Dillon Merta
Summary
Reliable Labor Worker/Plumber comfortable handling physically demanding tasks across long shifts and through problematic weather conditions. Proven resourcefulness and handling of difficult labor projects. Juggles multiple tasks to keep assignment timelines on schedule. Established reputation for punctuality and dedicated work ethic.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Laborer
Recovery Asset Management
Cedar Rapids
06.2025 - Current
- Operated machinery for material handling and site preparation tasks.
- Assisted in demolition and cleanup of hazardous materials at various sites.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely project completion and safety compliance.
- Maintained tools and equipment to ensure proper functioning and safety standards.
- Followed safety protocols to minimize risks during manual labor operations.
- Loaded and unloaded materials while adhering to proper lifting techniques.
- Participated in training sessions to enhance skills in equipment operation and safety practices.
- Communicated effectively with supervisors regarding ongoing project needs and challenges.
- Performed physical activities requiring heavy lifting, walking and standing for long periods of time.
- Completed variety of physical labor tasks.
- Lifted objects weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance when necessary.
- Worked with team members to ensure efficient workflow throughout the day.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Cleaned work area after job completion ensuring all debris is properly disposed of.
- Assisted with basic maintenance tasks such as sweeping, mopping, painting, and cleaning.
- Operated and maintained a variety of equipment including hand and power tools.
- Collaborated with team members to complete assigned tasks and meet tight deadlines.
- Organized tools, supplies, and equipment needed for specific jobs according to instructions provided by supervisor.
- Met company and OSHA safety guidelines for work site operations to minimize worker risk.
- Loaded and unloaded daily material shipments, keeping products organized and secure to prevent damage and optimize handling.
- Performed repetitive assembly tasks with hand and power tools and automated equipment.
- Transported heavy items from one location to another using hand trucks or carts.
- Performed regular checks of equipment for proper operation and safety compliance.
- Prepared items for transportation installing bracing, padding and strapping to prevent damage.
- Stacked and arranged products on pallets according to size and weight requirements.
- Lubricated and cleaned machinery and tools.
- Sorted and placed materials or items on racks, shelves or in bins to keep warehouse organized.
Plumber
Valenta Plumbing
Cedar Rapids
06.2025 - 10.2025
- Installed pipes and fixtures for residential plumbing systems.
- Assisted with troubleshooting plumbing issues in various settings.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient project completion.
- Learned safety protocols and best practices for plumbing tasks.
- Maintained tools and equipment in good working condition.
- Communicated effectively with clients regarding service details.
- Followed blueprints and technical drawings for accurate installations.
- Replaced worn or damaged plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, and garbage disposals.
- Tested plumbing systems to locate leaks, malfunctions and repair needs.
- Located and repaired leaks in water supply lines.
- Installed and repaired water supply lines, waste disposal systems, and related appliances.
- Cut and fit pipes to established measurements.
- Assembled and installed metal and nonmetal valves, pipe fittings and pipes.
- Maintained tools and equipment to keep supplies in excellent working condition.
- Communicated with customers regarding recommendations on repairs, replacements and upgrades of plumbing equipment.
- Cut openings in walls and floors to accommodate pipe and pipe fittings.
- Performed pipe fabrication, installation, and fitting according to proper specifications.
- Assisted apprentices with learning basic skills such as soldering pipes or installing valves.
- Connected gas lines to stoves, dryers, hot water heaters, furnaces.
- Followed relevant codes, regulations, and safety techniques.
- Visited customer sites to assess their needs and provide estimates for repair jobs.
- Ran tests on newly installed systems to ensure proper functionality before finalizing projects.
- Installed pumps and backflow prevention devices according to local codes.
- Installed and extended underground storm, sanitation, and water piping systems to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Assisted with troubleshooting and used alternative methods in emergency situations.
- Provided emergency services when needed including repairing burst pipes during inclement weather conditions.
- Maintained records of work performed on each job site including material used and time spent on the job.
- Identified and located required tools prior to starting each project.
- Studied blueprints and inspected structures to assess material and equipment needs, pipe installation sequence and installation around possible obstructions.
- Sealed joints between sections of pipes using lead wool or threading compounds.
- Followed safety protocols while working in hazardous environments such as septic tanks or gas lines.
- Used power tools to create assemblies and sub-assemblies.
- Performed routine maintenance tasks such as flushing out drainpipes or cleaning out grease traps.
