Special Projects Plumbing Technician | Houston, Texas 77074

 The Ashford team is expanding, and we are looking for our next valuable Ashfordian! What's AWESOME about Ashford Communities... Our CULTURE focuses heavily on Teamwork, Trust, Fun, and Customer Care! Employees are rewarded and recognized for their efforts and performance! We offer real, deserved advancement opportunities! 

This role is a field technician position, not a master plumber role. The technician handles escalated plumbing work: boiler and tankless water heater service, underground sewer line repairs, leak detection, and supply line repairs. The technician supports four project categories: Habitability, Lender Repairs, CapEx Projects, and Maintenance Emergencies escalated from onsite teams.

Key Responsibilities

Boilers and water heating

• Perform preventive maintenance on commercial and residential boilers: inspect burners, flame sensors, igniters, pressure relief valves, expansion tanks, and circulator pumps.

• Troubleshoot no-heat and no-hot-water calls, read error codes, and replace failed components.

• Service tankless water heaters: descale/flush heat exchangers, clean inlet filters, check venting and condensate drains, and replace sensors and igniters.

• Repair and replace tank-type water heaters, including gas and water connections and T&P valve discharge piping.

Sewer and drain

• Locate, excavate, and repair underground sewer and drain lines (cast iron, PVC, ABS, clay).

• Run sewer camera inspections and line locators to find breaks, bellies, root intrusion, and offset joints.

• Clear main line and branch stoppages with cable machines and jetters.

• Repair or replace cleanouts, P-traps, and drain/waste/vent (DWV) piping.

Water supply and leaks

• Detect and repair water leaks in walls, ceilings, slabs, and underground supply lines using moisture meters, pressure testing, and acoustic or thermal leak detection.

• Repair and repipe supply lines in copper, PEX, CPVC, and galvanized.

• Replace shut-off valves, pressure reducing valves (PRVs), backflow-related fittings, and fixture supply lines.

• Shut down and restore building water service safely during repairs.

Project and team support

• Complete work orders with clear notes, photos (before/after), materials used, and labor hours.

• Identify root causes and recommend repair vs. replacement to the Project Manager.

• Provide material lists and rough scope for CapEx and Lender Repair items.

• Coordinate with onsite maintenance, property managers, and outside contractors.

• Respond to escalated maintenance emergencies, including after-hours on-call rotation.

• Follow safety procedures: trench safety, confined space awareness, gas safety, lockout/tagout, and PPE use.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required• 3+ years of hands-on plumbing experience, preferably in multifamily, apartment, or commercial property maintenance.

• Working knowledge of boiler operation and preventive maintenance.• Experience servicing tankless and tank-type water heaters (gas and electric).

• Experience repairing underground sewer and drain lines, including excavation and backfill.• Proven ability to locate and repair water leaks in occupied buildings.

• Active Texas plumbing credential issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) at the level Ashford confirms for this role (see Items to Confirm below). Master Plumber license is not required.

• Valid Texas driver's license and acceptable driving record.

• Ability to read work orders, write clear job notes, and use a smartphone or tablet for photos and work order updates.

• Ability to pass a background check and drug screening.Preferred

• TSBPE Journeyman Plumber license.

• Experience with commercial boilers serving multifamily buildings.• Manufacturer training on tankless units (for example, Navien, Rinnai, or Noritz).

• Experience with sewer cameras, line locators, and hydro-jetters.• Bilingual (English/Spanish).Skills

• Diagnoses root cause, not just symptoms.

• Works independently across multiple properties with minimal supervision.• Communicates clearly with residents, onsite staff, and the Project Manager.

• Keeps the work area clean and safe in occupied units.

Physical Requirements and Schedule

• Lift and carry up to 50 lbs; move water heaters and equipment with a team or dolly.

• Work in crawl spaces, attics, mechanical rooms, trenches, and outdoors in Houston heat and rain.

• Kneel, bend, climb ladders, and stand for long periods.

• Full-time schedule with travel between properties; on-call rotation for escalated emergencies, including some nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Hand tools required; Ashford provides specialty equipment (sewer camera, jetter, locator) and a company vehicle or mileage reimbursement, per company policy.