card, County Competency card, or Piping Industry Progress & Education (P.I.P.E.) certification.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment, and the ability to qualify and maintain a County driver authorization.
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Correction Security Clearance to work in locked facilities, throughout the term of employment.Additionally, possession of a Medical Gas Installer certification is desirable.

Knowledge Of

• Standard tools, methods, practices, and materials of the plumbing and steam fitting trades;
• Plumbing codes and ordinances;
• Hazards and safety precautions of the plumbing trade;
• Common office software applications, such as email, word processing and internet browsers.

Ability To

• Read, interpret and work from diagrams, blueprints and schematics;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Plan, layout, and estimate materials and labor cost for plumbing jobs and complete all necessary paperwork;
• Use computer and software applications such as maintenance management software, energy management systems, and common office applications;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Requirements

• Work under the following conditions using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): dust, noise, vibration, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, extreme temperatures, cramped quarters, and inadequate lighting.
• Climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift and grasp;
• Ability to ascend/descend ladders;
• Lift up to 60 pounds.
• For positions in the Facilities and Fleet Department, will be placed on a rotating "on call" list for weekend and holiday coverage of County facilities.On call status requires being available and on-site within two (2) hours of notification.
• May be required to work alternate shifts such as swing or graveyard.