- Calculated costs associated with labor and materials needed for each project.
Plumber
JP Plumbing Systems
Cedar Rapids
01.2023 - 05.2025
- Installed pipes and fixtures for residential plumbing systems.
- Assisted with troubleshooting plumbing issues in various settings.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient project completion.
- Maintained tools and equipment in good working condition.
- Learned safety protocols and best practices for plumbing tasks.
- Communicated effectively with clients regarding service details.
- Located and repaired leaks in water supply lines.
- Installed and repaired water supply lines, waste disposal systems, and related appliances.
- Cut and fit pipes to established measurements.
- Assembled and installed metal and nonmetal valves, pipe fittings and pipes.
- Maintained tools and equipment to keep supplies in excellent working condition.
- Communicated with customers regarding recommendations on repairs, replacements and upgrades of plumbing equipment.
- Cut openings in walls and floors to accommodate pipe and pipe fittings.
- Soldered copper pipe joints to connect water supply lines for new installations.
- Performed pipe fabrication, installation, and fitting according to proper specifications.
- Assisted apprentices with learning basic skills such as soldering pipes or installing valves.
- Connected gas lines to stoves, dryers, hot water heaters, furnaces.
- Followed relevant codes, regulations, and safety techniques.
- Visited customer sites to assess their needs and provide estimates for repair jobs.
- Installed and extended underground storm, sanitation, and water piping systems to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Installed pumps and backflow prevention devices according to local codes.
- Ran tests on newly installed systems to ensure proper functionality before finalizing projects.
- Provided emergency services when needed including repairing burst pipes during inclement weather conditions.
- Assisted with troubleshooting and used alternative methods in emergency situations.
- Followed blueprints and technical drawings for accurate installations.
- Replaced worn or damaged plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, and garbage disposals.
- Tested plumbing systems to locate leaks, malfunctions and repair needs.
- Maintained records of work performed on each job site including material used and time spent on the job.
- Identified and located required tools prior to starting each project.
- Studied blueprints and inspected structures to assess material and equipment needs, pipe installation sequence and installation around possible obstructions.
- Repaired broken or blocked sewer lines with the use of video cameras.
- Used power tools to create assemblies and sub-assemblies.
- Followed safety protocols while working in hazardous environments such as septic tanks or gas lines.
- Performed routine maintenance tasks such as flushing out drainpipes or cleaning out grease traps.
- Supervised staff and evaluated work performance.
- Calculated costs associated with labor and materials needed for each project.
- Prepared project bids and gathered parts, labor and equipment needed for projects.
- Completed walk-throughs of completed systems to verify code adherence.
- Inspected and tested installed systems to isolate and identify faults.
- Verified and gathered measurements to determine proper piping sizes.
- Inspected work sites for holes and damage.
- Installed supports from ceiling joists to secure pipes in place.
- Inspected installed systems using hydrostatic testing or pressure gauges.
- Shut off steam or other gases or liquids from pipes to conduct maintenance.
- Established sequence of installations around obstructions.
- Welded piping using specialized techniques and computer-assisted fabrication.
- Installed automated controls to regulate pressure and volume in pipe systems.
Truck driver and boom truck operator
Builders First Choice
Cedar Rapids
01.2018 - 12.2022
- Operated commercial vehicles for timely delivery of construction materials.
- Inspected trucks and trailers for safety and compliance before each trip.
- Maintained accurate logs of mileage, fuel usage, and delivery schedules.
- Collaborated with dispatchers to optimize delivery routes and schedules.
- Assisted customers with loading and unloading materials at job sites.
- Followed safety protocols to ensure secure transport of materials.
- Communicated effectively with team members regarding delivery statuses.
- Transported goods to and from specified destinations in accordance with delivery schedules.
- Communicated with dispatchers regarding pickup and delivery times.
- Demonstrated safe driving by observing road rules, exercising caution in unfamiliar areas and maintaining vehicle control.
- Inspected truck before and after trips, ensuring all safety regulations were followed.
- Checked vehicle for mechanical items and safety issues, maintained logs of working hours, monitored the vehicle's performance, and recorded any incidents.
- Filled out paperwork accurately at each stop along route including bills of lading and trip sheets.
- Inspected truck for defects and safe operating condition before, during and after trips.
- Performed daily pre-trip inspections on vehicles to ensure safe operation on the roadways.
Plumber
Five Star Plumbing, Heating, Cooling
Cedar Rapids
05.2012 - 12.2022
- Installed pipes and fixtures for residential plumbing systems.
