The posting
Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:
- Advance Airport Development
- Transform the Customer Experience
- Optimize Ongoing Business
- Cultivate Our Culture
Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.
At SAN, we take pride in fostering employee growth and development. This position is exclusively available to current SDCRAA employees, reflecting our commitment to internal advancement, all other applications will not be considered.
Why You'll Love Working at SAN:
- Location: Facilities Management Department (FMD) Administration Building, located on San Diego International Airport campus’s north end and sits adjacent to the rental car facility, providing one-of-a-kind views of our runway, along with several outdoor terraces and courtyards for employees to engage with nature.
- Salary: The starting salary for the Lead Plumber will be established by the Facilities Management MOA standard policy. The full pay range for the Lead Plumber is $41.05 an hour to $55.57 an hour.
- Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and childcare benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
- Wellness: Enjoy a workplace that makes well‑being part of the daily routine! Tap into multiple on‑site gyms, unwind or brainstorm in outdoor workspaces, connect with financial wellness advisors, and explore scenic walking trails just steps from campus, all wrapped in a supportive wellness package designed to help you feel your best inside and outside of work.
- Application Deadline: October 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.
About the Job:
The Facilities Management Department is seeking the next Lead Plumber. This role offers an opportunity to expand the impact you already make at SAN by leading complex projects, mentoring skilled trades professionals, and helping ensure the safe, reliable operation of SAN’s facilities. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your technical expertise in a leadership capacity while contributing to meaningful, high-visibility projects that support the airport and the community we serve.
This is a promotional opportunity open to active San Diego County Regional Airport Authority employees only.
What You’ll Do:
- Operational Management: Leads and participates in the development and implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance standards and schedules. Reviews and assigns work orders, determines material, equipment and personnel requirements. Reviews and develops work specifications, requisitions for materials, services and equipment, plans, inspects work activities, and ensures consistency with required specifications. Responds to emergency situations, inquiries, and complaints.
- Installation & Maintenance: Performs skilled journey-level plumbing, plans, coordinates, inspects, and leads activities, coordinates plumbers, contractors and others engaged in the design, fabrication, construction, installation, maintenance, repair of plumbing systems, related fixtures and equipment. Ensures projects and work activities are compliant with plans, safety standards, and regulations.
- Lead & Coach: Leads team members, establishes and evaluates performance. Develops work schedules and performance targets. Coaches and provides feedback. Implements and promotes safety initiatives. Provides training and technical assistance to assigned employees and others.
- Program Support: Facilitates and participates in meetings. Develops operating budget, procedures, projects, and service costs. Generates and maintains records, reports, timecards, and work requests. Prepares and approves purchases and monitors expenditures. Research new operational methods, techniques, and equipment and recommend their application. Use change management strategies to guide the organization through transitions in structure, processes, or systems with minimal disruption. Share standards, best practices, and innovative approaches.
- Operational Driving*: Operates vehicles to travel to work sites and performs related duties as assigned.
The Skills We Are Looking For:
- Leadership: Provides effective day-to-day guidance to assigned staff, including work planning and assignment, employee selection, training and development, performance evaluation, coaching, and corrective action. Leads, motivates, and supports employees to promote accountability, productivity, quality workmanship, and effective team performance.
- Work Planning and Coordination: Plans, organizes, prioritizes, and coordinates plumbing maintenance, repair, and installation activities. Estimates labor, materials, equipment, time, and other resources required to complete assigned work efficiently. Assigns and reviews work, monitors progress, and adjusts priorities and resources as operational needs change.
- Technical Plumbing Knowledge: Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of plumbing systems, fixtures, and related equipment. Reads and interprets plans, drawings, specifications, technical manuals, and other documents necessary to coordinate and oversee plumbing work.
- Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Applies and reinforces applicable safety practices, regulations, and safe work methods. Ensuring work is performed in accordance with applicable codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and established procedures. Identifies workplace hazards and takes appropriate action to maintain a safe working environment.
- Problem Solving and Decision Making: Identifies operational and technical issues, evaluates available information and determines effective courses of action to complete assigned work. Exercises sound like independent judgment and initiative within established policies, procedures and guidelines while appropriately escalating significant or unusual issues.
- Communication and Collaboration: Communicates effectively with employees, supervisors, contractors, other departments, agencies and stakeholders encountered in the course of work. Coordinates work assignments and activities across organizational units to minimize disruptions and support efficient completion of maintenance and repair activities.
- Documentation and Administrative Management: Uses computers and applicable software systems to support work planning, communication, and documentation. Prepares, maintains, and reviews accurate records, reports, work documentation, and other information related to maintenance activities, staffing, materials, and completed work.
- Leveraging Technology - Effectively uses and generates information electronically and integrates technology solutions and systems.
Requirements
Required Education, Training and Experience:
- Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent;
- Four years of journey-level construction and/or industrial plumbing experience;
- Or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority’s vehicle insurance policy.
- A current Backflow Testers License issued an accredited association approved by the County of San Diego or State of California within year of date of employment.
*Driving is an Essential Function
This role requires regular driving as a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver’s license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge that driving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role.
**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Physical & Mental Demands
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.
