Plumber

Full Job Description

The Department of General Services, Facilities Maintenance Division is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and supporting the operational integrity of City of Norfolk facilities citywide. This includes administrative buildings, public safety facilities, recreation centers, libraries, pools, the Central Energy Plant, City Hall, the Virginia Zoo, Nauticus, and major cultural and entertainment venues operated under SevenVenues. The division delivers essential trade services—including plumbing, HVAC, electrical, carpentry, and general maintenance—while supporting preventive maintenance programs, emergency response operations, and regulatory compliance.

Within Facilities Maintenance, the Plumbing Shop operates out of Dana Street and provides centralized plumbing services across the City’s diverse facility portfolio. Plumbing staff support high-occupancy public assembly venues, outdoor facilities, mechanical systems, and critical infrastructure, requiring expertise in commercial plumbing systems, emergency response, coordination with contractors, and adherence to applicable codes and safety standards.

The Plumber performs skilled plumbing work involving the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of plumbing systems throughout City of Norfolk facilities. This position supports both routine maintenance and emergency response activities and works on systems including domestic water, drainage, fixtures, pumps, backflow preventers, fire suppression components, and specialty systems such as pools, beach showers, and outdoor facilities.

Work is performed independently and as part of a team under general supervision and requires the ability to diagnose system issues, perform code-compliant repairs, coordinate work with other trades and contractors, and document work accurately in the City’s work order and preventive maintenance systems. This position is designated as essential and may be required to report during inclement weather or emergency conditions.

Requirements

• Installs, maintains, and repairs plumbing systems including water supply and drainage systems, fixtures, faucets, ice machines, garbage disposals, sump pumps, pool systems, and related equipment.
• Troubleshoots plumbing malfunctions by inspecting systems, identifying failed or corroded components, and determining appropriate corrective action.
• Replaces defective piping, fittings, valves, fixtures, and backflow preventers in accordance with code and safety requirements.
• Performs drain cleaning, pipe repairs, and system restorations in occupied facilities and outdoor environments.
• Installs and roughs in water and sewer lines for renovations and capital improvement projects.
• Winterizes and de-winterizes plumbing systems in unheated or seasonal facilities, including draining lines and removing backflow preventers.
• Supports fire suppression and water distribution systems as assigned.
• Assists with plumbing projects by estimating materials, coordinating schedules, working with contractors, inspecting completed work, and reviewing invoices.
• Uses preventive maintenance and work order systems to document labor, materials, and corrective actions.
• Follows strict tool, equipment, and inventory control procedures.
• Responds to plumbing emergencies and participates in on-call and rotating schedules as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned in support of Facilities Maintenance operations.
  

Qualifications

Education:

• Vocational or technical training in plumbing or a related trade beyond high school. Completion of a recognized plumbing apprenticeship program.

Experience:

• Must possess a current Virginia plumbers journeyman's license OR have at least one of the following levels of experience to be eligible to participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia plumber journeyman's license examination:
  • 2 years of practical experience in the trade and an associate's degree or certification of completion from a 2-year program in the trade from an accredited community college or technical school.
  • 4 years of practical experience in the trade and 240 hours of formal vocational training in the trade.
  • 5 years of practical experience in the trade and 160 hours of formal vocational training in the trade.
  • 6 years of practical experience in the trade and 80 hours of formal vocational training in the trade.
  • 7 years of practical experience in the trade and 40 hours of formal vocational training in the trade
  • Bachelor's Degree received from an accredited college or university in an engineering curriculum related to the trade and 1 year of practical experience in the trade
  • 10 years of practical experience in the trade, verified by reference letters of experience from those who observed the candidate's work in the trade.

Preferred:

• Performing plumbing work in commercial, institutional, or municipal facilities.
• Experience working with backflow prevention devices, pool and water feature systems, fire suppression or specialty water systems.
• Experience using a web-based preventive maintenance or work order management system.

Additional Information

• Valid Driver's License required.
• Virginia Journeyman Plumber's License* (see experience).
• Gas Fitter License.
• Backflow License.

Work Schedule:

• Schedule will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.