Heating and Plumbing Supervisor

Heating And Plumbing Shop Supervisor

At the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), we're proud to be the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management across the country. Since 1940, we've been working to revitalize and improve neighborhoods in Norfolk.

We also acknowledge that public housing has a complicated history, tied to issues of social injustice and racial inequality. While we haven't always gotten it right, we're committed to making positive change by offering quality housing options that support diverse, mixed-income communities. Our vision is to provide quality housing choices in neighborhoods where people want to live. Our mission is to provide quality housing opportunities that create sustainable, mixed-income communities.

Position Summary

Oversees and coordinates assigned heating and plumbing shop operations. Supervises subordinate technical staff to ensure effective operations. Operates, maintains, repairs, replaces, and inspects industrial, commercial, and residential boiler plant heating systems at assigned communities and buildings. Monitors boiler plant activity and records data. Supervises the full array of plumbing tasks. Responds to emergency and routine boiler systems problem calls. Oversees the installation, repairs, and replacement of water piping. Supervises lesser-skilled staff in performing complex boiler system installations. Applies for and secures mechanical and plumbing permits from City of Norfolk. Prepares and submits annual budget for heating and plumbing shop.

Essential Functions

• Oversees and coordinates assigned heating and plumbing shop operations: serves as senior team member in planning, organizing, coordinating, controlling, and improving shop operations; participates in planning and implementing team decisions; participates in creating, implementing,
• Supervises subordinate technical staff to ensure effective operations: performs the full range of supervisory activities, including but not limited to assigning and coordinating work; acting on employee problems; and hiring, promoting, developing, disciplining, and rewarding employees.
• Operates, maintains, repairs, replaces, and inspects industrial, commercial, and residential boiler plant heating systems at assigned communities and buildings: operates boiler heating system to provide hot and cold running water to residential units and buildings; maintains, repairs, replaces, and inspects boiler system parts, including but not limited to heat exchanger, fuel systems, oil systems, piping systems, pumps, burners, electrical controls, mechanical controls, pneumatic controls, safety systems, boiler tube systems, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, blowers, motors, solenoids, couplings, seals, bearing assemblies, radiators, and air compressors; and performs interior repairs on boiler system.
• Monitors boiler plant activity and records data: checks and records boiler pressures, temperatures, and water levels; responds to system alarms, takes appropriate corrective action, and records alarms; performs routine inspections and spot-checks of boilers, pumps, circuit breakers, and other related equipment; identifies and analyzes equipment problems; takes appropriate corrective action on equipment problems; and records maintenance activity.
• Supervises the full array of plumbing tasks: roughs in drain and water pipe lines using PVC piping of varying sizes; unclogs, repairs, and replaces drain, vent, and waste pipelines; and repairs and replaces water faucets, sinks, bathtubs, lavatories, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures.
• Responds to emergency and routine boiler systems problem calls: receives call; travels to location; investigates problem; requests information from public housing residents; evaluates problem; and implements corrective procedures to restore normal operation of the system.
• Oversees the installation, repairs, and replacement of water piping; breaks concrete, asphalt, and or ground to reach water pipes; trenches around underground piping with aid of blueprints and metal detector; identifies pipes leaks and breaks; pumps water out of trench; measures, cuts, and threads piping; brazes and welds piping; insulates piping; and restores areas to original condition.
• Supervises lesser-skilled staff in performing complex boiler system installations, maintenance, repairs, and replacements: assigns tasks, inspects in-progress and finished work, and reports problems to supervisor.
• Works on assigned special projects to include planning, organizing, coordinating, implementing and controlling projects, or assisting others in same: performs work related to continuous water conservation project; performs general heating and plumbing work at scattered-site locations; and performs other assignments.
• Applies for and secures mechanical and plumbing permits from City of Norfolk.
• Prepares and submits annual budget for heating and plumbing shop.
• Prepares, forwards, and files a variety of memoranda, reports, and forms related to heating and plumbing work: prepares time sheets and work order forms; maintains inventory records; and maintains boiler system files.
• Performs other related work as required.

Performance Standards

• Operational Efficiency : Maintains timely completion of work orders and preventive maintenance; minimizes downtime and service disruptions.
• Team Leadership : Ensures staff meet performance expectations; fosters skill development, accountability, and positive morale.
• Safety Compliance : Adheres to OSHA, NRHA, and industry safety standards; prevents workplace accidents and enforces PPE use.
• Quality of Work : Ensures all boiler and plumbing repairs, installations, and maintenance meet professional standards and pass inspections.
• Problem Resolution : Responds promptly to emergencies; accurately diagnoses issues and restores systems effectively.
• Budget Accountability : Stays within approved budget limits; makes cost-effective purchasing and resource decisions.
• Documentation Accuracy : Maintains complete, up-to-date, and accurate logs, reports, and permits.
• Regulatory Compliance : Ensures all permits, inspections, and legal requirements are met without violations.
• Customer & Stakeholder Satisfaction : Communicates clearly and professionally with residents and internal teams; resolves concerns effectively.
• Continuous Improvement : Identifies operational inefficiencies or risks; proposes and implements solutions to improve shop performance and conservation initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). High School vocational program or vocational/technical school training in boiler plant heating system maintenance, general heating, and plumbing. Seven to ten years of boiler plant and related system operation and maintenance experience.

Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience necessary to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certification as a master plumber, master mechanic, or master gas fitter is required.

Personal heating and plumbing tools are required.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid VA or NC driver's license.
• Personal heating and plumbing tools are required.
• Subject to a background check, pre-employment health check, and reference verification prior to hire.
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to NRHA's code of conduct and ethics policies.
• Considered essential personnel as referenced in HR 425 Adverse Conditions policy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive and current knowledge of heat system installation, repair and replacement principles, methods, and techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of heat circulation methods; combustion, heat transfer, pneumatics, and electrical operations.
• Operational knowledge of fire alarm system maintenance, repair, and replacement.
• Considerable knowledge of standard and power tools associated with HVAC, including their use and care.
• Considerable knowledge of safety standards and procedures associated with repair and maintenance.
• Ability to read, interpret and work from sketches, blueprints and schematics.
• Requires ability to maintain records, logs, and proper reports.
• Requires ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to use technical manuals, manufacturer's manuals, and special instructions to determine the proper procedure for maintenance, repair, or replacement of parts in boiler heating systems.
• Skill in the use of precision measuring devices such as micrometers, calipers, and dial indicators; pipe fitting techniques and rigging setups for large components.
• Basic oral communication skills to receive instructions and convey information.
• Human relations skills to interact with supervisor, maintenance staff, and housing residents; includes skill in working effectively in a team environment, and skill in leading and training lesser-skilled maintenance staff.
• Analytical ability to diagnose common repair problems and determine a solution based on standard practices and precedents.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to estimate time to complete an assignment, select an appropriate work method, determine if additional assistance is needed, and complete an assignment without immediate supervision.
• Ability to exercise independent initiative to