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Plumbing Installer Job Description Template: Make Quality Hires to Grow Your Plumbing Business
Plumbing
Plumbing installers perform an essential role in your company, from replacing faucets and water heaters to installing pipes and water supply lines. The current demand for plumbers makes finding quality, knowledgeable employees increasingly harder, as job postings for workers with plumbing experience swelled by more than 133% since early 2020, according to a plumber jobs database shared with ServiceTitan by ZipRecruiter.
In order to surpass their competition, plumbing companies must find creative ways to strategize recruitment and hiring. To find quality plumbers, including plumbing installers, companies should create customized, updated job descriptions to build a solid foundation for each position.
"The purpose of a job description is to lay out the expectation of work for any employee, no matter what their position is in a company," says Ian Schotanus of The Big Picture Consulting, who calls himself "The HR Guy for the Trades." When done correctly, job descriptions give your company a well-executed playbook for the entire employee life cycle.
Maximize your plumbing installer job description by using an all-in-one plumbing software solution, and learn best practices to grow your plumbing company.
Table of Contents
What is a plumbing installer job description?
A plumbing installer typically works as an experienced plumber, specializing in the installation of pipe in plumbing systems and installation of plumbing fixtures in commercial or residential settings. In addition, plumbers repair and perform preventative maintenance on pipe systems, such as water systems, drainage systems, gas lines, and hot water heating systems.
The job title “plumbing installer” may include a variety of tasks, depending on the services your plumbing company offers. That’s where job descriptions come in.
Job descriptions enable your company to set expectations, develop job training programs, evaluate performance, and build a blueprint for promotions and future career pathing, says Vanessa Gonzales, Senior Manager of Product Utilization at ServiceTitan and owner of Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
“Job descriptions also allow many people performing the same job to be measured by the same goals and expectations, while allowing the team to know where they're falling short,” she says.
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Establish procedures to boost performance
While it’s important to hire the right plumbing installers, establish company-wide procedures to help your employees work more efficiently and meet their goals.
ServiceTitan Mobile gives your plumbing installers everything they need, no matter the job or location. Upload forms into the app so they automatically trigger during different parts of the job cycle, ensuring plumbers remember to cover every detail, no matter if they’re installing a dishwasher, replacing a plumbing fixture, or repairing pipes.
Boost your average job ticket by supplying plumbers with the right digital tools to build branded, tiered cost estimates based on the accurate price, with just a few taps. Since customers can visually compare good-better-best options through high-quality photos and videos, they may choose a higher-priced option or an upgrade made affordable with customer financing, thereby maximizing your profit.
All-in-one software keeps your whole team in the loop, every minute of the day. Plumbing installers arrive at the job site fully prepared with complete customer information, including CSR notes, call history, or outstanding estimates. It makes it easier than ever for your plumbers to provide top-notch customer experiences, which leads to more word-of-mouth referrals and top online reviews.
Customize your plumbing installer job description
If your company needs to create a plumber job description, consider using a consulting company, a business success group, or a plumber job description template. The key? Customizing it to fit the values and goals of your company.
Recruiting plumbing installers in a competitive hiring market requires a detailed and compelling job description. Save time writing your job description and make it simple with this customizable plumbing installer job description template.
Plumbing Installer
Under the direction of a Licensed Plumber, the Plumbing Installer assists in maintaining plumbing systems, identifying repair or replacement needs, providing necessary information on the proper uses of equipment, and ensuring adequate materials are available to complete assignments.
► Primary responsibilities:
Assists with diagnosing problems and/or failures in plumbing systems.
Assists with installing various domestic water and vacuum systems.
Documents activities for the purpose of providing written support.
Assists in repairing various systems or components to include toilets, sinks, vents, faucets, water softeners, garbage disposals, sewer lines, vacuum breakers, hot water heaters, etc.
Assists with repair of pipes, ensuring items are functional and in safe working condition.
Requests equipment and supplies to maintain inventory and ensure availability of materials.
Tests for leaks in new and repaired systems with compressed air and/or water.
Assists with measuring, cutting, threading, bending, reaming, and installing pipe and pipe fittings.
Assembles pipe sections, tubing, or fittings.
Assists in locating and marking position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, or fixtures in structures.
Maintains a properly clean and stocked service vehicle.
Attends weekly departmental meetings.
Participates in periodic inventory and truck inspections.
Maintains tools and machinery in good condition and uses all tools in a safety-conscious manner.
Explains to the client each service performed each time a maintenance or repair is completed and ensures complete customer satisfaction.
Provides pricing to the customer for approval prior to performing any work.
Participates in all company-sponsored training classes.
Always maintains a professional image by:
Wearing only company-approved and provided company apparel.
Following safety policies and procedures.
Abiding by all company standards of performance and code of ethics.
Maintaining a courteous demeanor with all customers and associates.
Maintains company vehicle, ensuring cleanliness and organization, both inside and out.
Respecting the customer’s property.
► Required knowledge, skills and abilities:
Ability to perform multiple technical tasks to include operating equipment, adhering to safety practices, and planning/managing projects.
