Plumbing Specialist II - Facilities Services - UTK

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking a Plumbing Specialist to perform advanced plumbing and heating tasks across campus utility systems, including steam, water, gas, and sewer. Work involves high-pressure steam operations, installation, maintenance, and repair with minimal supervision.

Candidates should have vocational or technical training and at least five years' experience in plumbing or related trades; the role requires strong problem-solving, safety awareness, and the ability

Qualifications

• Knowledge of high-pressure steam operations and water systems.
• Ability to perform advanced repairs and installations, including welding.
• Read blueprints and prepare material lists as needed.
• Work under extreme pressure in public and departmental settings.
• Valid driver license and legal work authorization.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced plumbing and heating tasks, including layout, repair, and installation of utility piping systems.
• Work on steam distribution systems, including steam plant condensate return and campus-wide steam distribution.
• Maintain and repair high-pressure steam operations, including valves, expansion joints, steam traps, pressure reducing stations, condensate tanks, pumps, heat converters, and domestic hot water equipment.
• Water Systems: Operate, install, and repair water systems including valves (up to 123), water reducing stations, backflows, VFD pumps, fire hydrants, sewer lift stations, and sewer lines.
• Address issues related to chilled water distribution, including installation and repair.
• Gas Utility Systems: Investigate, repair, and install industrial gas‑fired water heaters and other gas utility systems.
• Underground Utilities: Install and repair campus‑owned underground utilities such as high‑pressure steam distribution, low‑pressure steam, condensate, domestic water, chilled water, gas, sewer, and storm sewers.
• Acquire knowledge of pipe systems, supports, and related equipment for operations and testing.
• Equipment Installation & Repair: Install new equipment and repair existing equipment, including gas‑fired domestic water boilers, steam water heaters, storm quality units, water service lines, sewer lines, fire hydrants, geothermal systems, hazardous chemical systems, heat converters, chillers, and water fountains.
• Assist Maintenance & Repair with issues outside their expertise and support Construction with major plumbing or steam jobs and special projects.
• Reporting & Communication: Report job information to supervision and/or Senior Plumber, including ongoing work and any unsafe practices or conditions.
• Obtain materials needed for daily work assignments and perform preventive maintenance (PM) as defined.
• Learn and use computer‑based facility operation software.
• Safety & Learning: Follow instructions and work effectively in emergency situations.
• Increase knowledge of welding to assist with welding operations and utility systems.
• Continuously learn about the Universitye2e2 s utility systems, internal and external building systems, and related safety protocols.

Skills

High-pressure steam ops

Water systems

Blueprint reading

Welding skills

Education

Vocational or technical training

Job description

Job Description

The Plumbing Specialist performs advanced plumbing and heating duties with minimal supervision. This role involves working with various campus-owned utility piping systems to include; steam, water, gas, and sewer systems. A critical aspect of the role is the ability to learn and gain knowledge in high-pressure steam operations; which include the operation and repair of valves (up to 16\") , expansion joints, steam traps, pressure reducing stations, condensate tanks, pumps, heat converters, and steam domestic hot water equipment. The specialist is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of high-pressure steam systems, domestic water systems, gas utilities, and other plumbing infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced plumbing and heating tasks, including layout, repair, and installation of utility piping systems.
• Work on steam distribution systems, including steam plant condensate return and campus-wide steam distribution.
• Maintain and repair high-pressure steam operations, including valves, expansion joints, steam traps, pressure reducing stations, condensate tanks, pumps, heat converters, and domestic hot water equipment.
• Water Systems: Operate, install, and repair water systems including valves (up to 12\") , water reducing stations, backflows, VFD pumps, fire hydrants, sewer lift stations, and sewer lines.
• Address issues related to chilled water distribution, including installation and repair.
• Gas Utility Systems: Investigate, repair, and install industrial gas‑fired water heaters and other gas utility systems.
• Underground Utilities: Install and repair campus‑owned underground utilities such as high‑pressure steam distribution, low‑pressure steam, condensate, domestic water, chilled water, gas, sewer, and storm sewers.
• Acquire knowledge of pipe systems, supports, and related equipment for operations and testing.
• Equipment Installation & Repair: Install new equipment and repair existing equipment, including gas‑fired domestic water boilers, steam water heaters, storm quality units, water service lines, sewer lines, fire hydrants, geothermal systems, hazardous chemical systems, heat converters, chillers, and water fountains.
• Assist Maintenance & Repair with issues outside their expertise and support Construction with major plumbing or steam jobs and special projects.
• Reporting & Communication: Report job information to supervision and/or Senior Plumber, including ongoing work and any unsafe practices or conditions.
• Obtain materials needed for daily work assignments and perform preventive maintenance (PM) as defined.
• Learn and use computer‑based facility operation software.
• Safety & Learning: Follow instructions and work effectively in emergency situations.
• Increase knowledge of welding to assist with welding operations and utility systems.
• Continuously learn about the University's utility systems, internal and external building systems, and related safety protocols.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Vocational or technical training
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in plumbing or trade school experience (experience may substitute for trade school education on a year-for-year basis).
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of high-pressure steam operations and water systems.
  • Ability to perform advanced repairs and installations, including welding skills.
  • Understanding of plumbing distribution systems and equipment, controls, piping, skills in use of all equipment and tools relating to plumbing areas of work.
  • Ability to perform under extreme pressure in both a public contact and internal departmental capacity.
  • Ability to perform duties in a highly technical and sometimes hazardous and hectic environment.
  • Ability to solve problems and repair plumbing and piping systems and components and interact with others in an efficient and responsible manner.
  • Ability to read blueprints and make a material list as needed.
  • Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to follow detailed instructions.
  • Ability to perform physically demanding tasks related to plumbing and heating systems.
• Other Conditions:
  • Valid Driver's license
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment‑based visa status.

Work Location

• University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
• This is an on‑site position

Compensation And Benefits

• UT market range: MR07
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About The College/Department/Division

UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non‑academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in‑house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around‑the‑clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree‑granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land‑grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work‑life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top‑tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land‑grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.