FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER FITTER LEAD [M - F; 6:15AM – 2:45PM]

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

UW Facilities manages the University’s buildings, infrastructure and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. The Asset Management group includes Capital & Space Management, Real Estate, Sustainability and other teams responsible for planning and workload management. The Operations group includes Project Delivery, Maintenance & Construction, Transportation Services and Safety. Lastly, there is the Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations group. Supporting these groups, as well as the separate Emergency Management team, are the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group and the Finance & Administration group.

Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations  has an outstanding opportunity for a Fire Protection Sprinkler Fitter Lead (Plumber/Pipe/Steamfitter Lead) to provide leadership, plan, schedule, and direct the work of journey-level plumbers/pipe fitters/steam fitters/sprinkler fitters; performing skilled work in the operation, inspection, testing, servicing and maintenance of complex fire protection and life safety systems on the University of Washington Seattle Campus.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform all duties and necessary job tasks of a plumber/pipe fitter/steam fitter/sprinkler fitter
• Assign and lead personnel in the performance of work in a safe manner, inspect work for quality and completeness; ensure clients are advised when work is complete
• Update work orders and communicate progress to managers, supervisors, and other stakeholders
• Work collaboratively with other skilled trades’ leads, supervisors, managers and department heads, students and outside vendors in a courteous and professional manner with attention to customer service
• Develop schedule and procedures for testing and certification of wet and dry fire sprinkler systems in accordance with applicable code and UW standards
• Assign methods and procedures for use by assigned personnel
• Perform and assist in five year and annual confidence testing and certification of wet and dry fire sprinkler systems, winterization of systems, with UW personnel or contractors as required
• Maintain, repair, and inspect fire sprinkler systems, piping, tanks, pressure vessels, and compressed air systems
• Troubleshoot complex operational problems related to fire sprinkler systems; develop and implement solutions to these problems
• Research and coordinate technical issues related to requests for shutdowns of fire sprinkler systems and other systems to avoid or minimize disruptions of service to the campus
• Read and interpret plans, blueprints, sketches and specifications; construct, lay out or plan piping assemblies with respect to walls, structures, and other obstructions, allowing for expansion, and contraction, and alignment in accordance with pipefitting practice
• Coordinate with EH&S Fire Protection Engineers, department heads, campus engineering, construction coordinators, contractors, facilities trades, building occupants and other clients to schedule and plan required work
• Develop preliminary cost estimates for installations and repairs of fire sprinkler systems
• Perform alteration, repair, and maintenance of buildings, facilities, and equipment related to fire sprinkler systems
• Assist construction contractors with connection of new buildings and renovated buildings to the campus piping distribution systems
• Respond to emergencies such as fire sprinkler systems in trouble condition in order to minimize or prevent loss of property, damage to research activities, and disruption to life-safety systems
• Assist Seattle Fire Department and UW Police Department personnel as required and during off-hour emergencies, e.g. fires, security threats and disruption of any utility systems
• Develop work plans, methods, procedures and standard operating practices to be followed by assigned personnel
• Perform the work in accordance with applicable safety rules, environmental regulatory requirements, and SDS documents and maintain records as required according to environmental requirements
• Use safe work practices working around and be knowledgeable of asbestos and lead containing materials
• Inspect projects to ensure compliance with local standards and codes and maintain records of work performed and inspect contractors’ work to see that the work is performed to campus specifications
• Attend contractor meetings for the purpose of coordination of contract work which affects fire sprinkler systems
• Coordinate fire sprinkler system shutdowns and inconveniences with clients, construction coordinators, contractors, and code authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) communicating by telephone, e-mail, and on-site conferences
• May lead the work of other trades and perform the duties of non-plumber/pipe fitter/steam fitter/sprinkler fitter workers in support of operations of the building fire sprinkler systems
• Provide leadership related to work on asbestos and lead-containing equipment in accordance with applicable safety rules and procedures
• Maintain a preventive maintenance program on equipment, components and system
• Assist with planning, record keeping, and making work assignments for the preventive maintenance program of the building fire sprinkler systems
• This includes service and test histories for fire sprinkler systems
• Maintain and update system schematics through red line system changes and create if necessary, fire sprinkler system schematics
• Review and assign work requests, and initiate, retrieve, and close work orders in UW’s AiM Workdesk system
• Field phone calls and e-mails to answer requests, questions, etc., of clients, and others
• Monitor equipment and supply needs, coordinate with supervisor, and requisition parts and materials to ensure that employees have what they require to perform job duties and for service and repair of equipment
• Recommend purchase of equipment and supplies for the shop operation, maintenance repairs, and for clients’ alteration projects
• Work with UW Facilities Stores to determine parts inventory
• Develop and participate in equipment identification programs
• Participate in and follow through with Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations (CEUO) process improvement initiatives (Balanced Score Card, Lean, Idea Systems)
• Know and ensure that assigned personnel comply with occupational health and safety regulations that apply to work actions and conduct on the job, including the use of personal protective equipment whenever required; report safety infractions to the supervisor
• Conduct routine safety inspections and audits of crew
• Safely and properly use and operate a variety of power tools, drill presses, grinders, band saws, hand drills, pneumatic tools, small hand tools, and specialized apparatus, and test equipment
• Maintain service manuals, records, vehicle and tools as required
• Coordinate with Campus Engineering, Capital Projects Office, contractors, Facilities trades, building occupants, and other clients to schedule and plan required work
• Be familiar with the procedures and equipment used in fire sprinkler system maintenance and testing
• Operate machinery such as forklifts, scissor-lifts, and high rangers
• Load and unload materials and supplies
• Operate vehicles such as UW vans and trucks to transport tools, equipment and personnel to various job sites
• Follow and enforce adherence to all University and UW Facilities policies and procedures
• Work with managers and other leaders to ensure assigned personnel complete required training in a timely manner
• Schedule assigned personnel in upcoming trainings to ensure compliance
• Attend all required meetings and training
• Assist in providing training to assigned personnel
• Perform other duties as assigned

