Embarking on a career as a pipefitter in Urbana, IL, typically begins with an apprenticeship that blends hands-on experience with classroom instruction, enabling individuals to earn while they learn. Apprenticeships typically last four to five years, requiring extensive training under seasoned professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 89,141 pipefitters nationwide, with a projected 6% job growth from 2022 to 2032. In Urbana, IL, apprentices earn an average of $49,994 per year, with experienced professionals often surpassing $108,000 annually. Trade schools, unions, and various platforms assist aspiring pipefitters in finding apprenticeships, leading to a lucrative career with strong earning potential.
About the position The Pipefitter (Refrigeration Mechanic) position at the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign is a full-time role within the Facilities & Services department. The primary responsibility of this position is to install, repair, maintain, and modify heating and cooling systems across the campus. This role requires interaction with various campus customers, supervision, and peers, fostering a work environment that emphasizes accountability, performance, teamwork, and unity within the shop and throughout the campus community. In this role, the Pipefitter will troubleshoot and perform necessary repairs on heating and cooling systems, including boilers and pumps. The position involves making equipment and piping systems function properly, installing new heating and cooling systems, coil units, and other related equipment. Additionally, the Pipefitter will maintain steam piping, coiling, and pumps located in tunnels, as well as condensate pumps, hot water pumps, and vacuum pumps throughout the campus. The maintenance of boilers, stills, autoclaves, traps, steam coils, steam pipes, hot water radiators, and pressure reducing valve (PRV) stations is also a critical part of the job. The Pipefitter will be responsible for installing new laboratory systems for air vacuum and gases, assisting and training apprentices, and driving service vehicles used for maintenance work, new installations, and repairs. This position is essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the campus's heating and cooling infrastructure, contributing to a comfortable and safe environment for all campus users. Responsibilities • Troubleshoots and performs needed repairs on heating/cooling systems, boilers, pumps, etc. , • Makes equipment and piping systems work properly. , • Installs new heating/cooling systems, coil units, and equipment. , • Maintains steam piping, coiling, and pumps in tunnels. , • Maintains condensate pumps, hot water pumps, and vacuum pumps on campus. , • Maintains boilers, stills, autoclaves, traps, steam coils, steam pipes, hot water radiators, and PRV stations on campus. , • Installs new laboratory systems of air vacuum and gases. , • Assists and trains apprentices. , • Drives and operates service vehicles used for pipefitter maintenance work, new installation, and/or repair work. Requirements • Certificate of completion of Pipetrade apprenticeship under a registered Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training program. , • Experience sufficient to qualify as a journeyman Pipefitter or other Pipetrade classification with a minimum of five (5) years (60 months) of actual work in the trade, which may have included apprenticeship and/or applicable vocational training. , • Possession of a valid State of Illinois driver's license at time of hire. Nice-to-haves • CFC License Benefits • Salary based on the prevailing wage which is $52.65/hour as of the date of this posting.
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