Carpenter

Iowa State University; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University is seeking a skilled carpenter to join the Department of Residence. The role focuses on maintaining and improving residence hall facilities, performing a range of carpentry tasks from repairs to new installations, under general supervision as a journeyworker.

The position emphasizes building safe living spaces for students, working with a team of staff and apprentices, and contributing to construction and renovation projects across campus.

Qualifications

• Four years of carpentry experience, including apprenticeship.
• Ability to read blueprints and drawings.
• Ability to lift or maneuver up to 100 pounds.
• Experience with installing cabinets, doors, and related components.

Responsibilities

• Constructs, installs, and repairs cabinets, doors, windows, screens, shades, blinds, furniture, seats, laminate materials and other components not available from commercial sources.
• Frames walls, ceilings and floors; installs doors/windows; insulates walls and performs demolition as needed.
• Fabricates metal and wood parts; designs and fabricates pieces as needed.
• Lays flooring coverings; patches or replaces damaged floors; trims and finishes surfaces.
• Installs hardware and audiovisual equipment supports; sets up modular office spaces.
• Directs work and trains apprentices and other workers.

Skills

Carpentry knowledge

Blueprint reading

Material estimation

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Job description

Position Title

Carpenter

Job Group

Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Four years of experience in the trade, including apprenticeship.

Job Description

Iowa State University is seeking a skilled carpenter to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing the physical environment of our residence halls. This role involves performing a variety of carpentry tasks, including repairs, installations, and construction projects, to ensure a safe and comfortable living space for our students. The carpenter will work closely with other staff members to support the overall mission of the Department of Residence. Under general supervision, applies knowledge and skill at the level of a journeyworker to build and repair wooden and related structures, and performs other duties related or incidental thereto.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience installing wood or vinyl flooring.
• Experience hanging and finishing sheet rock.
• Finished cabinet making experience.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.

Legal and employment information

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Appointment Type: Regular
• Number of Months Employed: 12
• Time Type: Full time
• Pay Grade: 5061a
• Original Posting Date: September 3, 2026
• Posting Close Date: September 17, 2026
• Job Requisition Number: R19879

Why Choose Iowa State University?

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Equal Opportunity

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Additional Information

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.

Applicant Accommodations

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone]. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone].