Carpenter

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Iowa State University is seeking a Carpenter to join the Department of Residence team. This position offers dependable hours, steady work, and a wide range of projects that make each day different. From renovations to custom repairs, you’ll work to support well-maintained living spaces for thousands of students. Schedule: Monday - Friday from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with their hands, solving problems on the spot, and taking ownership of the job from start to finish. You’ll be part of a skilled team that values quality craftsmanship and coordination across trades. Employees receive benefits including health insurance (starting day one), retirement plans, paid time off, tuition assistance after the first year of employment and much more! This is more than just a job—it's a chance to bring your expertise to a respected institution where you can take pride in seeing your work make a difference. If you are ready to be a part of a team that values precision, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, we encourage you to apply and help shape the future of our campus environment. At Iowa State University, the Department of Residence provides housing and community for over 10,000 students each year. From skilled trades to support staff, every team member plays a role in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and high-quality living environment where students can thrive. By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

Requirements

• Four years of experience in the trade, including apprenticeship.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques used in the carpentry trade.
• Ability to perform the full range of carpentry tasks independently.
• Ability to interpret and follow carpentry instructions and specifications such as blueprints, manuals, sketches, and work orders.
• Ability to operate safely and care for carpentry tools, machines and equipment.
• Knowledge of materials used in carpentry and ability to determine materials needed for the job and prepare cost estimates.
• Ability to lift or maneuver up to 100 pounds.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade.
• Ability to erect ladders and work at heights.
• Knowledge and working ability of computers for planning, organizing and ordering equipment and materials.
• Ability to set up and tear down audiovisual equipment.
• Knowledge of standard cleaning techniques, rust removal techniques, and characteristics of surfaces to be cleaned, and equipment and supplies required.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience installing doors and making necessary repairs to maintain security, including adding fixtures and fittings such as door handles, locks, hinges, and closures.
• Experience patching drywall and performing touch-up and finishing painting.
• Experience installing and replacing window units.
• Experience in finishing carpentry work, such as installing baseboards, crown molding, window casings, and other trim.

Responsibilities

• Complete structural and finish carpentry for residential facilities
• Fabricate custom wood or metal parts not commercially available
• Install and adjust doors, hardware, furniture, and fixtures
• Follow blueprints or sketches to plan and carry out assigned work
• Coordinate with other trades and departments as needed
• Constructs, installs, and repairs cabinets, doors, windows, screens, shades, blinds, furniture, seats, laminate materials and other components not available from commercial sources.
• Constructs walls, ceilings and floors.
• Frames and installs doors and windows; insulates walls and performs demolition work as necessary.
• Estimates, measures, fabricates and cuts metals for associated jobs using precision leveling equipment.
• Design and fabricate necessary metal and wood projects that do not necessarily have a planned design.
• Fabricate one-off pieces to include, but not limited to: brackets, hangers, supports, etc.
• Lays tile, linoleum, laminates, epoxies and various other kinds of coverings on floors and other surfaces; patches, repairs or replaces work and damaged floors; installs counter tops and covers other surfaces; cuts forms and adheres coverings to various shapes and types of surface; tapes and finishes dry wall.
• Installs door closures, hinges, door stops, handles, related hardware and performs minor glazing.
• Performs patching, repair and rust removal work for all types of walls and surfaces to a finished stage. Full and partial removal of existing materials like door frames, cutting and final fitment of replacement parts, then surface preparation to provide smooth finished texture with tasks such as grinding, sanding, body filler and primer for final finishes and applies finishes as required.
• Draws rough layouts and reads and interprets blueprints and drawings.
• Prepare estimates of materials and time needed to complete assigned jobs and orders materials as needed.
• Erects and disassembles ladders and related equipment.
• Assembles and disassembles all supports, structure, hangers, mounts (motorized or non-motorized) for audio visual equipment installations including ergonomic workstations. May also rework existing building structure to allow for new or replacement projection screens.
• Set up and tear down of office spaces. Ability to assemble and disassemble different types of modular office furniture. Includes walls (with or without power and data capabilities), doors, shelves, desks, filing cabinets, etc. Ability to recognize different manufacturers and their unique assembly requirements.
• Assists in directing work and training of apprentices and other workers.

Benefits

• Insurance benefits beginning on your first day, with timely enrollment
• Robust retirement options with strong university contributions
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay - Holidays off!
• Tuition reimbursement available after one year of employment
• A reliable, daytime, Monday–Friday schedule that supports work–life balance - No nights or weekends!
• A collaborative, service-oriented workplace dedicated to supporting students

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees