Plumber Technician or Plumber

Applicant Information:  Rhodes College will be closed for Thanksgiving from November 23-27, 2026, and Winter Break from December 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027.  While applications may still be submitted during these periods, no recruitment-related communications will be conducted. 

Rhodes College is hiring a Plumber Technician or Plumber for the Physical Plant department, which may be filled at either of the levels based on the selected candidates’ experience and qualifications. To be considered for an opportunity, applicants must meet the job requirements for one of the two positions listed.  A complete application includes a cover letter, a resume, and the names of three references.

• →The Plumber performs yearly backflow testing for the college; the Plumber Technician may perform this task if certified.
• →Repairs and maintains plumbing facilities, including fixtures, pipelines, sewer traps, acid waste, and other specialty plumbing systems.
• →Installs new facilities such as water heaters, drinking fountains, drains, tubs, faucets, valves, pumps, etc.
• →Operates equipment such as Roto-Rooter and other handheld power tools.
• →Replaces and extends old plumbing lines; adds new lines, including cutting and fabricating materials and amending blueprints.
• →Reviews work orders and orders materials for completion of jobs; monitors inventory.
• →Regular attendance is an essential function to perform the duties of this position.
• →Other duties as assigned.

The Plumber Technician is responsible for performing work in the installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing facilities, with oversite from our Maintenance Supervisor and support from our current Master Plumber. This position will increase in scope and outcomes over a two-year period from the date of hire, culminating in the candidate successfully obtaining their Memphis/Shelby County Journeymen Plumber Certification.

• High school diploma or GED equivalency, preferred.
• One to three years’ work experience in plumbing field, required.
• A current backflow certification is preferred.
• This position requires a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and must be insurable by the College’s insurance carrier.
• Must be able to pass a background check, pre-employment physical, physical capacity assessment, and drug screen.

• High school diploma or GED equivalency, preferred.
• This position requires a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and must be insurable by the College’s insurance carrier.
• Must be able to pass a background check, pre-employment physical, physical capacity assessment, and drug screen.
• Five years’ work experience in plumbing field, required.
• A current backflow certification from MLGW is required.
• Memphis/Shelby County Journeyman Plumber’s certificate, required. 

The Plumber is responsible for performing skilled journey-level work in the installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing facilities.

• Ability to lift floor to waist seventy-three (73) pounds.
• Ability to carry tools and equipment up to seventy-three (73) pounds while stepping up and down stairs.
• Ability to lift waist to shoulder twenty-five (25 pounds).
• Climb ladders and perform work at height, including ascending and descending while carrying tools weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds with one hand.
• Ability to frequently work on hands and knees, in bent or stooped positions, and perform sustained overhead work.
• May use forceful grip to loosen and tighten pipe fittings and forceful pulling to extract Roto-Rooter.
• Repetitive use of physical force, including pushing, pulling, lifting, and gripping (grip strength, dexterity, and sustained physical effort).
• Perform pushing and pulling motions using both upper body strength and coordination (i.e., pulling piping equipment) from a kneeling position.
• Maintain physical stamina to complete multiple cycles of strenuous activities safely and efficiently.
• May be exposed to chemical, mechanical or electrical hazards.