Construction and Renovation Assistant

j-; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 21,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

J & M Property Management is seeking a dependable Construction & Renovation Assistant to join our growing team. The role involves hands-on carpentry, apartment renovations, and property improvements across our portfolio, working with supervisors, maintenance staff, and subcontractors.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in construction or remodeling, proficiency with common tools, and a strong eye for detail. The position emphasizes quality, efficiency, and safe, organized job sites.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on construction, remodeling or related experience.
• Experience in carpentry including finish work.
• Residential construction or remodeling experience preferred.
• Able to measure, cut, assemble, and install materials accurately.
• Familiar with drywall, painting, doors, trim, cabinets, flooring.
• Safely operate common hand and power tools.
• Basic understanding of residential building systems.
• Identify problems and propose practical solutions.
• Follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Assist with general carpentry and construction work on projects.
• Demolition, drywall, painting, and finish carpentry tasks.
• Install doors, trim, cabinets, and hardware.
• Assist with apartment renovations and unit turns.
• Support with material takeoffs and measurements.
• Keep job sites organized, safe, and compliant.
• Coordinate with supervisors and subcontractors as needed.
• Inspect completed work for quality and timelines.

Skills

Carpentry

Residential construction

Measuring & cutting

Hand & power tools

Drywall & painting

Reading plans

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Vocational training or apprenticeship

Tools

Circular saws

Miter saws

Table saws

Reciprocating saws

Jig saws

Drills & impact drivers

Nail guns

Sanders & grinders

Rotary hammers

Levels & lasers

Tape measures & layout tools

Ladders & scaffolding

Job description

Construction & Renovation Assistant

J & M Property Management
Full-Time | Construction, Renovation & Property Improvement

About J & M Property Management

J & M Property Management is a growing real estate and property management company specializing in multifamily residential properties, commercial properties, real estate development, construction, renovation, and property maintenance.

We take pride in the quality of the properties we own and manage and believe that excellent construction and maintenance are critical to providing a great experience for our residents, clients, and property owners.

We are seeking a dependable, skilled, and motivated Construction & Renovation Assistant to join our construction and maintenance team. This position will work alongside our construction leadership, maintenance professionals, subcontractors, and property management teams on apartment renovations, unit turns, property improvements, capital projects, and construction projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with carpentry and general construction experience who enjoys hands‑on work, takes pride in craftsmanship, and wants an opportunity to expand their skills and responsibilities as J & M continues to grow.

Position Summary

The Construction & Renovation Assistant is responsible for assisting with and performing a wide variety of construction, remodeling, repair, and property improvement activities throughout J & M's portfolio.

The position requires someone who can work independently when appropriate while also taking direction from construction supervisors, project managers, maintenance leadership, and other skilled tradespeople.

The successful candidate will be dependable, productive, safety-conscious, organized, mechanically inclined, and committed to producing high-quality work.

Projects may range from smaller apartment repairs and unit turns to complete apartment renovations and larger property improvement or construction projects.

Primary Responsibilities

Carpentry & Construction

Perform and assist with general carpentry and construction work, including:

• Framing walls, soffits, openings, and other structural or non-structural components.
• Installing and repairing interior and exterior doors.
• Installing door frames, hardware, locks, and trim.
• Installing baseboard, casing, crown molding, and other finish carpentry.
• Installing cabinets, vanities, countertops, shelving, and hardware.
• Constructing and repairing decks, stairs, railings, fencing, and similar structures.
• Measuring, cutting, assembling, and installing construction materials accurately.
• Performing demolition and preparing spaces for renovation.
• Assisting with rough and finish carpentry.
• Repairing damaged woodwork and building components.
• Reading measurements, plans, specifications, and basic construction drawings.
• Using levels, squares, lasers, and other measuring equipment to ensure accurate installation.
• Identifying construction issues and communicating potential solutions to supervisors.

Apartment Renovations & Unit Turns

Assist with complete apartment renovation and turnover projects, including:

• Demolition and removal of cabinets, flooring, fixtures, doors, trim, drywall, and other materials.
• Preparing units for remodeling and reconstruction.
• Drywall installation, patching, finishing, and repair.
• Interior painting, touch‑up painting, caulking, and finishing.
• Installation of cabinets, countertops, vanities, shelving, and hardware.
• Installation and repair of doors, trim, baseboards, and other finish materials.
• Flooring removal and preparation for new flooring.
• Assisting with installation of LVP, laminate, or other flooring when required.
• Installing blinds, mirrors, bath accessories, closet systems, and miscellaneous fixtures.
• Installing appliances and completing basic appliance hookups when permitted.
• Performing punch‑list work before renovated apartments are returned to property management.
• Inspecting completed work for workmanship, appearance, cleanliness, and completeness.
• Helping ensure renovated units are completed on schedule and ready for occupancy.

