Salary : $92,726.40 - $124,280.00 Annually
Location : Port of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: FY 25/26 #00138 2
Branch: Maritime & Operations Branch
Department: Field Operations
Opening Date: 10/15/2026
Closing Date: 10/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
The Lead Plumber is responsible for providing leadership, technical expertise, and daily direction to the Plumbing Shop. This position plans, coordinates, and oversees plumbing maintenance, repairs, installations, and improvement projects throughout the District. The Lead Plumber ensures work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable codes and District standards. In addition to performing advanced plumbing work, the Lead Plumber assigns and prioritizes work, provides technical guidance and training to staff, coordinates with other trades and departments, and ensures a high level of customer service and workmanship.
DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, schedules, and supervises the work of personnel engaged in the construction, installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing hardware and systems; provides for the training of staff in work methods, use of tools, and equipment; monitors and inspects work performed by Port personnel and contractors; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and
functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level classification in the Plumber series, responsible for performing the most
complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex,
requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on
experience and judgment in plumbing, industrial, commercial, and underground utilities systems
installation, maintenance, and repair projects. Assignments are given with general guidelines and
incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to schedule and complete
preventive and emergency plumbing repairs and projects. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for
soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and code requirements. This class is distinguished
from the Maintenance Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory classification with responsibilities
for the supervision and evaluation of assigned staff.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different
positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential
functions of the job. Represented positions are subject to the meet and confer process.
Plans, coordinates, schedules, inspects, and supervises the work of personnel engaged in the
construction, installation, maintenance, fabrication, and repair of plumbing systems in various facilities
including industrial and commercial buildings, underground utilities, offices, docks, piers, floats, and
marina gangways, as well as clean water infrastructure, plumbing fixtures, wastewater sewer systems,
sewer main lines, and related equipment in a marine port environment.
Provides direction and participates in the work of skilled and personnel assigned to section activities;
operates forklifts, air compressors, cranes, portable and stationary generators, pneumatic and electric
drain equipment and hand tools, saws, and various passenger vehicles in the course of duties.
Participates in the preparation of budget recommendations; authorizes the purchase of materials and
monitors work activities and expenditures to control costs; prepares specifications for the purchase of
plumbing-related equipment, materials, and supplies.
Provides for the training of staff in work methods, use of tools, and equipment; provides specialized
plumbing training for staff and other sections and departments if needed, and researches new methods
and techniques to apply.
Responds to emergency situations and leads repairs and skilled workers.
Reviews work orders to determine material, equipment, project scope and budget, and personnel
requirements; requisitions required materials, supplies, and equipment; prepares cost estimates for work
orders from other departments.
Assists and supports the section's supervisor in developing and implementing the section's operational
scheduling, as well as preventive and predictive maintenance work standards; conducts research and
analysis in support of the establishment of work standards and procedures for the section; analyzes
scheduling and labor requirements and other job-specific requirements.
Responds to inquiries and complaints and attends various meetings with internal and external
stakeholders.
Monitors and inspects work performed by Port personnel and contractors; ensures compliance with
safety standards, and plumbing code regulations.
Schedules and conducts safety inspections of equipment throughout Port locations, identifying
components in need of repair or replacement.
Participates in carrying out the Port's safety program in the section; ensures assigned personnel follow
safety practices in work methods and procedures; ensures proper safety procedures while working in
shop and field situations; educates assigned personnel on rules, regulations, codes, safe work habits and
potential hazards presented by their work environment.
Prepares, maintains, and approves a variety of records and reports, including timecards, worksheets,
accident reports, regulatory records and maintenance requests.
Performs disaster service worker responsibilities, as directed.
Ensures staff observe and comply with all Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles of providing functional direction and training.
Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure
teamwork is conducted smoothly.
Methods, practices, tools, and equipment common to the construction, maintenance, and repair of
plumbing systems, fixtures, and related systems for a large commercial facility.
Plumbing practices and techniques, and applicable building and plumbing codes/ordinances.
Health and safety regulations involved in potable water and wastewater.
Operations and services of a comprehensive maintenance program in assigned area.
Maintenance principles, practices, equipment, and materials in assigned work areas.
Principles and practices of preventive maintenance in assigned area and proper record keeping.
Safety practices, safe work methods, and safety regulations pertaining to the work.
Shop mathematics or arithmetic.
Practices, tools, and equipment common to the building and construction trades, as well as a variety of
hand and power tools used for plumbing.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best
practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public,
vendors, contractors, and Port staff. The structure and content of the English language, including the
meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task
coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to:
Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
Plan, organize, coordinate, assign, and review the work of assigned staff.
Coordinate work assignments with other sections, divisions, departments, or agencies.
Design, layout, and prepare sketches for construction-related projects.
Perform skilled plumbing work in the maintenance and repair of water and sewer systems.
Learn and apply laws, rules, and regulations involved in assigned activities.
Test, diagnose, and repair a wide variety of plumbing deficiencies and hardware fixtures.
Operate and maintain a variety of power and hand tools used in skilled plumbing work.
Troubleshoot plumbing problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
Accurately estimate time, material, and personnel requirements for work orders and projects.
Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, plans and specifications.
Identify and implement effective courses of action to complete assigned work.
Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
Use appropriate safety equipment in assigned maintenance area.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern
business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and
syntax.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural
guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the
course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by specialized training in journey level plumbing repair and installation.
Experience:
Four (4) years of journey level experience in plumbing and work requiring use of hand and power tools,
equipment, and machinery associated with plumbing and trades experience.
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of, or successful acquisition within twelve (12) months of employment, a valid first aid and
CPR certification, to be maintained throughout employment.
Possession of a valid Backflow Testers License issued by the American Water Works Association
(AWWA) or the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA), to be maintained throughout
employment.
Recruitment Information
The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.
Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.
Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.
THE ASSESSMENT (100%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 16, 2026
To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.
Placement on Eligible List:
The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess sufficient mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and flexibility to perform medium
to heavy physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach,
twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp and make repetitive hand movement in the performance
of daily duties; possible entry into confined spaces and the use of confined entry equipment, to climb and
descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools and other equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle
and visit various work sites; and vision to inspect and operate the equipment. The job involves fieldwork
requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards which may include working
around live electrical wires. Finger dexterity is needed to operate and repair tools a
