Trades Specialist IV

Job Summary

Under limited supervision, performs skilled tasks in a plumbing shop relating to a comprehensive planned and corrective maintenance program for University-wide plumbing systems including maintenance, installation, renovation, and new construction in over 185 buildings using 1.2 million gallons of domestic water per day with 14,500 miles of campus piping infrastructure.

• Assists with coordination of installation of new and modified plumbing systems (reading blueprints, schematics, or drawings; consulting with University Project Managers, contractors, and sub‑contractors; providing information on existing plumbing systems; reviewing construction areas; estimating costs; actual installation or modification; communication and troubleshooting).
• Serves as backup to the Trackhoe Operator by operating trackhoe to install and repair backflows and to provide digging services for other service units, maintaining the trackhoe, performing routine inspections, minor repairs, and ensuring compliance with national and local codes and regulations.
• Responds to emergency maintenance situations after hours by communicating with night maintenance staff, Facilities personnel, USC Police Department dispatch or governing municipalities representatives, determining plan of action, notifying leadership when a utility is shut down, and physically arriving at the area of distress to resolve the situation.
• Performs administrative tasks including maintaining accurate daily time sheets and records, assisting with inventory control, requisition and monitoring of maintenance supplies and materials, and attending meetings and training events related to customer service, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Maintains and monitors a comprehensive planned and corrective maintenance program for reliable operations of university-wide domestic water, cross connection, and sanitary drainage systems: receiving work orders, communicating with coworkers and supervisors, planning, inspecting, verifying, troubleshooting facility plumbing issues, performing real and backup plumbing work, testing and repairing backflow devices, estimating time and cost of service work, ensuring corrective measures, developing strong customer service practices, and maintaining safety and code compliance.
• Provides additional maintenance support as required.

• High school graduate with 6 years of experience in management or supervision of commercial maintenance and repair services relating to plumbing systems with a journeyman certification in plumbing.

• Job‑related accreditation from a technical school or an applicable skilled trades program and at least 2 years of job‑related experience (equivalents may be substituted).

• Knowledge of general maintenance requirements, trade‑specific maintenance, safe work practices, and typical hazards within the workplace.
• Ability to work within established resources, communicate in writing and orally to management, maintain accurate records, operate computer systems, and organize work materials.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work, develop strong customer service skills, and maintain harmonious relationships with team members and other departmental staff.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate dedication to teamwork and customer service, utilize safe work practices, and promote safety in the workplace.

• Coordination and installation support – 25%
• Trackhoe operation and maintenance – 5%
• Emergency after‑hours response – 5%
• Administrative tasks – 5%
• Planned and corrective maintenance operations – 55%
• Additional maintenance support – 5%

Position is Safety Sensitive and Security Sensitive. Hazardous weather category:
Essential.

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.