Construction Hiring: Carpenter Job Description

Hiring for a skilled trade

Regardless of your industry, hiring top talent can be a challenge. In construction, it can be even more difficult as the work is specialized and can take many years of training and in-field work for a tradesperson to develop their skills.The Carpenters Training Institute requires apprentices to complete 7,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) and 640 hours of classroom learning. Although not all carpenters receive classroom or formal training, it certainly takes multiple years for skills to be honed.

Job description is the first step in recruiting process

As a contractor looking to hire a carpenter, you will know the ideal experience and skill set you want them to have but where do you start with the recruiting process?The first step is to create a job description to outline the job duties and must have skills and experience that your next carpenter hire needs. Whether you are looking to hire a green carpenter apprentice or helper or a master finish carpenter, this job description outline will help you with a successful hiring outcome.

Steps:

• Clearly outline job duties
• Define the must have requirements and skills
• Outline the relevant job details
• Create a job posting one liner

Clearly outline job duties

Write out all the tasks and duties the carpenter will be expected to perform on the job. For apprentices, this can be anything from site preparation and moving materials to helping journeymen with framing. For journeymen and leads, this can be interpreting blueprints and performing layouts. It’s important to be as specific as possible both for the candidate and for yourself during the hiring process. While it sounds obvious, it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for.

Define the must have requirements and skills

One of the main things to clarify here is the tools the carpenter owns or has experience with. What type of saws will they be using? Are they an expert with a nail gun? In the interview, you should ask them to talk about the tools they’ve used.Here you can also outline requirements for years of experience and experience with specific types of projects, such as residential remodeling. Also you should make sure they can read blueprints if that’s important for your hire.

Outline the relevant job details

As part of your job description, you should include the typical work week and hours, the expected duration of the job (1 month, 6 months, long term, etc) and the pay rate. If you don’t know the pay rate yet or want to see what candidates are expecting, it’s ok to leave the pay rate off of the job description. Finally, if you intend on running a background check process, it is a good idea to include this in your job description.

Create job posting one liner

The last step in the job description creation process is writing a one liner. This should summarize the job and help to generate interest for any potential applicants. See the example below.Here is an example job description (link to original):

JOURNEYMAN CARPENTER

‍General contractor specializing in residential remodels, room additions, and new construction is hiring journeyman carpenters for remodel projects. Ability to read blueprints is required.

‍JOB DUTIES:

• Interpret blueprints and perform layouts
• Framing
• Finish work: trim, baseboard, crown moulding, cabinets
• Install doors, windows, and flooring
• Drywall repair
• Basic pick up work (putting in tile bars, blocking, etc)
• Replace lighting fixtures
• Change sinks, toilets, and shower heads
• Other remodeling tasks as needed
• Cover driving area of San Jose and South Bay

 MUST HAVES:

• 5+ years of carpentry experience, residential remodeling experience
• Must be able to read blueprints
• Ability to take remodeling projects from demo to finish
• Other skills in drywall, painting, minor electrical and minor plumbing
• Own Truck required to drive to work sites
• Strong customer facing skills & experience
• PPE: Hard Hat, Steel Cap Boots, Gloves
• Tools: Levels, tape measure, drill, nail bar, screwdrivers, framing hammer, square, etc
• Able to operate circular saw, chop saw, reciprocating saw, drills, nail guns

 JOB DETAILS:

• Rate: $38 p/h
• Typical work week from 8am to 4:30pm
• This is a long term position
• Mileage expenses covered

References & background checks will be required.

Need help hiring a carpenter?

At Workyard, we specialize in helping construction companies of all sizes to hire skilled workers. We have a rigorous hiring process and only 1-3% of candidates are hired. We cover 10 trades and staff for a variety of skill levels, from apprentices to foremen. Click the 'request pricing' button below to find out more about hirimng a carpenter through Workyard.