Journeyperson Plumber, Campus Operations at University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, SK

Job description

The University of Saskatchewan is one of the top research-intensive universities in Canada. Guided by our University Plan: The University the World Needs, we work together across disciplines and with our communities to find creative solutions to the most pressing global challenges. The main campus also houses our campus partners such as the Royal University Hospital, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, National Research Council, and others. The total building area is 8.1 million square feet (754,000 square meters) across 766 hectares of land. The Facilities team is comprised of over 300 service workers and trades personnel that provide trusted services and stewardship in support of teaching, learning, and discovery. This team is responsible for operations, maintenance, service, utilities distribution, and customer support. The Facilities Team Charter describes the purpose, vision, and values that in turn support the campus community. Primary Purpose: To provide expert service, maintenance, and repair of campus plumbing systems and related mechanical systems, with a strong focus on preventive and predictive maintenance. This role plays a critical part in ensuring reliable building operations while contributing positively to a collaborative, accountable, and safety-conscious team culture. Nature of Work: Reporting to an Assistant Manager, Facilities, this position works in a multi-trade environment across a large and diverse campus. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and involves moderate to heavy physical labor. The role requires independent work as well as collaboration with other trades, clients, and contractors, often in high-pressure situations and under changing priorities. Physical demands include lifting heavy objects, climbing ladders, and working in confined spaces, crawlspaces, elevated platforms, and construction zones, sometimes under hot, humid, noisy, or low-visibility conditions. Workers may encounter hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, silica, biohazards, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection requiring a clean-shaven face, will be provided and must be worn when required. This position participates in a rotational on-call schedule and may have shift changes based on operational needs. Summary: Performs skilled plumbing work to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair water distribution, drainage, natural gas, and specialty piping systems across the University. Supports the safe and reliable operation of academic, research, administrative, and residential facilities through preventive maintenance, emergency response, and technical expertise. Contributes to renovation and capital projects by providing trade knowledge and system recommendations. Maintains compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and safety standards while supporting service excellence and the University's operational and sustainability objectives. Duties and Responsibilities: Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and modify domestic water, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, and natural gas systems serving University facilities. Diagnose complex plumbing and gas system issues, investigate failures, and implement corrective actions to restore service and minimize operational disruptions. Respond to emergency situations including water leaks, burst pipes, sewer backups, flooding events, and gas system incidents, taking appropriate action to mitigate risk and property damage. Provide technical expertise for renovation, renewal, and capital construction projects by reviewing requirements, supporting system design considerations, and completing trade-related installations and modifications. Maintain specialty plumbing systems and equipment such as backflow prevention assemblies, reverse osmosis systems, deionized water systems, medical gas systems, compressed air systems, and acid waste systems, as assigned. Conduct preventive maintenance activitie