Templates Guides
Journeyman Plumber Job Description Template: Hire Experienced Plumbers to Grow Your Business
Plumbing
As more companies in the skilled trades industry seek to hire plumbers, it seems more difficult than ever to find quality hires. Numbers prove it, as job postings for plumbers and plumbing technicians surged by 160.72% since early 2020, according to a plumber jobs database shared with ServiceTitan by ZipRecruiter.
The rise in demand for plumbers, including journeyman plumber jobs, means your company needs to strategize the hiring process to identify the best candidates and hire the plumbers you need. A customized, up-to-date journeyman plumber job description sets the framework for employee expectations and goals, so you can grow your plumbing company.
When done correctly, job descriptions 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."
"It manages expectations. It provides clarity, and it gives you a baseline to build that employer-employee relationship," Schotanus says.
Maximize your journeyman plumber job description by using an all-in-one plumbing software solution, and read on to learn additional best practices for hiring.
» Want to grow your plumbing business? Click here to get a demo.
Table of Contents
Implement procedures to boost performance
Give your journeyman plumbers the tools to succeed by implementing company-wide procedures to help them work more efficiently and boost their average ticket.
ServiceTitan Mobile gives your journeyman plumbers everything they need, right at their fingertips. Standardize your processes by uploading forms into the app so they automatically trigger during different parts of the job cycle, ensuring your techs remember to cover every detail, no matter if the work order entails installing a water heater, replacing plumbing fixtures, or diagnosing a water line problem.
Boost your techs' average job ticket by supplying them with digital tools to build branded, tiered cost estimates based on the accurate price with just a few taps, complete with high-quality photos, videos, and descriptions. When a customer can visually compare good-better-best options, they're more likely to choose a higher-priced option or an upgrade made affordable with customer financing, thereby maximizing your profit.
All-in-one software keeps your whole team in the loop, and techs arrive at the job site fully prepared with complete customer information, including CSR notes, call history, or outstanding estimates. It makes it easier than ever for your techs to provide a stellar customer experience, which leads to more word-of-mouth referrals and top online reviews.
Create your journeyman plumber job description
If your plumbing company needs to create or fine-tune job descriptions, consider using a consulting company, a business success group, or a journeyman plumber job description template. If you use a template, make sure you customize the job title and description, because techs may perform different duties depending on the company.
“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?”
What is a journeyman plumber?
A journeyman plumber holds a journeyman plumber license, after completing a trade school or apprenticeship program in the plumbing trade. Journeyman plumber license requirements vary widely depending on the state or city. Journeyman plumbers may choose to advance and obtain their master plumber license.
What does a journeyman plumber do?
Licensed journeyman plumbers work as experts in new construction or residential and commercial service, installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing systems and drainage systems, following plumbing codes. Their work can range from fixing a faucet in a customer's home to cutting, threading, and installing pipe in a large construction project. Jobs include full-time, part-time, weekend, and on-call.
What are journeyman plumber requirements?
Typical requirements may include:
High school diploma or GED.
Journeyman plumbing license.
Ability to read blueprints and schematics.
Knowledge of water distribution and disposal systems, and building codes.
Ability to lift, climb ladders, move in tight work areas, and proficiency with power tools.
Excellent customer service skills.
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Pass a background check and drug screening.
Besides troubleshooting plumbing problems, your journeyman plumbers also need superior communication skills as they diagnose and explain problems to customers, suggest solutions, and sell preventative maintenance agreements to grow recurring revenue.
The #1 newsletter for the trades.
Strategize recruitment and hiring
Finding the right journeyman plumbers requires strategic recruitment.
Recruiting journeyman plumbers 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 journeyman plumber job description template.
Journeyman Plumber
The Journeyman Plumber will apply their technical skills and knowledge in performing diagnostic, service, and installation of plumbing in residential and light commercial environments and ensure that work is performed in accordance with relevant codes. Responsibilities include assembling, installing or repairing pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems in accordance with plumbing code specifications.
► Primary responsibilities:
Performs residential and light commercial service calls to diagnose and resolve plumbing issues.
Identifies potential problems to prevent premature and/or unexpected breakdowns/callbacks.
Maintains and repairs plumbing systems carrying water, steam, chemicals, and fuel in heating, cooling, lubricating and other process piping systems.
Inspects high-pressure, air, steam, water, and gas systems to ascertain malfunctions.
