Building Technician, Plumber

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Job Description

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is seeking a dedicated individual to fill a full-time Building Technician - Plumber position for the Reno campus.

• Performs light plumbing preventative/emergency maintenance including, but not limited to, faucet repair, mixing valve replacement, water heater replacement, clearing drains, and replacing flush valves, repairing or replacing sewer ejector pumps and motors.
• Performs complex, technical, and skilled plumbing/pipe fitting duties for laboratory and central plant systems such as compressed air and vacuum, deionized water, and domestic and industrial hot and cold water systems
• Ability to install gas lines and related fixtures and fittings; maintain and repair above and underground waste systems; solder and braze pipes & perform coil leak repairs
• Ability to read and draw diagrams of piping systems normally associated with a large campus
• Respond to work orders assigned for temperature, leaks, smells, repairs, etc.
• Modify and repair existing mechanical systems
• Monitor the campus building system using the Building Automation System (BAS), aka Direct Digital Control (DDC) system, and diagnose issues while performing the duties of the operator.
• Maintain department budgets, supervise spending, and manage vendor purchasing accounts to maintain department fiscal accountability.
• Other duties as assigned. May include, but is not limited to providing general assistance to department personnel, faculty and staff; provide for building safety and security as well as inspect and maintain emergency systems for the buildings and physical plant.

Mechanical systems include chillers, cooling towers, air handlers, furnaces, boilers, fan coil units, compressors, heat pumps, VAV boxes, walk in freezers and refrigerators, and related mechanical/electrical equipment such as variable frequency drives, motors, pumps and fans.

This position is required to participate in a rotating on-call and respond to after hour alarms and emergencies. As a Building Technician, the incumbent is expected to independently respond to and resolve emergency service calls and alarms, taking appropriate action to minimize downtime, ensure continuous operations, staff comfort, and safety.

In addition, the Building Technician - Plumber will be working in a team environment and will participate in all aspects of maintaining the facility when needed. Examples include remodeling and renovation of office and laboratory spaces, installation of scientific equipment and/or experimental setups. Tasks may also include moving furniture, light carpentry, carpet, drywall installation, painting and light HVAC, in addition to plumbing systems, as well as other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a certified plumbing/pipe fitting apprenticeship program and two years of varied journey level plumbing and pipe fitting experience OR five years equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Current Nevada/City of Reno Journeyman Plumber license or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the operation, maintenance, and repair of buildings, plumbing and mechanical systems
• Knowledge of construction safety standards and ability to strictly enforce all safety protocols
• Knowledge of or basic understanding in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Experience with a…