Core Competencies

• Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness
• Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively
• Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems
• Be responsible and accountable
• Use organizational skills and provide attention to details
• Maintain a positive, optimistic, and success-oriented attitude
• Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous
• Exhibit a professional work ethic
• Continuously promote a safe work environment

Requirements include:

• One-year, full-time experience as a journey plumber/pipefitter/steamfitter or equivalent trade skill.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license may be required.

Additional Requirements include:

• Certificates, Licenses, Registration: Washington State Certificate of Competency, City of Seattle Fire Department AS-3 Fire Sprinkler license or obtain certification within 90 days of employment; successfully retesting every three years
• NICET Level 2 – Fire Protection – Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems or higher level of certification or obtain certification within 90 days of employment
• Completed testing documentation for fire sprinkler systems using code-required forms and submissions systems including Seattle Fire Department’s Compliance Engine
• Must be a strong team player not only able to work alone but able to work closely with other trades on a highly complex University campus
• Must possess excellent customer service, written and oral communication skills
• Must be able to communicate appropriately with clients, staff and students to present a professional image
• Experience in applicable basic desktop computer skills, maintenance work request and work order programs and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook as well as Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam
• Have knowledge and understanding of safe work practices and policies
• Must be able to wear all proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required
• Must be able to follow written and/or verbal instructions and communicate regarding the use of chemicals, supplies, and equipment; comply with safety policies and procedures

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

• Five or more years of experience, as a plumber/pipe fitter/steam fitter/sprinkler fitter working with complex and critical piping distribution systems, with a wide variety of systems and in the repair, service, maintenance, and operations of equipment, components, systems etc.
• One or more years of experience as a plumber/pipe fitter/steam fitter/sprinkler fitter foreman or lead overseeing crew(s) on multiple or large projects for a contractor or as an employee of a public agency
• NICET Level 3 – Fire Protection – Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems Certification
• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Journey-level Plumber Certification
• Pipe Welding Certification and/or demonstrated experience welding pipes
• Have experience working independently as a Fire Systems technician for a licensed fire sprinkler contractor or as an employee of a public agency
• Experience in steam distribution/heat exchangers and closed loop piping systems in an institutional, industrial or commercial environment
• Experience working with Washington State safety rules and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to work with clients for scheduling building fire system shutdowns and inconveniences
• Ability to work independently to improvise necessary system component repairs
• Experience with Lean implementation

Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess, or obtain within 60 days of employment, and maintain a valid Washington State Certification of Competency, NICET Level 2 – Fire Protection – Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems or higher, and Seattle Fire Dept AS-3 Certification and successfully retest as long as employed as a Lead in UW Facilities Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations
• Must be able to work in a diverse workforce
• Must be able to work outdoors under all weather conditions
• Have possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license recognized by the State of Washington and have a good driving record
• Must be able to communicate effectively with staff on portable hand-held radios with the Seattle Fire Department, University Police Department, and other UW Facilities staff
• Must be able to follow all Washington State safety rules and regulations
• Must be able to lift or carry heavy objects, work in confined spaces, restricted movement areas, mechanical/electrical spaces, etc. for extended periods of time and be able to climb ladders and work at heights
• Must be a strong team leader and be able to work both independently and as a team member
• Must always maintain a professional appearance
• Possess excellent skills in building a working crew harmony
• The position requires working with and around asbestos containing equipment and following proper procedures
• This position requires the wearing of a daily uniform and personal protective equipment appropriate to the job task and area.
• And with the proper personal protective equipment, work in animal research areas
• Must be willing to work in BL2 and BL3 labs (shower in – shower out facilities)
• Additionally, approved safety shoes must be provided at the employee’s expense and worn on the job
• This position is subject to callback outside normal working hours (nights, weekends, holidays) and mandatory scheduled and unscheduled overtime to respond to emergencies on an as-needed, scheduled on-call, or standby basis
• Must be able to respond to system emergencies during regular business hours and outside of regular business hours
• Must be able to be fitted for and wear a respirator on the job
• Must participate in medical screening/monitoring (such as TB screening and proof of measles inoculation) required for work assignments in locations, including but not limited to, nonhuman primate areas, the Animal Research and Care Facility, and the University of Washington Medical Center
• Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment
• Regular and predictable attendance is required

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.