Plumbing Officers or Inspectors are fully qualified, experienced, plumbers who also work in an offical capacity for organisations such as the Council.
You could be carrying out:
- Plumbing inspections on new works or renovations
- Assessing Plumbing applications
- Responding to customer enquiries and/or investigations in accordance
- Reporting on the finding and outcomes
- Providing information on what needs to be done next
In addition to all of your technical plumbing skills, you’d need an analytical approach to problem solving, have a strong customer care focus with a respectful approach to conflict resolution, and excellent communication skills.
Hear from Carlie Low who works as a Plumbing Officer
SWG: What were your favourite subjects at school?
Carlie: Manual Arts (AKA Industrial Design and Technology)
SWG: How did you get to where you are today?
Carlie:Â While completing my schooling I also commenced a school-based apprenticeship. This meant I received my Year 12 certificate and went straight into full-time work to complete my apprenticeship.
SWG: Was the training hard?
Carlie: I wouldn’t say it was hard, but had its challenges like most training has when you are learning. I was also the only female in my classes throughout my whole TAFE course.
SWG: Do you have to be physically fit to work in construction?
Carlie:Â Within reason but you just need to remember you condition your body along the way.
SWG: What does a typical day at work look like for you?
Carlie: A typical day for me is conducting site inspections relating to unlawful, unlicensed, or non-complaint plumbing & drainage work. Once a breach of the Act has been confirmed then it is all about drafting up Enforcement Notices to be issued under the investigation.
SWG: What do you love most about your job?
Carlie: Every day is different, a mix of both indoor and outdoor work. Educating the community and ensuring that we all have a safe drinking supply and that all sewerage is discharged to the sewer network and  nowhere else.
SWG: What’s the best piece of advice you would give to anyone considering a career in the construction industry?
Carlie: Go for it because you have nothing to lose but lots to gain and you will never know unless you give it a go.
SWG: What future careers goals have you set for yourself?
Carlie: To complete a Diploma in Government Investigations, other than that I just like to see where the path leads me.
SWG: Thanks so much for your time Carlie and good luck with your Diploma. We’d love to hear where your paths takes you too.
Carlie works in Brisbane as well as working full- time as a Plumbing Officer, she’s also co-chair of NAWIC (The National Association of Women in Construction)Â Queensland’s Women on Tools Committee
Looking for more information?
If you’d like to read about other Careers in Construction, you can check out this page: https://studyworkgrow.com.au/careers/construction/. Or, if you’re specifically looking for information about becoming a Plumber, you could start with this Job Spotlight https://studyworkgrow.com.au/2022/04/28/how-to-become-a-plumber/.