General Construction Support

Provide hands‑on assistance to construction supervisors and skilled trades on larger renovation and capital improvement projects.

Responsibilities may include:

• Site preparation.
• Material staging and organization.
• Demolition.
• Framing.
• Drywall.
• Insulation.
• Finish carpentry.
• Cabinet installation.
• Flooring preparation.
• Painting and finishing.
• Exterior improvements.
• Deck and railing repairs.
• Siding and exterior trim repairs.
• Window and door replacement.
• Landscaping and exterior property improvements related to construction projects.
• Construction cleanup.
• Final punch‑list completion.
  

Project & Jobsite Responsibilities

• Receive daily and weekly assignments from construction or maintenance leadership.
• Understand the scope of work before beginning each project.
• Help determine materials, tools, and equipment needed to complete assigned work.
• Maintain an organized and professional jobsite.
• Protect occupied areas and existing finishes during construction.
• Minimize disruption to residents and property operations.
• Track project progress and communicate delays, material shortages, or unforeseen conditions.
• Take photographs and document project progress when requested.
• Assist with material takeoffs and measurements.
• Pick up and deliver construction materials when necessary.
• Receive and verify deliveries.
• Keep construction materials organized and protected.
• Reduce unnecessary material waste.
• Maintain clean and safe work areas throughout each project.
• Complete assigned punch‑list items promptly.
• Help ensure projects meet J & M's quality expectations before final completion.

Tools & Equipment

The successful candidate should have experience using or be willing to become proficient with common construction tools, including:

• Circular saws.
• Miter saws.
• Table saws.
• Reciprocating saws.
• Jig saws.
• Drills and impact drivers.
• Nail guns and compressors.
• Sanders and grinders.
• Rotary hammers.
• Oscillating multi‑tools.
• Levels and laser levels.
• Tape measures and layout tools.
• Ladders and scaffolding.
• Hand tools commonly used in carpentry and construction.

Property Maintenance Support

When construction schedules allow, this position may assist J & M's property maintenance team with general repairs and property improvement projects, including:

• Door and lock repairs.
• Cabinet and countertop repairs.
• Drywall repairs.
• Trim and carpentry repairs.
• Flooring repairs.
• Minor plumbing repairs within the employee's qualifications and applicable regulations.
• Minor electrical‑related tasks that do not require a licensed electrician.
• Appliance installation and basic troubleshooting.
• Exterior building repairs.
• Preventative maintenance projects.
• Common‑area improvements.
• Emergency property repairs when necessary.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• 2+ years of hands‑on construction, remodeling, carpentry, apartment maintenance, or related experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with basic and finish carpentry.
• Experience with residential construction or remodeling.
• Ability to accurately measure, cut, assemble, and install building materials.
• Familiarity with drywall, painting, doors, trim, cabinets, flooring, and general construction.
• Ability to safely operate common hand and power tools.
• Basic understanding of residential building systems.
• Ability to identify problems and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record if operating company vehicles is required.
• Reliable transportation to assigned work locations.
• Ability to pass any pre‑employment screening required by company policy and applicable law.

A high school diploma, GED, vocational training, apprenticeship, or equivalent combination of education and construction experience is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with experience in:

• Multifamily apartment construction.
• Apartments renovations and unit turns.
• Residential remodeling.
• Finish carpentry.
• Cabinet and countertop installation.
• Door and window installation.
• Flooring installation.
• Drywall installation and repair.
• Painting and finishing.
• Deck and exterior construction.
• Construction punch‑list completion.
• Property maintenance.
• Reading construction drawings and specifications.
• Material estimating and takeoffs.
• Working with subcontractors and construction project managers.

Trade school, construction certifications, OSHA training, or other relevant credentials are considered a plus.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically active construction position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Frequently standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and climbing.
• Working from ladders and appropriate elevated work platforms.
• Regularly lifting and carrying construction materials, tools, and equipment.
• Safely lifting approximately 50 pounds individually and using appropriate assistance or equipment for heavier materials.
• Working indoors and outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.
• Working in environments that may include dust, noise, construction debris, and other typical jobsite conditions.
• Using hand and power tools for extended periods

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Quality of workmanship.
• Productivity and ability to complete work within expected timelines.
• Reliability and attendance.
• Ability to complete projects correctly the first time.
• Reduction of unnecessary callbacks and rework.
• Proper use and care of tools and equipment.
• Jobsite cleanliness and organization.
• Material management and reduction of waste.
• Safety performance.
• Communication with supervisors and coworkers.
• Ability to work independently as skills develop.
• Professional interaction with residents, vendors, subcontractors, and other J & M employees.
• Willingness to assist wherever needed to keep projects moving forward.

J & M Property Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to legally protected characteristics.