Trade Specialist I - Facilities & Services

The Facilities Management Department at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Trades Specialist I.

About the Opportunity

Under the supervision of the Plumbing Shop Manager and Lead II Pipefitter, this position performs journeyman level pipefitting, steam fitting, maintenance, installation, and repair work as outlined by University guidelines. Shall provide guidance to staff as assigned.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Develops requisitions for parts, supplies, etc. from Warehouse and vendors, ensuring timely delivery and sequencing. Performs maintenance duties as assigned.
• Maintains and utilizes personal protective equipment when performing work or entering hazardous areas.
• Shall interpret blueprints and specifications; shall requisition parts, materials, and supplies from Warehouse for jobs as assigned; shall draw line drawings as required. Will also be responsible for tools and equipment used in the performance of duties. Shall leave work areas in a neat and orderly manner. Job duties are not to be considered so specific as to exclude any work which may cross tasks or other assigned duties.
• Installs, maintains, repairs, and overhauls steam distribution systems up to 250 PSI consisting of steam traps, pressure relief valves, condensate returns, expansion joints, steam rated valves, and pressure regulating valves. Also maintains and repairs coils and heat exchangers associated with the steam system.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs lavatory sinks, water closets, fire hydrants, sprinkler systems, domestic water, distilled water systems, sewage systems, and deionized water systems. This will include such fixtures as hot water tanks, water coolers, water filters, ice machines, dish machines, water treatment systems for cooling and heating water, training room equipment.
• Repairs, maintains, and installs high and low pressure gas systems such as compressed air, natural gas, nitrogen, oxygen, and gas fire extinguishing systems. Repairs, maintains, and installs vacuum systems for mechanical and laboratory use.
• Operates test equipment to inspect and diagnose piping systems, steam traps, heat exchangers, and valves. Operates hand tools and power equipment such as drain snake, grinder, drill press, pipe-threading machine, pipe cutters, power saw, brazing equipment, air compressor, and various other tools as needed.
• Must maintain safe working conditions in steam tunnels, trenches, manholes, ceiling space, crawl space, and other working areas utilizing safety devices such as harness, shoring for trench work, ventilation fans for pit and tunnel work, ground fault, and protective clothing when needed.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs chilled water and heating water distribution systems along with all associated valves, tanks, air bleeders, and coils.
• Shall operate equipment such as hole saws, reciprocating saws, concrete saws, and hammer drills to penetrate walls, beams, floors, and other barriers for the purpose of installing piping systems. Shall install proper supports and hangers for piping and fixtures to ensure safety.
• Shall remove non-asbestos insulation and lagging material from piping systems to ensure that proper diagnosis and repairs can be made. Shall also remove material in a manner that it may be reused is possible.
• May be required to move, load, and carry all materials and equipment necessary to complete all phases of assigned maintenance and construction projects. May be required to assist in the effort of moving any existing conditions which interfere with the flow of the project. When project is completed, work site must be left in a clean and orderly fashion. Must be able to respond during off hours to cover emergency situations.
• Must be able to operate computers utilizing various software programs such as: Physical Plant maintenance management programs involving work orders and materials accountability, building support systems, and other systems as necessary.
• May be required to perform duties in response to emergency situations in order to meet operational needs. The response can be during off hours or as an extension of the duty day, to include short or no notice notifications. An emergency situation is characterized as an abnormal environmental condition that impacts personnel or equipment and if left unchecked, can result in an unhealthy or monetary loss to the University.
• May be required to perform general maintenance duties in assisting other trades and operations. Performs other duties as assigned.

Pay Grade: 13

Work Hours: 7:00am - 3:00pm

• High School diploma / GED required
• Must have one of the following:
  • 2 years experience in the maintenance and repair of piping and/or steam distribution system.
  • Completion of an associate degree in plumbing.
  • Completion of a 2-year accredited vocational plumbing program.
  • Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
    
  • All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to maintain proper attendance and punctuality standards.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain average or above work standards.
• Demonstrated ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to sketch line drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to work on scaffolds and ladders at various heights.
• Demonstrated knowledge of usage of metric system pertaining to unit.
• Understanding of occupational health and safety standards and procedures.
• Familiarity with basic principles in the areas of blueprint reading, general mathematics, applied chemistry, and physics.
• Can demonstrate a general understanding of local building regulations and pipefitting codes.
• Demonstrated ability to lookup regulations and codes using reference manuals and the internet.
• Familiarity with industry-specific tools and equipment and their use, including basic and specialized hand tools (e.g. wrenches, plumbing hand tools, cutting and bending tools/equipment, basic welding equipment, machine threading and hand threading equipment, and plumbing test equipment).
• Demonstrated ability to identify and operate several types of industry-specific power equipment such as sewer snakes, cameras, hydro-jetters, following proper operating procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret building plans and working drawings to determine equipment and materials and sequence of pipe installations required for the job.
• Demonstrated ability to properly inspect structures to ascertain obstructions to be avoided to prevent holes for pipes in walls and floors using ruler, spirit level, and plumb bob.
• Demonstrated ability to make cuts and openings in beams, ceilings, floors, roofs, and walls to accommodate pipe and pipe fittings using hand tools and power tools.
• Identify proper technique used to hand steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipe in place, is needed.
• Demonstrated ability to cut and thread pipes with the use of pipe cutters, cutting torches, and pipe threading machines.
• Demonstrated ability to bend pipe to required angle by use of pipe threading machine or by placing pipe over block and bending it by hand.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately assemble and install valves, pipe fittings, and pipes composed of metals such as iron, steel, brass, and lead; and non-metals such as glass, vitrified clay, and plastic using hand and power tools.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately join pipes by use of screws, bolts, fittings, solder, cement, or plastic solvent.
• Can demonstrate proper technique used to caulk joints.
• Can demonstrate proper technique used to connect the pipe system to outside water or sewer lines.
• Can demonstrate ability to fill pipe system with water or air and read pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, repair, replace, and diagnose small appliances and fixtures.
• Identify proper procedure for a final check of the system to ensure that it works properly.
• Demonstrated ability to trace troubles in existing plumbing by replacing worn parts of valves and other fixtures, mending burst pipes, and opening clogged drains and lines.
• Demonstrated ability to repair existing piping systems by cutting out defective pipe, replacing with new, and sealing the connections.
• Identify proper techniques used to reroute or extend piping systems.
• Demonstrated ability to inspect, make routine repairs/adjustments to maintain equipment and tools in proper and safe working condition.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain work area in a clean and safe condition.
• Demonstrated ability to work with precision as regards to the attainment of set limits, tolerances, or standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work under stress to meet schedule deadlines or when confronted with emergencies.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a computer.
• Demonstrated ability to work in extreme temperature environments.

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid Driver's License.
• Journeyman pipefitter or steamfitter certification preferred

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.