Plumber III - State Hospital - Maximum Security Unit (MSU)

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Functional Title: Plumber III - State Hospital - Maximum Security Unit (MSU) 
Job Title: Plumber III 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Plant Maintenance 
Posting Number: 19723 
Closing Date: 11/08/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 
Salary Range: $4,263.17 - $6,779.16 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-20 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location: Rio Grande State Center 
Job Location City: HARLINGEN 
Job Location Address: 1401 S RANGERVILLE RD 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 1171,12K,3E4X1,DC,MAT,UT 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

Performs advanced (senior-level) installation, maintenance, and repair work of plumbing systems and components at the facilities.  Installs and repairs plumbing systems. Inspects, tests, and troubleshoots plumbing equipment.  Coordinates plumbing repairs performed by others.   Advises others on plumbing issues when planning maintenance projects.  Participates in planning long-range plumbing maintenance programs as part of the maintenance team.  Maintains and renovates plumbing systems.  Processes paperwork related to work orders, projects, and material requisitions. Assigns work to others qualified to perform the work. Trains, coordinates, and leads the work of others in the maintenance department on projects involving plumbing work. Maintains and oversees records. Works under limited supervision of the plant manager, assistant plant manager (or other appropriate supervisor depending on facility structure), with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Performs advanced-level plumbing work.  Assembles pipe sections, tubing, or fittings using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing, or welding equipment.  Installs pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances, or fixtures using hand or power tools.  Installs energy-efficient and water-conserving equipment and alternative water sources.  Locates and marks the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures.  Measures, cuts, threads, or bends pipe to required angles using hand or power tools or machines. Welds small pipes or special piping using specialized techniques, equipment, or materials.  Inspects structures to assess material or equipment needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, or to plan installation around obstructions such as electrical wiring.

Oversees and performs moderately technical and preventative maintenance tasks on all plumbing equipment. Performs troubleshooting and maintenance procedures needed to keep all plumbing equipment operating in a safe and efficient manner. Anticipates and recognizes failures in the operation of the equipment. Correctly identifies the cause of the system or equipment failure and identifies the necessary corrective action. Takes proactive action to prevent failures.

Acts as a lead worker on plumbing maintenance or repair projects. Collaborates with maintenance supervisors to establish work schedules and assign appropriate staff.  Trains employees on plumbing-related equipment, procedures, and safety practices. Maintains training records.   Delegates plumbing work to those qualified to perform it and oversees their work.

Performs inspections, adjustments, maintenance, and repair work in accordance with recognized codes and standards for plumbing work to ensure proper maintenance and repair. Evaluates work to be performed and determines the best method for performing plumbing maintenance and repair work.  Competently and safely uses job-specific equipment.

Performs repairs and renovations to modernize the plumbing system in a building or building system to increase safety or efficiency. Participates in the design and planning process to ensure conformity to applicable codes and standards. Develops plans, materials, and equipment specifications, and estimates for plumbing related projects. Prepares requisition orders for spot purchase of necessary materials and maintain inventory records of materials and supplies.  Makes estimates related to time, materials, and/or labor costs for repair jobs or project plans.

Schedule and oversees the work of the contracted vendors for outsourced services. Inspects maintenance work performed by contractors to ensure contract compliance.

Maintains inventory of shop equipment, supplies, materials, and components. Maintain tools and equipment assigned and/or issued by utilizing, applying, and performing periodical maintenance and repair on equipment and tools following manufactures guidelines, cleaning tools/equipment after each use to ensure tools and equipment operate in a safe and functional manner and ensuring tools are secured properly stored and accounted for upon completion of task or projects.

Accurately processes paperwork and maintains records on work orders, projects, and material requisitions to include documenting length of time spent on each job, materials used, and describing work completed.  Develops plumbing activity and repair standard operating procedures as assigned.

Communicates, orally and in writing, to facilitate maintenance-related business and promote productive work relationships.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

American with Disabilities Act, etc. or ability to learn how they apply to facilities Knowledge of plumbing systems

Knowledge of safety regulations.

Knowledge of the repair, maintenance, and operations of plumbing systems within buildings, building systems and on facility grounds.

Basic working knowledge of other areas within the maintenance department such as boilers, painting, plastering and carpentry, building materials, electrical, welding procedures, HVAC, sanitation, and refrigeration.

Knowledge of industrial safety, fire and safety regulations.

Advanced skill in the use of tools used in plumbing repair and maintenance.

Skill in the general use of hand tools, power tools, and test equipment.

Skill in preventative maintenance and inspections of plumbing systems.

Ability to read plumbing blueprints, schematics.

Ability to follow instructions, estimate materials, apply proper methods, techniques and procedures in the maintenance and repair of plumbing systems.                                              

Ability to interpret drawings, schematics, or sketches.

Ability to organize preventive maintenance programs.

Ability to lead, prioritize and oversee the work of others.

Ability to work independently or with a team.

Ability to work harmoniously with co-workers and other facility staff.

Ability to solve problems, make decisions and use good judgment.

Ability to communicate effectively orally or in writing with other members of the maintenance and facility team.

Ability to apply proper methods and procedures in the maintenance and repair of plumbing fixtures, sanitation disposal systems, potable water systems and related equipment.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be a licensed Plumber with the State of Texas.

Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Three years of experience work in plumbing.

Three years of experience working in a maintenance program in a residential setting or maintaining plumbing in multiple building is preferred.

Preferred: Bilingual in English an Spanish

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.