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Plumber Helper Job Description Template: Hire the Right Techs to Scale Up
Plumbing
Want to grow your plumbing company? You may need to take a close look at your plumbing company's job descriptions. In the current competitive hiring environment, plumbing companies must fine-tune their plumber helper job description and recruitment process so they can identify and hire reliable, skilled candidates.
Recent plumber job data shared with ServiceTitan by ZipRecruiter, a job board leader in the trades, shows posted plumber helper jobs jumped 126% (134 to 303) from January 2021 to November 2021. This increase shows the demand for recruiting and training entry-level talent in the plumbing field.
Your company's plumber helper job description enables you to identify the best plumber helpers, so you can find the employees you need and grow your company. Implementing streamlined procedures ensures your plumber helpers excel and provides a method to measure success. Read on to learn best practices to maximize your plumber helper job description.
Table of Contents
What is a plumber helper job description?
A plumbers helper assists plumbers in a variety of plumbing services, so jobs can get done quickly and efficiently. They differ from apprentices, who learn on the job as they complete training hours to obtain a journeyman license and advance in the field.
Your company's plumber helper job description establishes employee expectations and enables your company to set and measure goals for the position.
“Job descriptions also allow many people performing the same job to be measured by the same goals and expectations, while allowing the team to know where they're falling short,” says Vanessa Gonzales, Senior Manager of Product Utilization at ServiceTitan and owner of Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
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Create procedures to boost performance
While you want to hire the employees from the start, create procedures so they can perform their jobs at the highest level.
ServiceTitan Plumbing Software gives your plumbing employees everything they need, no matter their location. With ServiceTitan Mobile your plumbers, apprentice plumbers, and plumber helpers provide better customer service, because they possess complete customer information at their fingertips. Streamline and simplify your processes by uploading forms into the app so they automatically trigger during different parts of the job cycle, ensuring your plumbers remember to cover every detail.
When it comes to boosting your average job ticket, your plumbers can build branded, tiered cost estimates with just a few taps, complete with high-quality photos, videos, and descriptions. This allows the customer to visually compare good-better-best options and choose a higher-priced option made affordable with customer financing, therefore maximizing your profit.
When plumbers arrive at each job fully informed and prepared, it sets the stage for a high-quality customer experience, leading to more referrals and top online reviews.
Identify top skills
Plumber helpers assist plumbers as they repair, maintain and install plumbing systems, including unclogging drains, replacing faucets, repairing garbage disposals, and installing new water heaters.
Plumber helpers possess basic plumbing knowledge and mechanical skills so they can help master plumbers as they troubleshoot plumbing equipment failures or water pressure issues in accordance with building codes. Depending on the service your company provides, they may also help to repair or install sprinkler pipes or drainage systems in residential or commercial settings.
Pipefitter helpers assist pipefitters as they install, maintain, and fabricate mechanical piping systems and repair pipes. They select the size of pipe and use pipe cutters and other tools to cut, thread, and assemble new pipes, soldering, brazing, and welding as needed. They assist in placing pipes in hangers and other supports.
Plumber helpers work in a variety of working conditions depending on the job site. Their duties require physical agility to fix plumbing fixtures in tight work areas, and manual dexterity in using hand tools and power tools.
The best plumbing helpers possess good time management, problem-solving and communication skills, and pay attention to detail. When hiring plumber helpers, decide which traits and characteristics rank topmost and hire for those qualities.
Customize your plumber helper job description
If your plumbing company needs to create or re-write job descriptions, consider using a consulting company, a business success group, or a plumber's helper job description template. If you use a template to write your own job description, make sure you customize it for your company.
Recruiting plumber helpers in a competitive hiring market requires a detailed and compelling job description. Save time writing your job description and make it simple with this customizable plumber helper job description template.
Plumber Helper
Under the direction of a Licensed Plumber, the Plumber Helper assists in maintaining plumbing systems, identifying repair or replacement needs, providing necessary information on the proper uses of equipment, and ensuring adequate materials are available to complete assignments.
► Primary responsibilities:
Assists with diagnosing problems and/or failures in plumbing systems.
Assists with installing various domestic water and vacuum systems.
Documents activities for the purpose of providing written support.
Assists in repairing various systems or components to include toilets, sinks, vents, faucets, water softeners, garbage disposals, sewer lines, vacuum breakers, hot water heaters, etc.
Assists with repair of pipes, ensuring items are functional and in safe working condition.
Requests equipment and supplies to maintain inventory and ensure availability of materials.
Tests for leaks in new and repaired systems with compressed air and/or water.
Assists with measuring, cutting, threading, bending, reaming, and installing pipe and pipe fittings.
Assembles pipe sections, tubing, or fittings.
Assists in locating and marking position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures.
Maintains a properly clean and stocked service vehicle.
Attends weekly departmental meetings.
Participates in periodic inventory and truck inspections.
Maintains tools and machinery in good condition and uses all tools in a safety-conscious manner.
Explains to the client each service performed each time a maintenance or repair is completed and ensures complete customer satisfaction.
Provides pricing to the customer for approval prior to performing any work.
Participates in all company-sponsored training classes.
