C

City of Somerville

City government delivering municipal services

Working Foreman Plumber

Full-TimePosted on 10/22/2026
No salary listed
Junior
Somerville, MA, USA
In Person
Building TradesPlumbing & Pipefitting

About the job

Requirements
  • Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
  • Ability to submit written and verbal reports.
  • Ability to organize work teams, delegate responsibilities and assignments to employees, and resolve worksite conflicts or miscommunication quickly and amicably.
  • Ability to use plumbing trade tools in a workmanlike manner.
  • Knowledge of the plumbing trade, tools, practices, and equipment.
  • Current valid Massachusetts Master Plumbers License.
  • Two years of paid experience as a plumber.
  • Current valid Massachusetts Class D Driver’s License and a safe driving record; subject to yearly motor vehicle record and driver’s license checks.
  • Computer literacy, including the ability to use a computer, tablet, and related technology, or willingness to train on technology used in the job.
  • Good health and ability to perform hard physical work in extreme weather conditions.
  • Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion when inspecting and assessing work.
  • Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including working in restricted spaces and difficult conditions, and occasionally lifting or moving more than 50 pounds with appropriate equipment.
  • Ability to use written and oral communication, read and interpret data and documents, analyze and solve problems, use mathematical reasoning, observe and interpret situations, learn and apply new information or skills, work under deadlines with interruptions, and interact with City staff.
  • Ability to use appropriate safety equipment to prevent injury to self or others.
Responsibilities
  • Under direction of the Buildings Foreman or designee, supervise and work with a small group of lower-skill employees or laborers.
  • Receive work assignments and transmit them to workers under the foreman’s direction.
  • Complete daily reports, enforce safety regulations, maintain discipline, and order supplies and equipment.
  • Review assigned crew work for compliance with instructions and accepted trade practices.
  • Perform the same type of plumbing work as the employees being supervised.
  • Install and repair water pipes and make necessary connections; maintain plumbing systems; repair and replace valves, faucets, sinks, bubblers, tanks, and fixtures; replace gaskets and washers; open clogged drains; attach pipe assemblies to walls; assemble, bolt, or solder valves, couplings, pipes, pipe sections, and other parts; and connect plumbing fixtures to outlets and seal connections.
  • Perform other manual duties related to plumbing work and other duties as required.

About the company

Somerville is a city government that provides public services to residents, led by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Board of Aldermen. Its services cover public safety, housing, transportation, health, parks, and cultural and economic development, delivered through city departments and programs and shared via the city website and social media. It runs programs like Shape Up Somerville to tackle childhood obesity and supports bike- and walk-friendly, green initiatives to improve quality of life. The city’s goal is to offer high-quality public services and build a vibrant, inclusive community with health, culture, education, and sustainable growth for all residents.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Somerville, Massachusetts

Founded

1842

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 25, 2026 budget approval preserved major school and public-safety spending.
  • Bloomberg funded Somerville with $50,000 for youth climate microgrants opening September 1, 2026.
  • Elm-Beacon Connector work targets Thanksgiving 2026, improving walking and biking corridors.

What critics are saying

  • May 22, 2026 layoffs cut 29 positions, signaling continued pressure on core services.
  • SWU and AFSCME 93 organizing keeps labor conflict active through FY27 negotiations.
  • ARPA office closes December 31, 2026, removing funding support for housing-stability programs.

What makes City of Somerville unique

  • Union Square, Davis Square, and Harvard-Tufts proximity keep Somerville deeply connected to innovation.
  • Climate Forward and Youth Climate Action Fund embed resident-led sustainability into city operations.
  • The FY27 budget still prioritizes schools, affordable housing, and safer streets despite cuts.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • Paid Vacation
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement

Company News

Cambridge Day
May 27th, 2026
Somerville cuts jobs to close defict.

Somerville cuts jobs to close defict. City says it still plans to hire a new arts czar, although that job isn't listed on its jobs portal. Citing a $5.4 million projected budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, the City of Somerville announced on Friday it has cut 29 positions, comprising 13 existing staffers and 16 vacant openings. Laid-off employees will be placed on administrative leave through the end of June, according to the statement. City spokesperson Grace Munns confirmed that two of the 13 layoffs affected union employees. She would not specify which departments lost positions but said the new cabinet-level arts council leadership position promised by Mayor Jake Wilson in February would not be affected. There are, however, no open arts council positions listed on the City's jobs portal as of this writing. More details about staff changes, transfers and layoffs will be shared when the City submits its FY27 budget book, Munns said, which is expected on June 4. The Wilson administration had noted the looming budget deficit in an April meeting, saying it would cause "limited disruption," according to the Somerville Times. On Friday, the statement said the city first attempted to fix the budget shortfall by increasing revenues and lowering non-personnel expenses, but that they "were still left with needing to further reduce spending." Somerville's budget deficit isn't unique. Across the state, other municipalities are facing similar shortfalls as rising costs outpace revenue. Some are focused on increasing revenue through property tax hikes, including Arlington, which approved a $14.8 million budget override in April. The layoffs come at a time when the Somerville Workers United (SWU) wants the city to recognize its efforts to unionize approximately 220 positions with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 93, as reported by Working Mass. The SWU first attempted to organize with the existing Somerville Municipal Employees Union (SMEU), but Working Mass said those efforts stalled. SWU members were not immediately able to respond to requests for comment, but did release a GoFundMe page to support laid-off staffers. The description for the GoFundMe shares that laid off staff "include people working to advance racial justice, support Somerville youth, and finance professionals who ensure we spend taxpayer dollars responsibly." A stronger. Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day. Cambridge, Inc. is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible. Please consider a recurring contribution.

Cambridge Day
Apr 10th, 2024
Somerville launches its guaranteed income pilot as positive results come in from Cambridge study

Following in Cambridge's footsteps, Somerville has launched a guaranteed basic income pilot program, with 200 families set to begin receiving monthly payments of $750 in July.

Brookline
Jan 7th, 2024
Town Of Brookline & City Of Somerville To Host Virtual Public Information Session

The Town of Brookline announces that it is collaborating with the City of Somerville to host a public virtual information session.

KWHI
Nov 24th, 2023
BURLESON COUNTY TO HAVE CONTESTED RACE FOR SHERIFF

Sullivan was appointed as the Somerville Police Chief back in 2020.

City of Somerville
Nov 16th, 2023
Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting

The City has partnered with CultureHouse and Neighborways Design, to bring quick-build safety improvements to Glen and Otis Streets.