Ability to perform algebra and/or geometry, read technical information, compose documents, and solve practical problems.
Willingness to pursue or currently pursuing a plumbing license.
Computer proficiency to include Microsoft Word and Excel.
Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
► Educational/certification requirements:
GED or High School Diploma.
PREFERRED: Apprentice license.
► Environmental conditions:
Field service environment.
Exposure to smells associated with sewer and water, sounds associated with power tools.
Exposure to dust and other debris.
Extreme weather conditions.
Extended work hours to include day and/or evening shifts.
Local travel.
► Physical requirements:
Ability to work under stressful conditions and may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations.
Must be able to work extended hours, nights or weekends.
Ability to stand, walk, and climb ladders and stairs.
Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
Natural or corrected vision to see and focus for close, distance, peripheral vision with normal depth perception.
Work assignments may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation to a known disability.
“If you take somebody else's job descriptions, especially if they come from out of state, there’s going to be different expectations,” Schotanus says.
Some companies hire plumbing installers with minimum experience, while others look for journeyman plumbers with a plumbing license who completed a trade school, technical school, or apprenticeship program. On the job, plumbing installers may work in construction sites alongside construction workers, HVAC technicians, and electricians, following codes and safety procedures.
Typical educational requirements and skills for plumbing installers may include:
High school diploma or GED.
Knowledge of pipe systems and pipe fittings.
Ability to read blueprints and knowledge of building codes.
Ability to lift, climb ladders, dexterity in tight work areas, proficiency with plumbing tools and with power tools.
Excellent problem solving and customer service skills.
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Pass a background check and drug screening.
Besides troubleshooting plumbing problems, your plumbing installers also need excellent interpersonal skills as they diagnose and explain problems to customers, suggest solutions, and sell preventative maintenance agreements to grow recurring revenue.
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Strategize recruitment and hiring
Seek ways you can attract higher-quality applicants, strategizing recruitment so you can build your team. Offer competitive benefits and attractive incentives, such as sign-on bonuses, performance-based pay, paid schooling, and tool allowances. Advertise your company’s positive work environment to attract more job seekers.
"You want to phrase your job posting hinting at what it's like to work for your company," Schotanus advises.
Post plumbing installer job postings on social media, trade job boards, or national job boards. Recruit plumbing techs by word-of-mouth, offering bonuses to your current employees for referrals that result in a new hire.
Competitive plumbing installer pay goes a long way in attracting quality applicants, and varies based on years of experience or geographical area. The 50th percentile full-time salary for plumbers with intermediate experience (2-4 years) is $57,700, and for senior plumbers (4-6 years), it’s $60,700, according to a plumber salary database shared with ServiceTitan by Payfactors.com.
As your company asks plumber interview questions, whether for residential or commercial work, focus on the traits and behaviors your company values most so you can find dedicated employees who work well together as a team.
Focus on plumbing installer training
Each company operates differently, so it’s important to train your plumbing installers on your company’s procedures, processes, and preferred sales techniques.
In-house training gives your employees the confidence and knowledge to grow as they learn from experienced techs. It also enables you to personalize your training based on your company values. Russell Furr, owner of Culpepper Home Services in Virginia, relies heavily on training techs to develop empathy for customer needs.
“One of the things I enjoyed the most in the field was just interacting with customers and learning what their needs were,” says Furr, in a recent ServiceTitan Toolbox for the Trades podcast. “That’s what I did—served their needs, not mine. And that’s what we always need to do.”
Training shows commitment to your employees’ success and paves the way for future advancement within your company. If you hire right, you can train your plumbers to become future plumbing supervisors. Strategize and think long-term about employee roles to remain flexible and dynamic as your company grows.
Streamline plumbing operations
Maximize each day with ServiceTitan scheduling software, saving your company time and money. Assign the right plumber to the right call, flagging specific jobs as needed, so they arrive prepared.
ServiceTitan dispatch software enables your dispatchers to extend, shorten, or reschedule jobs as needed, keeping your jobs flexible and proactive throughout the day. Increase customer satisfaction by texting appointment reminders and notifying customers when their tech will arrive. You can even send a tech bio and picture, so they know exactly who will arrive at their home.
Simplify complex payroll and customized incentive pay structures with automated payroll software to reward your top-performing plumbers, increasing employee satisfaction. Real-time timesheet tracking automatically documents your technician’s drive time and wrench time on their timesheet, enabling you to easily track efficiency and profitability.
Measure plumbing installer performance
Now that your company completed job descriptions, what’s next? Follow-up. When plumbing companies measure results in real time, it gives greater accountability and enables immediate improvement.
"You have to hold people accountable to what it is you're putting in there, whether it's a general list or very specific details," Schotanus says. "If you're not holding people accountable to their job description that you've established, why should anybody else follow their duties?"
Field reporting software gives plumbing companies insight on generated revenue, memberships sold, and other detailed information for individual techs. Track the key performance indicators (KPIs) that mean the most to your plumbing company, so you can boost the flow of revenue and grow.
