Plumber II - Enterprise Physical Operations

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a skilled plumber to install, maintain and repair complex campus piping systems, including gas, lab vacuum, RO/DI water, steam and condensate networks.

You will read blueprints, estimate materials, and coordinate with facilities teams to minimize service interruptions. The role involves working on-site across the medical school campus, with exposure to high temperatures, dusty environments, and potential biohazardous areas.

Qualifications

• Experience installing and repairing hospital plumbing systems.
• Ability to read blueprints and interpret plumbing codes.
• Ability to estimate labor time and materials for tasks.

Responsibilities

• Works with, maintains, and installs various plumbing systems across the medical school campus, including cabling drains and sewers, clearing clogged lines, installing and sweating pipe, and troubleshooting systems.
• Works with, installs, and maintains the piping on natural gas systems, lab vacuum systems, compressed lab air systems, R.O. and D.I. systems, as well as steam and condensate systems.
• Plans and completes the repairs/installations of plumbing and pipe fitting systems for short-range projects.
• Maintains knowledge of and follows all necessary plumbing codes; reads blueprints and uses appropriate piping materials.
• Estimates labor time, requisitions, and materials needed, coordinating with customers and other staff to minimize interruptions.

Skills

Plumbing

Blueprint reading

Code compliance

Job description

Location

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The Enterprise Physical Operations, Infrastructure, Capital Programs & Real Estate (EPO) department at WashU provides integrated operational, infrastructure, planning, and facility services that support the university's mission of excellence in education, research, patient care, and community engagement.

Guided by our PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism & Planning, Respect & Responsibility, Integrity & Integration, Dedication & Delivery, Excellence & Enterprise Alignment, and Accountability & Stewardship, EPO fosters a culture centered on collaboration, strategic partnership, innovation, accountability, and service excellence across the university enterprise.

EPO manages and supports 28 million gross square feet across 235+ buildings and associated infrastructure systems, encompassing academic, research, clinical, residential, administrative, and support facilities across the university's campuses and operations. Our teams provide strategic leadership and operational expertise in facility management, infrastructure services, capital project delivery, real estate operations, planning, sustainability, engineering, maintenance, environmental services, public safety support, and enterprise operational services.

EPO creates and maintains safe, innovative, efficient, mission-driven environments that support our students, faculty, staff, patients, researchers, and community partners.

For additional information and to hear directly from members of our team, please visit: https://facilities.med.wustl.edu/Careers.

Performs skilled installation, maintenance, and repairs of complex plumbing and piping systems across the medical school campus, including natural gas, lab vacuum, compressed air, R.O./D.I. water, steam, and condensate systems. Independently plans and completes short‑range projects, troubleshoots system issues, and performs tasks such as cabling drains, clearing lines, and installing or sweating piping. Interprets plumbing codes and blueprints, estimates labor and material needs, coordinates work with customers and contractors, and manages service interruptions to minimize operational impact. Effective communication and follow‑through are essential to ensure systems are restored to proper conditions and facility stakeholders remain informed.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Works with, maintains, and installs various plumbing systems across the medical school campus, including cabling drains and sewers, clearing clogged lines, installing and sweating pipe, and troubleshooting systems.
• Works with, installs, and maintains the piping on natural gas systems, lab vacuum systems, compressed lab air systems, R.O. and D.I. systems, as well as steam and condensate systems.
• Plans and completes the repairs/installations of plumbing and pipe fitting systems for short‑range projects.
• Maintains knowledge and understanding of and follows all necessary plumbing codes. Effectively reads blueprints and has knowledge of plumbing piping materials, including metal and plastic pipe materials.
• Prioritizes work and makes an initial assessment of conditions and service needs.
• Estimates labor time, requisitions, and materials needed, and requests assistance from other maintenance staff for long‑range projects.
• Monitors outside service schedules and equipment installation by outside contractors.
• Monitors service schedules/contacts interruptions in service (utility outages).
• Interfaces with customers to schedule/coordinate any interruptions in service (utility outages).
• Follows through on work in progress to verify proper facility conditions are restored.
• Performs a variety of tasks facing plumbing and pipe fitting.
• Keeps Building Services supervisors aware of facility conditions, problems, and needs.
• Maintains effective communication with other Facility Maintenance Coordinators and maintenance staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Works inside and outside, in dusty and dirty places such as pits and equipment spaces where temperatures may exceed 100 degrees, and equipment may be oily and greasy.
• Employee may be required to work in the vicinity of labs containing biohazardous radioactive substances.
• Exposed to wet and cold conditions, as well as noise and vibration from operating equipment.
• Must be able to work in morgues, gross anatomy, and pathology laboratories.

• Stockroom or Warehouse
• Requires extensive safety training
• Alternative work schedules
• Exposure to chemicals
• High noise environment
• On‑Call (Beeper)
• Requires protective devices
• Dust, dirt, grease, or other disagreeable elements
• Patient care setting
• Exposure to moving machinery
• Exposure to animals

Physical Effort

• Typically standing or walking
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping
• Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement
• Using tools requiring high dexterity
• Occasional lifting (25 lbs. or less)
• Occasional lifting (