Bennington College is pleased to announce an opportunity for an experienced carpenter in our full-time, year-round role. Carpenters perform skilled work for all interior and exterior carpentry activities involved in the construction, remodeling, operation, maintenance and repair of all facilities and equipment. Work may be for new or existing residential housing, office buildings and/or general campus facilities. The current hourly rate of pay is $28.25. 

• Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm (full-time, 40 hours/week)

The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes generous paid time off benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, short-term disability coverage, and a retirement plan with employer match. The College also offers educational benefits for the employee, spouse/partner and dependents.

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

This position requires successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

Responsibilities

1. Manage all aspects of interior and exterior carpentry on new and existing structures, developing a plan or layout for the project or following a blueprint or schematic.  Build or repair wooden fixtures using woodworking machines, carpenter’s hand tools, and power tools.  Maintain existing furniture, doors, windows, roofs, floors, walls and exterior woodwork in repair.  Build equipment for departments and perform carpentry repairs on same.  As required, install, maintain and repair all doors and door closures.  Build additions to existing buildings or new structures.

2. Verify trueness of structures using plumb bob and level.  Measure materials or distances using square or measuring tape to lay out work and mark cutting lines on materials using ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.

3. Maintain, construct, install, alter, and repair structures and fixtures including but not limited to doors, small roofs, windows, frames, furniture, cabinets, shades, flooring, walls, structural supports and exterior using hand and power tools such as drills, jointers, sanders, saws, and other equipment of the carpentry trade.  Observe soundness and aesthetics of all structures and fixtures and inform supervisors of work needed.

4. Install and finish drywall, wood paneling, and siding.  Fill cracks and other defects in plaster or plasterboard and sand patch, using patching plaster, trowel, and sanding tool.  Install and maintain wood, ceramic, and resilient or cement floors including carpet tiles.  

5. Study specifications in blueprints, sketches or building plans to prepare project layout and determine materials and equipment required for assigned work.  Indicate any changes on as-built plans.  Select and order lumber and other required materials, as directed.   

6. Keep informed of trends and new equipment used in carpentry.

7. Accept daily work order, prioritize work orders and manage orders through completion.   Notify supervisor of discrepancies/problems with work orders, including any observation of hazardous materials or conditions.   

8. Operate assigned vehicles as required to assist with transport of goods to designated areas and/or to facilitate execution of job functions.  Report any mechanical defects in vehicle to assistant director.

9. Maintain proper care of tools and equipment.  Report necessary equipment repair and maintenance to supervisor in a timely manner.

10. Follow established safety rules and regulations including using appropriate guards and safety devices on all equipment.  Maintain a safe and clean work environment.  Keep informed of all material safety data sheets. Attend and successfully complete/pass College-sponsored safety classes and seminars.

11. Expected to be available by telephone to assist in any emergency.

12. Promote a positive and congenial atmosphere and working relationship with students, employees, supervisors and other individuals that this position may come in contact with.  Work effectively with other personnel to complete/coordinate designated duties.

13. Use proper judgment in work assignments on a daily basis and recommend improvements in work efficiency.  Effectively manage own time.

14. Additional related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. High School graduate and/or GED equivalent required; completion of a carpentry vocation/technical school or recognized apprenticeship program in carpentry is preferred.

2. Five (5) plus years of relevant experience in the carpentry or building trades is required including experience and familiarity with all phases of carpentry work, from framing through finish work. Seven plus (7+) years’ experience preferred; cabinetmaker experience is a plus.  Requires skilled carpentry ability which includes, among other things, the use of small hand and power tools, precision measuring and testing devices, mechanical equipment and materials applicable to the carpentry trade.  Ability to interpret blueprints, technical drawings and schematics as well conceptualize, plan and execute advanced carpentry projects.  

3. Proficient in use of computer technology (gmail/email and other programs as needed).  

4. Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend written instructions, correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write correspondence; Ability to read, comprehend and follow oral instructions and procedures.  Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate.

5. Exceptional customer service skills; demonstrated experience interacting and developing relationships with internal customers; demonstrated experience interacting and developing relationships with internal customers.   Demonstrated ability to multi-task, respond to requests with a sense of urgency, and complete work orders in a timely manner.  

6. Math Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure and inventory, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals to solve problems.

7. Reasoning Ability: Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and discussing ideas with supervisor. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations;

8. Valid/current driver’s license required; required attendance and successful completion of College’s annual Hazardous Communication Training Program and other College-sponsored classes and seminars as determined by the College.  Ability to understand proper use of chemicals used in the performance of position duties and maintain familiarity with the chemical’s material safety data sheets.  

9. Demonstrated ability to multi-task, respond to requests with a sense of urgency, and complete work orders in a timely manner.  

Working conditions and physical demands

This position works both indoors and outside of regular office buildings, academic/campus facilities, residential houses and the general maintenance plant building.  This position requires routine medium to heavy physical exertion; typically involves lifting, standing, bending, reaching, stooping, walking, pushing, pulling and climbing stairs, stepladders and extension ladders to coordinate work.  This position requires the ability to lift and carry at least 50 pounds and the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently.  This position may require some overtime as well as weekend and holiday coverage.

The College