Steamfitter

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 76,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Steamfitter to maintain and repair steam, heating, cooling, and mechanical systems across campus facilities. The role emphasizes preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and safe operation in active buildings, supporting academic, research, and campus activities.

The successful candidate will apply strong maintenance knowledge, read blueprints, and work with a team of facilities professionals to keep critical systems running reliably.

Qualifications

• Journeyman-level experience as a Steamfitter or HVAC-R technician.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible service experience troubleshooting and repairing steam and heating systems, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and repair mechanical systems in an institutional, commercial, or industrial environment.
• Drivers License Required - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards

Responsibilities

• Gathers materials, prepares work area, and maintains equipment and supplies needed for jobs
• Interprets blueprints and drawings to assess and verify specifications and to calculate the materials and equipment required. Discusses project plan with customer/client
• Installs, troubleshoots, and services Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVACR) systems and equipment
• Collaborates with and assists contractors as needed
• Cleans work area upon completion of projects according to established guidelines and expectations
• Reviews finished projects with client/customer. Maintains records and reports of work status and completion according to established deadlines and expectations
• Performs skilled steamfitter work according to established trade standards and applicable building and safety codes

Skills

Steamfitter journeyman

HVAC-R troubleshooting

Mechanical aptitude

Driver's license

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

University Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Steamfitter

Job Summary:

About the Position:

The Steamfitter position plays a critical role in maintaining the reliability, safety, and efficiency of UW-Madison's steam, heating, cooling, and mechanical systems that support academic, research, and campus facilities. The successful candidate will apply strong maintenance and troubleshooting skills to diagnose equipment issues, perform preventive and corrective repairs, and ensure the continuous operation of complex mechanical systems in active, occupied buildings.

Key responsibilities include inspecting, servicing, repairing, and maintaining steam distribution equipment, heating systems, piping networks, valves, pumps, and mechanical cooling equipment. The role requires advanced problem-solving abilities, mechanical aptitude, and a proactive approach to preventive maintenance to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.

Working alongside other skilled trades and facilities professionals, this position offers hands‑on experience supporting large-scale campus infrastructure. Success in this role depends on strong maintenance knowledge, troubleshooting expertise, attention to detail, and the ability to safely perform repairs and maintenance activities on a wide variety of complex mechanical systems in a service-focused environment.

If you take pride in keeping critical systems running reliably and enjoy solving complex mechanical challenges, we invite you to bring your maintenance expertise to the team and help support the UW-Madison campus community.

Ongoing/Renewable

Full‑Time: 100% FTE

Hours generally scheduled Monday- Friday 7:00am- 3:30pm. Work is performed onsite.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Gathers materials, prepares work area, and maintains equipment and supplies needed for jobs
• Interprets blueprints and drawings to assess and verify specifications and to calculate the materials and equipment required. Discusses project plan with customer/client
• Installs, troubleshoots, and services Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVACR) systems and equipment
• Collaborates with and assists contractors as needed
• Cleans work area upon completion of projects according to established guidelines and expectations
• Reviews finished projects with client/customer. Maintains records and reports of work status and completion according to established deadlines and expectations
• Performs skilled steamfitter work according to established trade standards and applicable building and safety codes

Department:

Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Physical Plant, Mechanical Systems

About the Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M):

The Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M) is a full-spectrum service organization that builds, maintains, and operates the physical environment of UW-Madison in the university's education, research, and outreach activities. We are responsible for everything from the building projects that change the face of campus to the flowers that beautify the grounds.

Find out more about our Division: https://inside.fpm.wisc.edu/about-fpm/

Compensation:

Minimum $55.35 Hourly Rate

Crafts Workers may elect an increased vacation allocation with a corresponding reduction to the prevailing rate

• 100 hour leave rate: $57.16
• 140 hour leave rate: $56.27
• 180 hour leave rate: $55.35

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Required Qualifications:

• Journeyman-level experience as a Steamfitter or HVAC-R technician.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible service experience troubleshooting and repairing steam and heating systems, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and repair mechanical systems in an institutional, commercial, or industrial environment.
• Drivers License Required - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of a service-focused apprenticeship program in Steamfitting or HVAC-R.
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical cooling systems, including chilled water and HVAC-R equipment, in addition to steam and heating systems.
• Experience working in a large institutional or campus environment with complex mechanical systems.

Education:

Preferred; High School Diploma or GED

Contact Information:

Miluska Canicoba, 608-262-6593, [e-mail]

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.