- Assisted with troubleshooting plumbing issues in various settings.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient project completion.
- Learned safety protocols and best practices for plumbing tasks.
- Maintained tools and equipment in good working condition.
- Supported senior plumbers during installation and repair projects.
- Communicated effectively with clients regarding service details.
- Followed blueprints and technical drawings for accurate installations.
- Replaced worn or damaged plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, and garbage disposals.
- Tested plumbing systems to locate leaks, malfunctions and repair needs.
- Located and repaired leaks in water supply lines.
- Installed and repaired water supply lines, waste disposal systems, and related appliances.
- Cut and fit pipes to established measurements.
- Assembled and installed metal and nonmetal valves, pipe fittings and pipes.
- Maintained tools and equipment to keep supplies in excellent working condition.
- Communicated with customers regarding recommendations on repairs, replacements and upgrades of plumbing equipment.
- Soldered copper pipe joints to connect water supply lines for new installations.
- Performed pipe fabrication, installation, and fitting according to proper specifications.
- Assisted apprentices with learning basic skills such as soldering pipes or installing valves.
- Connected gas lines to stoves, dryers, hot water heaters, furnaces.
- Followed relevant codes, regulations, and safety techniques.
- Visited customer sites to assess their needs and provide estimates for repair jobs.
- Installed and extended underground storm, sanitation, and water piping systems to connect fixtures and plumbing.
- Installed pumps and backflow prevention devices according to local codes.
- Ran tests on newly installed systems to ensure proper functionality before finalizing projects.
- Provided emergency services when needed including repairing burst pipes during inclement weather conditions.
- Assisted with troubleshooting and used alternative methods in emergency situations.
- Maintained records of work performed on each job site including material used and time spent on the job.
- Identified and located required tools prior to starting each project.
- Studied blueprints and inspected structures to assess material and equipment needs, pipe installation sequence and installation around possible obstructions.
- Sealed joints between sections of pipes using lead wool or threading compounds.
- Followed safety protocols while working in hazardous environments such as septic tanks or gas lines.
- Used power tools to create assemblies and sub-assemblies.
- Performed routine maintenance tasks such as flushing out drainpipes or cleaning out grease traps.
- Supervised staff and evaluated work performance.
- Calculated costs associated with labor and materials needed for each project.
- Prepared project bids and gathered parts, labor and equipment needed for projects.
- Completed walk-throughs of completed systems to verify code adherence.
- Inspected and tested installed systems to isolate and identify faults.
- Verified and gathered measurements to determine proper piping sizes.
- Installed supports from ceiling joists to secure pipes in place.
- Inspected work sites for holes and damage.
- Inspected installed systems using hydrostatic testing or pressure gauges.
- Shut off steam or other gases or liquids from pipes to conduct maintenance.
- Established sequence of installations around obstructions.
- Welded piping using specialized techniques and computer-assisted fabrication.
- Installed automated controls to regulate pressure and volume in pipe systems.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Plumbing
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA 05.2011 - 05.2012
Skills
- Equipment operation
- Material handling
- Pipe installation
- Leak detection
- Safety compliance
- Problem solving
- Customer communication
- Route optimization
- Project collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Process improvement
- Heavy lifting
- Truck loading and unloading
- Job site safety
- Customer service
- Physical strength
- Safety awareness
- Willingness to learn
- Job site cleanup
- Debris removal
- Caulking and sealing
- Plumbing
- Punctual and reliable
- Resource management
- Repetitive work
- Tool retrieval
- Hand-eye coordination
- Hand and power tools
- Basic carpentry
- Ladder safety
- Construction
- Blueprint reading
- Scaffolding assembly and disassembly
- Verbal and written communication
- Team collaboration
- Light carpentry
- Complex Problem-solving
- Cement mixing
- Basic electrical work
- Drywall installation
- Job site organization
- [State] Driver's license
Timeline
Laborer
Recovery Asset Management
06.2025 - Current
Plumber
Valenta Plumbing
06.2025 - 10.2025
Plumber
JP Plumbing Systems
01.2023 - 05.2025
Truck driver and boom truck operator
Builders First Choice
01.2018 - 12.2022
Plumber
Five Star Plumbing, Heating, Cooling
05.2012 - 12.2022
Associate of Applied Science - Plumbing
Kirkwood Community College
05.2011 - 05.2012