CLASS SPECIFICATION

MASTER PLUMBER

DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is lead level regulatory compliance work to ensure that all plumbing work performed in the area of responsibility complies with all Federal, State, County, and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) codes, ordinances, regulations and practices that govern the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and operation of a diverse assortment of plumbing systems, fixtures and equipment. An employee in this class is required to be a Master Plumber who is licensed to do work within Montgomery County, Maryland. The employee in this class is required to register as Montgomery County's Master Plumber with WSSC and is responsible for overseeing regulatory requirements on behalf of Montgomery County Government. This Master License is for the sole use of Montgomery County Government in obtaining required permits for the County. This license cannot be used for other work that is not County-related. Contacts are mainly with subordinates, contractor crew leaders, WSSC officials, employees in other County and State units, owners/managers of County business establishments, and County residents to relay results of compliance inspections; provide and/or receive instructions, recommendations and decisions; coordinate and implement project adjustment plans; receive and pass on information; report and respond to emergencies; and otherwise exchange non-routine and routine information and answer questions about assigned project areas and plans; provide cost estimates; and respond to complaints.
An employee in this class is responsible for inspecting, coordinating, monitoring, and overseeing the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of all types of plumbing systems and fixtures, including but not limited to utility supply and disposal systems; sewage, water, gas and oil lines; compressed air, vacuum and acid systems; water closets, heaters, hydrants, valves and pumps; fire and sprinkler systems. The employee is responsible for ensuring that WSSC, County, State, and Federal regulatory requirements are met, including services being performed by in-house employees and vendors on County-owned and/or leased properties. Employees carry out these responsibilities by personally overseeing and inspecting projects carried out by County and vendor employees. The complexities of the work are characterized by the need to plan an assigned project, continuously monitor execution of a number of work projects simultaneously but indirectly through others, ensure regulatory compliance, interface with WSSC officials, contractors, business owners, citizens, and make site visits for direct inspections. Work is assigned in general or specific terms according to the area of responsibility, performed independently, and reviewed through inspection and status reports, discussions and other means for measuring quality, quantity, timeliness and other factors, including budget, safety and client satisfaction. Guidelines include WSSC, County, State and Federal standards and specifications, inspection procedures for the wide variety of plumbing projects and tasks encountered, County contract administration guidelines, as well as generally-accepted journey level plumbing practices and procedures. Some guidelines, such as WSSC regulatory requirements, are specific with no room for deviation; the work requirement is to select and directly apply the correct guideline(s). However, other guidelines are lacking or permit adaptation or innovation in some non-routine situations. The employee decides short-term and mid-term work priorities based on practical matters and mature judgment. The main purpose of the work is to ensure that County plumbing systems, components and related equipment in the area of responsibility comply with all applicable WSSC, County, State, and Federal regulatory requirements. The impact of the work is realized in the safe and effective operation of plumbing systems in County owned and leased facilities and in the safety and comfort of facility users.
Work is performed both in an office and in the field. Office conditions include adequate heating, ventilation and lighting. Field work, such as conducting on-site inspections, includes a variety of conditions such as storms and extreme heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter, working in dirty, confined spaces, uneven lighting. Field work requires wearing protective equipment such as hard hats, steel-toed shoes, and in some cases safety vests. The work includes some physical exertion in the field, including vehicle operation, standing or walking for long periods, bending, reaching, moving about on uneven surfaces and moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Performs inspections of new and existing plumbing equipment in County-owned and leased properties for conformance with WSSC, County, State, and Federal standards. Certifies compliance or non-compliance as inspection results dictate.
Approves existing installations or recommends further plumbing work based on knowledge of the methods and practices involved in constructing, installing, maintaining and operating plumbing installations, equipment and appliances.
Reviews plans and workmanship of plumbers to see if the plumbing work complies with governing ordinances and regulations.
Prepares time and material estimates for plumbing projects to determine the amount of time and materials needed to complete projects. Tracks budgeted funds.
Leads the work of crews composed of plumbers and trades helpers involved in the maintenance, repair and installation of plumbing and gas systems at County-owned and/or leased properties by assigning work, providing instructions and advice, inspecting work in progress, and performing related tasks.
Maintains records of work performed and develops periodic summaries from such records.
Responds to after-hours calls and serves in a stand-by capacity for emergencies and special events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Thorough (5 years) experience as a journey level plumber, one year of which must have been as a Plumber II or as a lead plumber in private industry or other government organization.
Education: Completion of High School of High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of the plumbing and related trades to identify requirements, prepare specifications, monitor and inspect the work of contractors and County employees in the installation, maintenance and repair of the full range of plumbing systems and subsystems including, but not limited to, sanitary lines, gas lines and sprinkler systems. This includes thorough knowledge of applicable codes, standards, methods, tools, materials, and improper practices that may result in faulty, substandard or hazardous conditions.
Thorough knowledge of inspection and investigation methods and procedures; e.g., documenting case histories and enforcing contract provisions relative to regulatory requirements.
Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the plumbing and related trades.
Thorough knowledge of building and fire codes as related to the work performed within the plumbing and related trades.
Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant information on order to solve trade-related problems.
Skill in written communication to understand written information (e.g., instructions, descriptions and ideas) and to express such information in writing so that others will understand. Examples include using parts catalogs and regulations, preparing and reviewing such documents as work orders and specifications, and reading and understanding general administrative information.
Skill in oral communication to understand verbal information (e.g., instructions, descriptions, ideas) and to express such information so that others will understand. Examples include exchanging information about job requirements and progress or problems on the job, and keeping the supervisor and others informed.
Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with personal contacts in a customer service oriented, businesslike manner.
Ability to assign and direct the work of one or more plumbers and trades helpers.
Ability to work stand-by shifts and respond to after-hours emergency service calls.
Ability to use all hand and power tools and equipment used in the plumbing and related trades.
Ability to perform work inside and outside year round, where it may be necessary to work from overhead or in stretched, cramped or awkward or tiring positions.
Ability to work from mechanical drawings, specifications, sketches and work orders to prepare material lists, specifications, and cost estimates.

LICENSE:
Possession and maintenance of Master Level Plumber's, Gas Fitter's and Sewer Cleaner's licenses issued by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC).
Possession and maintenance of WSSC certification to install and maintain backflow prevention devices when required for job-related duties.
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to a position in this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six months. Performance will be carefully evaluated during the probationary period. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Core Exam the respiratory questionnaire.

Class Established: November 2011