Campus Plumber/Plumbing Specialist
Location: MIAMI GARDENS, FL 33054 · Type: Full Time
St. Thomas University - Physical Plant
Position Summary
Under the general supervision of Facilities Operations leadership, the Campus
Plumber performs skilled and semi-skilled plumbing maintenance, repair,
installation, and preventive maintenance across the university campus. This
includes academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities, and
administrative spaces. The position ensures the safe, efficient, and
continuous operation of all water distribution, drainage, backflow, and
plumbing fixture systems across campus.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Routine & Emergency Maintenance: Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair
domestic hot/cold water supply systems, drainage, sanitary sewer lines,
storm drains, and vent piping. Respond promptly to urgent leaks, line
blockages, and plumbing emergencies campus-wide.
Fixture Repair & Replacement: Repair or replace toilets, urinals,
flush valves (manual and sensor-operated), faucets, sinks, showers,
drinking fountains, water heaters, and garbage disposals.
Preventative Maintenance: Perform scheduled preventative maintenance
on campus pumps (circulator, sump, lift station), valves, backflow
preventers, and piping assemblies. Maintain routine logs and digital work
order records within the campus maintenance management system (CMMS).
System Inspections & Troubleshooting: Clear drain blockages using
motorized drain augers, hydro-jetters, and specialized diagnostic
equipment. Read and
interpret building blueprints, mechanical schematics, and system layouts.
Modifications & Upgrades: Measure, cut, thread, solder, crimp, and
assemble piping (copper, PVC, CPVC, PEX, cast iron) for minor capital
improvements or facility modifications.
Safety & Code Compliance: Ensure all work adheres to Miami-Dade County
plumbing codes, OSHA standards, and university safety protocols. Maintain
safe work areas and proper PPE during hazardous or elevated work.
Vendor & Project Coordination: Assist facilities leadership in scope
verification and inspection for third-party plumbing contractors working
on major campus renovation or construction projects.
General Department Support: Support overall Physical Plant operations
during major campus events, emergency weather prep (e.g., hurricane
prep/post-storm recovery), and other duties as assigned by leadership
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Vocational or
technical school training in plumbing preferred.
Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of commercial or institutional plumbing
maintenance experience. Higher education campus experience is a plus.
Licensure / Certifications:
Valid State of Florida Driver's License (Required).
Miami-Dade County Journeyman/Master Plumber License or equivalent trade certification (Preferred/Required depending on level).
Backflow Prevention Certification (ASSE 5110 or equivalent) (Preferred).
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Thorough knowledge of commercial plumbing equipment, tools, fittings,
materials, and local plumbing code requirements.
Ability to utilize electronic work order tracking software (CMMS) on
desktop/mobile devices.
Strong problem-solving abilities with high attention to work safety and
cleanliness.
Good interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with
students, faculty, staff, and external vendors in a university setting.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
Must be able to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50–70 lbs regularly.
Requires climbing ladders, crouching, crawling in tight spaces, standing
for
extended periods, and working both indoors and outdoors in South Florida
weather conditions.
Occasional exposure to grease, dirt, wastewater, chemicals, high
temperatures, and loud environments.
Must be available for rotation on-call duties or emergency response
outside standard working hours.
