Plumber Foreman

Primary Purpose

Serves as General Foreman of the Plumbing Shop. The function of this shop is to install, repair, and perform scheduled maintenance on a variety of facility infrastructure plumbing systems such as natural gas piping, potable water systems, back-flow prevention, non-potable water systems (e.g. sprinkler systems), hot water heaters, and irrigation systems.

Provides supervision and managerial expertise necessary to assure the aforementioned systems are properly installed, serviced, and maintained to assure maximum life and reliability.

Education and Certification

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Texas State Accredited Journeyman Plumbers License
• Masters plumber license preferred
• May be required to register Masters License with the local municipality as Master of Record for Comal ISD
• Possess State Backflow Testers Certification preferred
• Valid Texas Drivers License with driving record that meets the requirements of the District

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Possess ability and communication skills necessary to express thoughts, philosophies, and technical matters clearly both verbally and in writing to a variety of recipients
• Possess high degree of diplomacy and tact coupled with the ability to calmly think and render sound decisions quickly during periods of extreme pressure or crisis
• Possess exceptional managerial and aggressive leadership qualities and be highly skilled in planning effective utilization of resources to satisfy a constantly changing work load with frequent shifts in priorities
• Possess knowledge and familiarity with an array of irrigation systems, fixtures, appurtenances associated with potable and non-potable water, natural gas, steam, hot water, air, sewage, and storm water drainage
• Knowledge must be sufficient to allow the incumbent to determine if the systems are being properly utilized, installed, serviced, and maintained in the most economical and safe manner
• Knowledge of how to design and specify required modifications or replacements if needed
• Possess professional understanding of the theory, design, philosophy, operational performance analysis, and maintenance practices germane to installed building plumbing systems, irrigation systems, and kitchen equipment is required
• Possess the ability to read, interpret, and rationalize plans, structural diagrams, and drawings provided by architects, manufacturers, and installing contractors in order to evaluate operational reliability, identify potential weaknesses, and make repairs to systems
• Thoroughly familiar with the use and maintenance of the industrial grade tools and equipment used by the various trades such as large powered augers, backhoes, ditching machines, and video pipe tracing equipment

Experience and Other Requirements

• Minimum of ten (10) years plumbing experience is required to include rounded field experience to perform effective inspections, identify operations, and perform diagnostics on essential systems and fixtures to include irrigation systems
• Personal cell phone is required to handle district-related business, including after hours or when away from the office on district business

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Responsible for the installation, aesthetics, serviceability, and effective maintenance of all plumbing infrastructure systems, irrigation systems, and associated installed equipment owned by the District
• Performs inspections and reviews of recurring maintenance and service logs to determine the remaining life and adequacy of service intervals of installed equipment
• Performs feasibility and cost analysis for upgrade, life extension, or replacement of antiquated systems, taking into consideration long-term support issues such as replacement component support and elevated repair costs on equipment nearing life cycle end
• Develops formal maintenance inspection programs for all plumbing systems, irrigation systems, and kitchen equipment, implements recurring service schedules, provides oversight to assure that completed maintenance meets minimum standards of quality, and follows up on delinquent actions
• Prepares budget forecasts for plumbing programs and requests additional funds to support new requirements
• Performs analysis of system operational reliability and failure trends to identify systems needing to be included in the plumbing program and determine scheduled plumbing intervals
• Plans are reviewed to ensure that new hardware equipment are maintainable, reliable, compatible with installed CISD systems, and that the design is in compliance with CISD criteria, local codes, applicable safety, ADA, and industry standards
• Oversees all associated excavation, fill, and backfill compaction required to repair and install irrigation water lines
• Oversees the installation of irrigation plumbing lines of all diameters and includes all associated control valves, joints, and drip irrigation systems
• Ensures all pumps and back-flow prevention valves for irrigation systems are kept in working condition and inspected annually
• Keeps the Director of Maintenance informed of the capability to meet deadlines, manpower, equipment requirements to be programmed for internal realignment necessitated by unusual work requirements and similar contingencies
• Conducts supervisory meetings, identifies work limitations, areas of concern, and substandard or marginal performance, monitors work schedules, justifies, authorizes, and administers the overtime program, formulates, reviews, and analyzes management indicators, and takes corrective action to reverse unfavorable trends
• Responsible for properly maintaining district records, adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance, and learning the records retention schedule for department records
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises and evaluates employees in Plumbing and Waste Water Treatments
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Districts policies and applicable laws
• Responsible for interviewing and hiring new staff

Equipment Used

• Hand and power tools
• Pipe bender
• Propane torch
• Welding equipment
• Sewer rooter
• Heavy equipment, including forklift, trencher, backhoe
• Personal computer
• Pipe inspection tracing equipment
• Gas detectors
• District vehicle

Working Conditions

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, and vibration.
• Occasionally exposed to high precarious places, extreme cold, and extreme heat.
• Frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.
• Frequently required to work in hazardous Class A and Class B confined places under buildings and in crawl spaces that necessitate special breathing apparatus and rescue techniques.
• Tasks are performed inside and out where worker may be subject to cuts, bruises, and burns from hand or power tools. When required, wears protective clothing and equipment which may be uncomfortable.
• Work is usually dirty, dusty, and greasy. Inside work areas are sometimes damp and drafty or subject to inadequate ventilation.
• There is danger of injury from falls from ladders or from other elevated equipment.
• Occasionally exposed to natural gas and propane fumes when working in and around appliances.
• Must be able to read and comprehend warning signs, cautions, labels, and Material Data Safety Sheets to safely and correctly use chemical products.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, or holidays during periods of imminent freezes or other emergencies which may arise.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.