Carpenter

Art Institute of Chicago • Chicago, IL

42d • $26 - $33 • Onsite

About The Position

The Carpenter constructs, installs, repairs, and renovates structures and fixtures made of wood and other materials throughout the museum. Work ranges from custom cases and platforms to doors, walls, floors, ceilings, and building frameworks. The Carpenter reads plans, determines required materials, and performs assigned work in accordance with established safety standards.

The position works fully in person across museum facilities, carpentry shops, and active jobsites, with potential exposure to dust, noise, construction materials, and moving equipment. It requires regular handling of large construction materials, frequent movement of heavy loads using team-lifting techniques or material-handling equipment, sustained physical activity, and safe work at elevated heights.

This is a full-time, non-exempt staff position represented by AFSCME Council 31. The hiring range is $26.00–$32.50 per hour. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 2 years of hands-on carpentry experience.
• General knowledge of carpentry methods, materials, tools, machinery, and equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, sketches, building plans, measurements, and detailed instructions.
• Skill in measuring, cutting, shaping, joining, installing, and repairing wood and other construction materials.
• Ability to safely operate woodworking machines, hand tools, power tools, ladders, scaffolding, and related equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize assigned work, determine appropriate materials, and complete routine tasks with limited supervision, seeking direction when circumstances fall outside the assignment or established procedure.
• Ability to follow safety requirements and maintain a clean, orderly worksite.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Ability to handle, position, and cut large construction materials independently, including hardwood plywood sheets weighing up to 80 pounds, and to push, pull, and maneuver heavier loads using team-lifting techniques or material-handling equipment.
• Ability to sustain prolonged walking, standing, squatting, kneeling, overhead and below-waist reaching, and stair climbing, and to work safely at elevated heights.
• Consistently wear task- and environment-appropriate personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Formal training through a carpenter apprenticeship program is highly preferred.
• Residential framing experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Install walls, floors, and ceilings using wood, steel, metal, concrete, plastics, composite materials, and other appropriate materials.
• Fit, construct, and install doors, door frames, door hardware, and interior and exterior trim using levels, plumb bobs, laser levels, and related tools.
• Build and repair custom casework, cabinets, doors, frameworks, floors, and other wooden fixtures using woodworking machines, hand tools, and power tools.
• Read and interpret construction drawings, sketches, and building plans, and determine dimensions and materials required for assigned work.
• Measure, shape, and cut materials to specified dimensions using hand tools, machines, and power saws.
• Assemble, join, and fasten materials to create frameworks, fixtures, or props using screws, nails, dowel pins, glue, and other appropriate fasteners.
• Inspect ceiling and floor tile, wall coverings, siding, glass, woodwork, and related structures to identify damaged or defective areas.
• Remove damaged or defective parts or sections of structures and complete routine repairs or replacements within the scope of assigned work.
• Erect and use scaffolding and ladders to assemble, install, inspect, or repair structures above ground level.
• Move tools and materials around the jobsite as assigned and maintain orderly access to work areas.
• Follow established safety rules and regulations, use required personal protective equipment, and maintain a safe and clean work environment.
• Participate in and successfully complete required safety training, including training on asbestos awareness, hazard communication, fire safety, PPE, machine guarding, ladder and aerial lift safety, lockout/tagout, back injury prevention, hearing conservation, hand and power tool safety, and driver safety.
• Remove worksite debris and perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED