Plumber

About Us

The Cambridge Housing Authority ("CHA"), a leader in developing and maintaining affordable housing communities, is seeking a qualified and highly motivated candidate. By focusing on policy innovation and family economic opportunities, the CHA is committed to developing and managing safe, high quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. CHA provides long-term rental housing and rental assistance to more than 5,500+ individuals and families through its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. CHA has been awarded accreditation by the Affordable Housing Accreditation Board (AHAB) and was the seventh affordable housing provider in the nation to receive this prestigious accreditation.

CHA offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience. Our generous benefits package includes health and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, life and disability insurance options, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, retirement pension and deferred compensation 457b plans, and more! CHA employees enjoy flexible work schedules including a hybrid work environment consisting of a combination of on-site and work from home days.

Summary 

The primary purpose of this position is to install, repair and maintain pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste water disposal in all facilities at the Cambridge Housing Authority (“Authority” or “CHA”). 

All activities must support the Authority’s strategic goals and objectives and produce results that accomplish the goals of the Operations department. 

 Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Education and/or Experience

High school diploma, GED or possession of a vocational technical certification beyond high school and at least five to seven years experience in the plumbing trade with at least one year of experience in a supervisory capacity. Must possess a valid Massachusetts Master Plumber’s License. Working knowledge of the Massachusetts Building Code is a plus. Must have valid Massachusetts driver’s license and be insurable under CHA policies. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

 Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a strong background in math, measurements and safety as well as strong knowledge of plumbing installation, repair and maintenance. General knowledge of basic computer programs (MS Office products) is desirable.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.   This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Reviews building plans and specifications to determine the layout for plumbing and related materials
• Identifies and selects the necessary tools, pipes and fittings  for each task
• Possess  the ability to draw diagrammatic plumbing plans for installations and training and layout of plumbing work
• Installs supports and hangers for pipes, fixtures and equipment
• Installs, repairs and maintains sinks, tubs, toilets, water heaters and conditioners, boilers,  plumbing fixtures, appliances, and trim, etc
• Tests pipe systems and fixtures for leaks
• Repacks assorted sized valves and faucet assemblies
• Performs scheduled maintenance service on plumbing systems and fixtures
• Applies all federal, state, and local codes to installations, repairs and maintenance
• Ensures all installations, repairs and maintenance are properly sized, aligned, supported and graded
• Ensures all installations, repairs and maintenance meet the requirements of the appropriate codes
• Performs some administrative duties pertaining to the plumbing unit, including budget preparation, ordering of supplies, preparation of daily reports, and scheduling 
• Supervises the acquisition of proper permits from local and/or state authorities as required for certain plumbing jobs
• Maintains tools, materials and work space in a neat and orderly manner, observing all Authority and OSHA safety regulations
• Performs other related duties as assigned

 Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

 Behavioral Competencies

Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.  

 Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; recognizes working colleagues as customers. 

 Effective Communication:  Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; listens effectively.  

Responsiveness and Accountability:  Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; does fair share of work.  

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

 Job Competencies

• Knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements and activities as they apply to the assigned area of responsibility in the CHA
• Extensive knowledge of all applicable state,  federal and municipal plumbing, building, construction and property maintenance laws, regulations and codes related to plumbing.
• Thorough knowledge of occupational hazards and corresponding OSHA safety precautions necessary for safe performance of assigned duties
• Experience working with assorted circulation pumps
• Ability to repack and install couplings as required
• Knowledge of domestic water distribution systems 
• Knowledge of HVAC systems including boiler controls and building management systems (DDC)
• Knowledge of sanitary,  waste and vent piping
• Knowledge of various plumbing systems associated with old and new construction in multi-family and elderly developments
• Knowledge of        gas stove operation as related to installation and connection and federal, state and local codes for gas appliances.
• Ability to read and understand moderately complex repair and service manuals, diagrams, and instructions/warnings
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, suppliers and the general public
• Must be available for emergency overtime duty as required

 Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands for gripping, handling or feeling; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; and talk and hear. Specific vision abilities include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must also regularly lift and/or move objects up to 60 pounds. 

 Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 The employee works primarily in the field, making frequent in-house visits to units/buildings requiring plumbing installation, repair and/or maintenance. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate.