Facilities Plumber

Position Type:
Operations/Maintenance

Date Posted:
6/29/2026

Location:
Zoo Knoxville
Job Title: Facilities Plumber

Department: Facilities Date Written / Updated: 08/01/2025

Reports To: Facilities Manager Status: Full Time; Non-Exempt

Supervises: N/A

Pay Rate: $21.50-25.50 Hourly

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Under limited supervision, the Plumber will work with the Facilities Manager and Zoo staff to accomplish the general maintenance, repair, installation, and rehabilitation of facilities including, but not limited to, all equipment, buildings, enclosures, and utility systems contained on Zoo grounds or used in support of Zoo programs, on or off grounds, specifically, diagnostic and troubleshooting skills sufficient to inspect, repairs, install, modify and maintain water supply, wastewater, and storm water systems. This person will perform maintenance related tasks, troubleshooting and diagnosing problems and determining the most effective way to correct them through knowledge, checking blueprints, repair / service manuals, parts catalogs, and research. The plumber maintains the flow of water (potable, reclaimed, waste) by assembling, installing, and repairing pipes, fittings, and plumbing fixtures. The person in this position has the task of maintaining and improving the daily appearance and functionality of Zoo Knoxville grounds and facilities. This individual must keep the Facilities Manager informed of activities, accomplishments, project status and requirements.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a team member, exemplify Zoo Knoxville's Core Values through interactions with guests and fellow team members.
• Follow the procedures and guidelines relating to the well-being and care of the buildings, facilities, and equipment, including preventative maintenance programs. This includes constantly observing each of these and reporting problems or concerns to the Facilities Manager.
• Follow and perform the routinely scheduled (daily and long range) operations and activities of the Facilities Department. These include regular operations such as, but not limited to,
  
  
  • Diagnose, repair and maintenance to water supply systems, zoo-wide and located within facilities.
  • Diagnose, repair and maintenance to sanitary waste systems, zoo-wide and located within facilities.
  • Diagnose, repair and maintenance to storm water systems.
  • Diagnose and repair of other types of drainage systems.
  • Install new additions to the above systems and install the above systems into new projects as built by zoo staff.
  • Replace or repair of faucets, drinking fountains, misting systems, toilets, and more.
  • Exposes buried pipes by hand, with or without help, and repairs when necessary.
  • Preventive maintenance and safety devices functionality.
  • Repair and maintain mechanical and plumbing equipment.
  • Diagnose and repair damaged or destroyed structures.
  • Diagnose, repair, and maintain specialized equipment and machinery.
  • Understanding water quality standards.
  • Assists other trades and departments as needed.
• General proficiency in the safe operation of maintenance equipment to include, but not limited to, trucks, carts, backhoe, skid-steer loader, ladders, shovels, brooms, picks, power hand tools (drills, saws, grinders, cut off saws, band saws, etc.), hand tools (tape measures, screwdrivers, levels, squares, pliers, wrenches, etc.) and other types of maintenance / repair tools and equipment involved with facility maintenance. Specifically, to this position, must demonstrate the ability to work with, operate, and be proficient in the following:
  
  • Reading blueprints and can understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
  • Read and interpret plumbing diagrams.
  • Understand routing and venting.
  • Understand diverse types of piping and their uses.
  • The use of plumbing equipment such as torches, saws, augers, flush units, etc...
• Maintaining the quality, appearance, cleanliness, safety, functionality and usability of the park, its grounds, buildings and facilities, and all utility systems contained within and leading to the park on a continual basis and in the most timely, efficient, economical, and organized manner. This includes all public, animal, and support areas, and all interior and exterior components. Maintaining the quality of allZoo property and resources,natural or man-made, which is undeveloped, used for purposes other than public or exhibit areas, or held in reserve for future use.
• Assistance with installation, set-up, and removal of special / temporary exhibits, special events, or other event related operations.
• Requesting and purchasing (with authorization) supplies for the repair and completion of assigned tasks.
• Follow the procedures and guidelines regarding the safety of personnel, instructing a crew as assigned on these standards, and enforcing the safety standards.
• Complete daily reports on activities, material / equipment use, and time management.
• Work with other Zoo departments to develop and implement a positive and educational visitor and staff experience. Provide professional quality customer service to both internal and external customers, as well as outside vendors and contractors. This includes, but not limited to, language, and work ethics.
• Demonstrate continued interest in and knowledge of advancements in the facility and equipment maintenance fields.
• Adherence to any policies set forth by Zoo Knoxville or the Maintenance Department to comply with all governmental or other regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to national, state, and local electrical and building and plumbing codes, as well as ADA standards, AZA standards, USDA (Animal and Plant Regulations), TWRA, OSHA, MOSH, EPA, DOT, etc.
• This position will require hands-on involvement. The individual assuming these responsibilities will be aware of the potential health and injury risks inherent with the operations of tools, machinery, vehicles, chemical use, heavy lifting (up to 100 pounds) and working in potentially dangerous animal and public environments.
• Perform duties in accordance with Zoo Knoxville policies and core values.
• Will be cross trained to help with the LSS systems of the zoo.
• Ability to work irregular hours (holidays and weekends)
• This individual will present a professional and neat appearance at all times. The attire will be the standard Zoo Knoxville uniform. A nametag will be worn at all times when representing this position.
• The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position.
• Other duties and tasks are as requested or required by the Facilities Manager, Assistant Director of Operations, the Director of Operations, and the Chief Operating Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The individual should be extremely organized, efficient, accurate, self-motivated, neat, and possess proficient computer knowledge and use of various types of programs.
• Organized, Analytical, problem-solving with creative, imaginative, and lateral thinking.
• A competent, process thinker
• Efficient, self-motivated with strong initiative
• Commitment to excellence and high standards
• Keen eye for details and paying attention to the quality of work.
• Good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
• The ability to strategically weigh the risks and benefits of actions, prior to taking action.
• Ability to react quickly, effectively, and logically in high-stress and/or emergency situations.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to manage priorities and workflow.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work with constantly changing priorities.
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to continuously seek ways to improve efficiency and service.
• Appropriate safety precautions, procedures while following zoo safety policies and practices.
• Ability to operate hand and power tools including various forms of light to heavy equipment.
• Ability to work in a team or individually as and when required.
• Customer service
• Time-management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient computer knowledge and use of various types of programs
• Communication (verbal, written, computer) and interpersonal.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

The individual in this position should have a minimum of 2 years of experience in the construction industry/ facility maintenance plumbing position and have a technical and/or trade school degree in facility maintenance or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience at an established AZA-accredited zoological environment is preferred. OSHA 10 certification for General Industry, AALSO Level 1 and AFO certification are preferable but not required.

• High school diploma
• Valid driver's license
• Technical and/or trade school degree in construction management/facility maintenance or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 2 plus years of on-the-job experience
• Prior experience at an established AZA-accredited zoological environment is preferred but not required.
• OSHA 10 certification of General Industry

Don't meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email, and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekends and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and as such each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen.