Templates Guides
Maintenance Plumber Job Description Template: Enhance Hiring to Grow Your Plumbing Business
Plumbing
Looking to hire plumbers? Most plumbing businesses are these days. The number of plumbing job openings increased by 65% in just one year, according to a plumber jobs database shared with ServiceTitan by ZipRecruiter.
The spike in demand for plumbers, including maintenance plumbers, emphasizes the need for plumbing companies to strategize recruitment so they can attract, identify, and hire the best plumber candidates. Creating a customized, up-to-date maintenance plumber job description builds the foundation for employee expectations and goals, so you can grow your plumbing company.
"The purpose of a job description is to lay out the expectation of work for any employee, no matter what their position is in a company," says Ian Schotanus of The Big Picture Consulting, who calls himself "The HR Guy for the Trades." When done correctly, job descriptions give your company a well-executed playbook for the entire employee life cycle.
Make the most of your maintenance 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
What is a maintenance plumber job description?
A maintenance plumber is typically a full-time plumber who repairs and performs preventative maintenance on plumbing systems and pipe systems, such as water systems, drainage systems, gas lines, and hot water heating systems.
Maintenance plumber jobs include a variety of plumbing repair tasks, depending on the services of your plumbing company.
Job descriptions enable your company to set expectations, develop job training programs, evaluate performance, and build a blueprint for promotions and future career pathing, says Vanessa Gonzales, Senior Manager of Product Utilization at ServiceTitan and owner of Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
“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,” Gonzales says.
Build procedures to boost performance
Implement company-wide procedures to boost the efficiency of your maintenance plumbers and increase their average ticket.
ServiceTitan Mobile gives your maintenance plumbers everything they need, right in the field. Upload forms into the app so they automatically trigger during different parts of the job cycle, ensuring each tech remembers to cover every detail, no matter if the work order involves replacing a plumbing fixture, installing a hot water heater, or repairing pipes.
Boost your average job ticket by supplying techs with the 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. Techs arrive at the job site fully prepared with an accurate record of customer information, including CSR notes, call history, or outstanding estimates. It makes it easier than ever for your techs to provide a top-notch customer experience, which leads to more word-of-mouth referrals and top online reviews.
Create your maintenance plumber job description
To create a maintenance plumber job description, consider using a consulting company, a business success group, or a maintenance plumber job description template. Just be sure to tailor it to fit the needs and values of your 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.
Maintenance plumbers working as a journeyman plumber earned a license after completing a trade school or apprenticeship program in the plumbing trade. Their work can range from replacing a faucet or backflow prevention device, or cutting, threading, and assembling pipe and pipe fittings. They work in a variety of working conditions, following plumbing codes and proper safety procedures.
Typical requirements for maintenance plumbers may include:
High school diploma or GED.
A plumbing license.
Knowledge of building codes.
Ability to read blueprints and schematics.
Ability to lift, climb ladders, dexterity in tight work areas, proficiency with hand tools and with power tools.
Excellent problem solving and customer service skills.
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Pass a background check and drug screening.
Besides troubleshooting plumbing problems, your maintenance 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.
Recruiting maintenance 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 maintenance plumber job description template.
Maintenance Plumber
The Maintenance 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.
Prioritize recruitment and hiring
Place priority on recruitment so you can build your team, focusing on ways you can attract quality applicants.
Competitive maintenance plumber pay goes a long way in attracting quality applicants, and varies 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 byPayfactors.com.
Post maintenance plumber job postings on trade job boards, national job boards such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn, or social media. Recruit plumbing techs by word-of-mouth, offering bonuses to your current employees for referrals that result in a new hire. Offer competitive benefits and attractive incentives, such as sign-on bonuses, performance-based pay, and a great company work environment, to attract more job seekers.
"You want to phrase your job posting hinting at what it's like to work for your company," Schotanus advises.
As your company performs plumber interviews, whether for residential or commercial work, focus on the traits and behaviors you most value to find dedicated employees who work well together as a team.
Strategize plumber training
Training empowers your maintenance plumbers by giving them the confidence and knowledge to grow. It shows commitment to your employees’ success and paves the way for future advancement within your company. To encourage employees to reach the next level, consider incentivizing training for licenses or certifications.
In-house maintenance plumber training also allows you to train your techs on your company's procedures and preferred sales techniques. If a tech answers a call to repair a water leak, it’s a great time 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.
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
Get the most out of your day with ServiceTitan scheduling software. Maximize efficiency by sending the right maintenance plumber to the right call, flagging specific jobs as needed, so your plumbers arrive prepared.
ServiceTitan dispatch software allows your dispatchers to extend, shorten, or reschedule jobs as needed, keeping your jobs flexible and proactive. Increase customer satisfaction by notifying customers when a tech will arrive at their home, along with a tech bio and picture.
Simplify payroll and customized incentive pay structures with automated payroll software to reward your top-performing plumbers. Real-time timesheet tracking means your technician’s drive time and wrench time automatically document on their timesheet, enabling you to easily track efficiency and profitability.
Evaluate plumber performance
Field reporting software gives plumbing companies insight on generated revenue, memberships sold, and detailed information for individual techs. When plumbing companies measure results in real time, it gives greater accountability and enables immediate improvement.
"You have to hold people accountable to what it is you're putting in there, whether it's a general list or very specific details," Schotanus says. "If you're not holding people accountable to their job description that you've established, why should anybody else follow their duties?"
Track the key performance indicators (KPIs) that mean the most to your plumbing company, so you can analyze performance compared to company goals, and align your team to succeed.
