Plumber

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

Retirement program

Medical & dental insurance

Life and disability insurance

Educational development opportunities

Tuition assistance

Job summary

University of Kansas is seeking a skilled Plumber to perform high-level maintenance and new-install work on campus facilities. You will lay out, fabricate, install, and maintain piping systems for heating, cooling, hot water, and industrial services, following blueprints and KU standards.

The role requires steady performance under varying conditions, careful adherence to safety and building codes, and the ability to lead less experienced workers when needed.

Qualifications

• One year of journeyman plumbing experience.
• Backflow certification or able to obtain within 6 months.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Repairs and maintains plumbing systems, piping, fixtures and equipment per blueprints and codes.
• Installs gas equipment, drinking fountains, lavatories and distillation stills; tests for leaks.
• Previews, orders materials, trains junior staff, and handles work orders and site cleanup.
• Other duties as assigned, including snow removal and surface treatment.

Skills

Journeyman plumber

Backflow certification

Blueprint reading

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate's degree or vocational certification substitution

Job description

Position Overview

The Plumber position is highly skilled plumbing work in both construction and maintenance activities. Work requires the operation of work issued vehicles to perform lay outs, fabrication, assembling, installation and maintenance of piping and piping systems, fixtures and equipment for heating, cooling, hot water, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial systems, installation and maintenance of gas heating equipment, drinking fountains, lavatories, commodes, and distilled water stills. Tests plumbing materials and equipment. May act as lead worker to less skilled maintenance employees. Considerable judgment is required of the incumbent in completion of work. Work is reviewed on completion for compliance with pre-set specifications, with instructions being general in nature.

Work Schedule

7:30am-4:00pm, Monday to Friday with overtime and after hours call back as needed.

Facilities Services within KU Operations

Plays a vital role in maintaining an inviting and safe campus environment that supports teaching, learning and research. KU Operations supports KU's mission of learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor by providing the visible and behind-the-scenes services that make possible the university's academic and research missions. Learn more about working for Facilities Services here: Working For Facilities Services | Facilities Services

KU Benefits

• up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year
• 96 hours of sick leave earned per year
• nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day
• a retirement program
• medical & dental insurance
• life and disability insurance
• other benefit plan options
• State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors
• KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details available at: https://humanresources.ku.edu/tuition-assistance

Job Description

60% - Repairs and maintains plumbing by replacing washers, mending burst pipes and opening clogged drains. Lays Out, fabricates, assembles, installs and maintains piping and piping systems, fixtures and equipment for heating, cooling, hot water, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial systems. On the basis of knowledge of general piping and specific building system operations, selects type and size of pipes and related materials to meet job specifications as detailed in blueprint, specification sheet, etc. Plans sequence of installation or repair to avoid obstruction and/or other misplacement of piping. Cuts, threads, and bends pipes using a variety of appropriate tools and methods. Assembles and installs a variety of metal and non-metal piping and pipe fittings for sewer, water, natural gas and compressed air pipes, couplings, traps, traps etching and pipe fittings, including those made of brass, copper, lead and plastic. Joins piping by means of threaded, calked, wiped, soldered, brazed, fused, 0 cemented joint. Secures pipes to structure with clamps, brackets and hangers, using hand and power tools. Maintains water softeners. Performs all work in accordance with local building codes and KU standards.

25% - Installs and maintains gas equipment, drinking fountains, lavatories, commodes, distilled water stills, etc. Tests piping systems for leaks by increasing pressure in pipes and observing gages. Assembles and installs valves, pipe fittings and pipe composed of metals such as iron, steel, brass and non-metals such as glass, vitrified clay and plastic, using hand and power tools. Test water for hardness, PH and other concerns in water stills, building boiler systems, and other areas.

10% - Previews, assists in ordering and otherwise obtains plumbing materials and equipment. Digitally complete work orders and other communications associated with work. Trains, instructs and acts as lead worker to less skilled positions. Cleans and maintains work sites and equipment. Performs other related work as assigned. Assists with snow removal and surface treatment.

5% - Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

1. Lift and carry up to 20 pounds constantly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, with or without accommodation.
2. Reach, grasp, lift, carry, and place moderately heavy loads frequently, and heavy loads occasionally with or without accommodation.
3. Work under a variety of temperature and weather extremes, both inside and outdoors.
4. Report to work during declared periods of inclement weather.
5. Respond to after-hours emergencies as needed.
6. Work overtime as needed.
7. Must work a rotational on-call/stand-by schedule.
8. Must have a valid driver's license at the time of hire and throughout the term of employment.
9. Must enter work order information digitally.

Required Qualifications

1. High School diploma or completion of GED equivalency.
2. One year of experience as a journeyman level plumber. Associate's degree or vocational school certification may be substituted for the required experience
3. Must be backflow certified or become certified within the 6 month probationary period.
4. Must have a valid driver's license by the time of hire and throughout the term of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated experience reading, interpreting, and working from sketches, blueprints, job specifications, and schematics as evidenced by application materials.
2. Previous experience working in a college, university or large commercial setting.
3. Demonstrated experience interacting directly with customers as evidenced by application materials.
4. Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety practices of the plumbing trade as evidenced by application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants

Charles Helmer
[e-mail]
785-864-1298

Advertised Salary Range

Starting at $49,600

Anticipated Start Date

Monday November 16, 2026