Position Summary

The Shops Mechanic Helper position is responsible for providing assistance to the trades mechanics in our Shops, including the carpenter, mason, painter, and electrician, as they perform their duties across the Institute campus. 

Essential Job Duties

Responsible for general painting and preventative maintenance duties across the Institute campus (90%)

• Assists the carpenter with flooring, door and hardware, cabinetry, office furniture, interior and exterior trim work and acoustic ceiling installations and repairs.
• Takes measurements and calculates the size and amount of materials needed. Measures, cuts, and shapes wood, plastic, and other materials
• Inspects and replaces damaged woodwork or other structures and fixtures.
• Repairs damaged roofs (asphalt shingles and flat roofs).
• Assists the mason by mixing, color blending, forming, building, and repairing various concrete, brick, stone, and cinderblock structures. Assists mason in smoothing and finishing surfaces of placed concrete to specific textures, following specific work orders and utilizing appropriate supplies, equipment, and manual, power, or pneumatic masonry tools.
• Assists the painter by painting and staining walls, floors and ceilings, fences, furniture, cabinetry, etc. May also paint building exteriors.
• Assists the electrician with repairing, installing, replacing, and testing electrical circuits, equipment, and appliances, utilizing appropriate tools, testing instruments, materials, and supplies.
• Effectively coordinates work to be completed with appropriate maintenance specialty; e.g., electricity, carpentry, etc., to ensure a quality end product that is completed within established timeframe
• Ensures that all equipment and supplies are maintained in a safe and secure environment at all times; e.g., tools, paint cans, solvent, rags, ladders, scaffolding, lighting, etc.
• Provides assistance to other maintenance areas, as needed, to include ice/snow removal, furniture moving, and various other general maintenance activities.

All other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Supervisor (10%)

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Carpentry and painting experience.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years’ related experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Working Conditions

• Must be able to traverse work locations in all types of weather; this may include walking, climbing, reaching, bending, crawling or stretching.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb and perform work on ladders, lifts and scaffolding at various heights.
• Ability to safely use basic hand and power tools.

The Institute for Advanced Study retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position at any time.

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. 

At the Institute for Advanced Study’s creation in 1930, the founders wrote: “fundamental in our purpose, and our express desire, [is] that in the appointments to the Staff and Faculty as well as in the admission of workers and students, no account shall be taken, directly or indirectly, of race, religion, or sex.”  We recognize these ideals require continual examination of our culture. Today, we strive to create a community in which all people feel welcomed, respected, and valued.  We seek to address the harmful effects of inequity and discrimination on individual Scholars, Faculty, Staff, and scholarship as a whole.  We affirm equality and embrace our differences as we work to transform principles into action and grow new forms of scholarly community.