Always maintains a professional image by:
Wearing only company-approved and provided company apparel.
Following safety policies and procedures.
Abiding by all company standards of performance and code of ethics.
Maintaining a courteous demeanor with all customers and associates.
Maintains company vehicle, ensuring cleanliness and organization, both inside and out.
Respecting the customer’s property.
► Required knowledge, skills and abilities:
Ability to perform multiple technical tasks to include operating equipment, adhering to safety practices, and planning/managing projects.
Ability to perform algebra and/or geometry, read technical information, compose documents, and solve practical problems.
Willingness to pursue or currently pursuing a plumbing license.
Computer proficiency to include Microsoft Word and Excel.
Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
► Educational/certification requirements:
GED or High School Diploma.
PREFERRED: Apprentice license.
► Environmental conditions:
Field service environment.
Exposure to smells associated with sewer and water, sounds associated with power tools.
Exposure to dust and other debris.
Extreme weather conditions.
Extended work hours to include day and/or evening shifts.
Local travel.
► Physical requirements:
Ability to work under stressful conditions and may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations.
Must be able to work extended hours, nights or weekends.
Ability to stand, walk, and climb ladders and stairs.
Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
Natural or corrected vision to see and focus for close, distance, peripheral vision with normal depth perception.
Work assignments may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation to a known disability.
Job descriptions should give your company a well-executed playbook for the entire employee life cycle, says Ian Schotanus of The Big Picture Consulting, who calls himself “The HR Guy for the Trades.”
“If you take somebody else's job descriptions, especially if they come from out of state, there’s going to be different expectations,” Schotanus says. “Are you wanting to grow your business and structure your business, or do you want to try to make a carbon copy of that business?”
For plumber helper jobs, the plumber apprentice job description outlines the general hiring requirements, which typically includes a valid driver's license and a high school diploma or GED or completion of a trade school program.
In addition, job descriptions enable your company to set expectations, develop job training programs, evaluate performance, and build a blueprint for promotions and future career pathing, Gonzales says.
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Strategize recruitment and hiring
Every employee plays an important role in your company, no matter the job title. Strategize the recruitment and hiring process to remain on the lookout for quality plumber helpers.
Post comprehensive plumber helper job descriptions on trade job boards or national job boards such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn, or social media to advertise plumber helper jobs.
Recruiting plumber helpers in a competitive hiring market requires a detailed and compelling job description. Save time writing your job description and make it simple with this customizable plumber helper job description template.
Ensure your company offers competitive full-time plumber helper salaries to attract top candidates. Plumber helper salaries vary depending on the geographical region. Nationwide, the 50th percentile salary for an entry-level plumber with 0-2 years of experience is $46,400, according toPayfactors.com data shared with ServiceTitan.
Word-of-mouth through service technicians and other employees remains one of the best ways for plumbing recruitment. Tommy Mello, owner ofA1 Garage Door Service and host of the Home Service Expert podcast, says business owners in the trades should make recruiting a core business function.
“Some people say, ‘always be closing.’ I say, ‘always be recruiting,’” says Mello, who gives employees $1,500 for a new hire referral. Other companies give team members bonuses for every anniversary of their referral’s hire date.
As your company performs plumber interviews, whether for residential or commercial work, focus on your company's values so you can hire employees who work well together as a team.
Prioritize plumber helper training
Training your plumber helpers gives your company the opportunity to train employees on your company’s individual processes and procedures. If you hire the right people for your plumbing helper jobs, you can train them to advance in the field.
In-house training also enables you to personalize your training based on your company values.
Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating & Cooling started their own in-house, accredited training program in HVAC, electrical, or plumbing to combat the labor shortage and train techs to take their licensing test.
“The goal,” Gonzales said, “is when it ends they are ready and prepared to take the licensing test for whatever field they chose. They are learning how to accurately troubleshoot, how to install the right way, the codes. And they are learning, from top techs, all that you have to know when you become a tech.”
As your company hires and trains, strategize and think long-term about employee roles to remain flexible and dynamic as your company grows.
Streamline plumbing operations
Improve your company's efficiency by using ServiceTitan scheduling software to maximize the schedules of your techs, apprentices, and plumber helpers. Work more efficiently by assigning the right techs to the right call, flagging specific jobs as needed, so techs arrive prepared.
Keep the lines of communication open between your dispatchers and techs in the field with ServiceTitan dispatch software, extending, shortening, or rescheduling jobs as needed. All job information, even call history, customer communication, and preventative maintenance agreements remain in one place, keeping every team member in the loop.
Simplify payroll and customized incentive pay structures with automated payroll software to reward your top-performing employees and increase employee satisfaction. The integration with other critical software means you can easily track profitability and efficiency.
Track plumber helper performance
So your company created, updated, and refined job descriptions-now what? The most important part becomes the follow-up.
“If you want the job description to be effective and useful, then you have to hold people accountable to it,” Schotanus says.
Field reporting software gives plumbing companies real-time data on generated revenue, memberships sold, and detailed information for individual techs. Track the key performance indicators (KPIs) that mean the most to your plumbing company, so you can compare individual employee performance to overall company goals.
Analyze your company's total financial picture so you can accurately measure results and drive your company forward.
