Plumber

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

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement program

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

The University of Kansas is seeking a skilled Plumber to perform highly skilled plumbing work across construction and maintenance projects. You will operate vehicles to lay out, fabricate, install and maintain piping and systems for heating, cooling, hot water, and industrial applications, following KU standards and local codes.

Responsibilities include gas equipment and fixture installation, pressure testing, and leading less experienced staff.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED completed.
• One year of journeyman plumber experience; associate degree or vocational certification may substitute the experience.
• Must have backflow certification or obtain it within 6 months of probation.
• Valid driver’s license required for hire and during employment.

Responsibilities

• 60%: Repair and maintain plumbing, lay out, fabricate, install piping and fixtures for heating, cooling and industrial systems.
• 25%: Install and maintain gas equipment, drinking fountains, lavatories, and water stills; test piping for leaks.
• 10%: Assist with ordering materials, complete work orders digitally, train and lead less skilled workers, clean sites.
• 5%: Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Valid driver’s license

Assist with heavy lifting

On-call readiness

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Backflow certification (within 6 months)

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 offers great benefits to employees with 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, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

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

KU’s excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other’s success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

Job Description

60% - Repairs and maintains plumbing by replacing washers, mending burst pipes and opening clogged drains. Lays Out, fabricates, assembling, installation and maintenance of 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 that 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

• High School diploma or completion of GED equivalency.
• One year of experience as a journeyman level plumber. Associate’s degree or vocational school certification may be substituted for the required experience
• Must be backflow certified or become certified within the 6 month probationary period.
• 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.

Additional Candidate Instructions

1. Current contact information including email and phone number
2. Previous work experience including dates of employment
3. Name and contact information to three references

Resume/Cover letter is optional.

Application Review Begins Monday, October 26, 2026

Advertised Salary Range

Starting at $49,600

Anticipated Start Date Monday November 16, 2026