Repairs or replaces plumbing fixtures, tests joints, and pipe systems.
Interprets drawings and specifications to determine layout requirements.
Reviews blueprints, building codes or specifications to determine work details and procedure.
Studies building plans and inspects structures to assess material and equipment needs, establish sequence of pipe installations, and plan installation around obstructions.
Measure, cut, thread, bend, ream, and install pipe and pipe fittings.
Assemble pipe sections, tubing, or fittings.
Locates and marks position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures.
Installs pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances or fixtures using hand or power tools.
Maintains accurate documentation of service calls and time management.
Submits all complete paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
Maintains 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.
Explains club membership agreements to every client; maintains a 25% Club Membership conversion rate on repair clients.
Documents Part Sheets listing, corresponding job numbers and parts used on each job and turns in to the office daily.
Debriefs with dispatch after completion of every job.
Creates or calls in for PO numbers for any materials picked up at suppliers and provides cost before and after taxes to ensure accuracy.
Turns in all parts receipts/packing slips daily and has corresponding job numbers written on them.
Provides pricing to the customer for approval prior to performing any work.
Retains 80% of Membership Clients and maintains an 80% appointment conversion ratio in the home.
Maximizes lead opportunities based on the company's business plan.
Participate in all company-sponsored training classes.
Always maintain a professional image by:
Wearing only company-approved and provided Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® 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:
Must have a minimum of five years of verifiable plumbing experience in a residential service and maintenance operation.
Knowledge of local and national plumbing codes.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings.
Basic change order cost estimating experience.
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.
Journeyman license
Preferred: Associate degree in related field.
► 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.
Post comprehensive journeyman plumber job descriptions on trade job boards, national job boards such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn, or social media to advertise jobs. Recruit plumbing techs by word-of-mouth, offering bonuses to your current employees for referrals that result in a new hire. Or take an out-of-the-box approach like John Akhoian, owner of Rooter Hero Plumbing, who hands out cards to hard-working service workers, encouraging them to apply to his company.
Competitive journeyman plumber pay goes a long way in attracting quality applicants, and changes based on years of experience or geographical area. The 50th percentile full-time salary for plumbers with intermediate experience (2-4 years) is $57,700, and for senior plumbers (4-6 years), it’s $60,700, according to a plumber salary database shared with ServiceTitan by Payfactors.com.
Offer competitive benefits, such as health, vision, dental and life insurance, a retirement plan with company matching funds, and paid holidays and vacation time. Extra incentives like tuition reimbursement, tool purchasing, a take-home company vehicle, professional development opportunities, or performance-based bonuses may attract more job seekers.
As your company performs plumber interviews, whether for residential or commercial work, focus on your company's core values so you can hire techs who work well together as a team.
Prioritize journeyman plumber training
In-house training enables you to personalize your training based on your company's procedures and values.
Empower your journeyman plumbers to turn plumbing leads into sales. Implement plumbing sales training for your preferred procedures and sales techniques
If you want an employee to push, say, unsold estimates, align incentives with the behavior you want driven, says Chris Hunter, Director of Customer Relations at ServiceTitan and Co-owner of Go Time Success Group. Make it worthwhile for employees to close plumbing service leads or upsell products and services.
If a tech answers a call to fix a clog or water leak, it’s a great time for them to check other potential maintenance issues. Make it protocol for techs to communicate other services of your plumbing company or inform new customers about the benefits of maintenance memberships.
Training enables you to grow your team. If you hire right, you can train your journeyman or apprentice plumbers to become future supervisors. 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
Drive efficiency with ServiceTitan scheduling software and maximize your work schedule. Save time by assigning the right plumber journeyman 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 and customer communication, remains 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 journeyman plumbers and increase employee satisfaction. The integration with other critical software means you can easily track profitability and efficiency, so you can make adjustments as needed.
Measure journeyman plumber performance
When plumbing companies keep an eye on numbers in real time, it gives greater accountability and allows immediate improvement. Field reporting software gives plumbing companies insight on generated revenue, memberships sold, and detailed information for individual techs.
“If you want the job description to be effective and useful, then you have to hold people accountable to it,” Schotanus says.
Track the key performance indicators (KPIs) that mean the most to your plumbing company, so you can see how individual employee performance measures up to company goals. Accurately gauge your company's performance so you can drive your business forward.
