Historic Restoration Worker

Oak Brothers; Chicago (IL); Hybride; USD 28 000 - 32 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Meaningful work with clients

Payment of major holidays

Tuition assistance after six months

Sick leave per Chicago ordinance

Résumé du poste

Oak Brothers in Chicago is seeking an entry-level restoration worker with a strong artisanal orientation and 1–2 years in a related trade. You will learn to restore historic wood elements, work with hand and basic power tools, and contribute to architectural restoration projects in a supportive shop environment.

We value craftsmanship, reliability, and a proactive mindset. This full-time, on-site role offers meaningful hands-on work, ongoing skill development, and opportunities to participate in

Qualifications

• Entry-level restoration role requiring 1-2 years in a related trade
• Must have transferable, craft-focused hand skills
• Willingness to learn restoration in architectural context

Responsabilités

• Repair and restore historic wood windows, including sash, frames, sills, muntins, glazing components
• Repair and restore historic wood doors, thresholds, casing, and hardware
• Repair and restore other interior architectural elements (cabinets, fireplaces, trim, paneling)
• Apply wood consolidants, fillers, adhesives, bleaches, and finishes properly
• Maintain consistency and quality during repetitive tasks
• Prepare and apply painted, stained, and clear finishes
• Transport tools and materials to job sites
• Keep work area clean and organized
• Communicate clearly with owner, coworkers, and clients on site
• Handle and store tools and equipment with care
• Follow PPE and safety procedures when handling toxic materials
• Build skills in preservation and restoration architecture

Connaissances

Transferable hand skills

Artistic sensibilities

Woodworking tools

Attention to detail

English communication

Outils

Table saw

Router

Planer

Chop saw

Hand planes

Chisels

Description du poste

We are looking for an entry-level restoration worker with strong, transferable hand skills and 1-2 years of experience in a related trade or artisanal position who is eager to develop their potential in an architectural context.The ideal candidate will be equally committed to both craftsmanship and aesthetic/artistic values—in short, an artisanal orientation.Besides hand skills, you will have some experience with and a capacity to quickly learn to accomplish woodworking tasks with basic machine tools.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Because training is part of the job, persons need not have the specific restoration competencies and skills required.Persons must, however, have the following:

• Established transferable job-related hand skills.Some jobs with transferable skills include:artist, chef (not line cook), seamstress/tailor, trim carpenter, luthier, picture framer, art conservator, theatrical set builder; furniture restoration, faux finisher/decorative arts painter, etc.
• Artistic sensibilities combined with craftsman-level skills which enable one to integrate finishing and structural/functional aspects of the architectural restoration process.
• Some experience working with both hand and basic power wood working tools (table saw, router, planer, chop saw, hand planes and chisels, tape measure).
• Neatness, precision, and delicacy in attending to details.
• Ability to work for extended periods of time standing, kneeling/crouching/stooping, using hands and reaching.
• Frequent lifting and moving required of items 25 to 50+ pounds.Less frequent lifting and moving of items up to 80 pounds.
• Ability to maintain quality and productivity while engaged in repetitive tasks over extended periods of time.
• Appreciation for vintage artifacts, restoration/preservation principles, and the history of architecture.
• A stellar work ethic (defined as honesty, integrity, and industriousness).
• Reliability, punctuality, and ability to work both independently and in coordination with other crafts persons.
• Rather than mindless engagement in tasks, the ability and initiative to think creatively about ways to accomplish tasks, accomplishing them with efficiency and quality.
• A capacity to maintain productivity while working independently and in coordination with others.
• A willingness to follow personal protection procedures and wear protective equipment when working with toxic chemicals and/or materials (such as lead paint).
• Independent means of transportation and the ability to commute to both the shop in the South Shore neighborhood and onsite throughout the Chicagoland area.
• Proficiency in English speaking and listening (understanding).

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in repairing, and restoring historic wood windows including sash, frames, sills, muntins, and glazing components.
• Assist in repairing and restoring historic wood doors, thresholds, casing, and associated hardware.
• Assist in repairing and restoring other interior architectural elements, including built-in cabinets, fireplace surrounds, staircases, wood trim, wall paneling, pocket doors and other interior elements.
• Apply appropriate wood consolidates, fillers, adhesives, bleaches, and finishes in a workmanlike manner.
• Maintain consistency, quality, and economy while doing repetitive procedures over an extended period.
• Prep. and apply painted, stained, and clear finishes.
• Transport tools and materials to and from job sites.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with the owner, co-workers, and with clients on site.
• Handle and store tools and equipment with care.
• Develop an understanding of and have a willingness to follow personal protection procedures and wear protective equipment when working with toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials (such as lead paint).
• Maintain a commitment to building your own skills in and understanding of preservation and restoration architecture, recognizing that increased productivity enhances self-worth and results in increased compensation.

This is a full-time (35-40 hrs.), hourly wage position at a rate commensurate with one’s skill level.$20-$23/hr.

Benefits beginning day one:

• Meaningful work with dignity for appreciative clientele.
• While many of the trades will be increasingly focused on hiring “installers” you will acquire valuable hand skills and be contributing to creative projects.
• The satisfaction that comes from participating in projects from beginning to end, thus experiencing the (sometimes magical) transformation which one’s work has enabled.
• Per the Chicago Paid Leave Ordinance, one hour of sick leave is accrued for every 35 hrs. worked.

Benefits beginning after six months:

• Five paid major holidays.
• Wage increases commensurate with skill development that is contributing to increased productivity.
• Partial tuition assistance for approved continuing education.

About Us

We are a small, but growing Chicago-area shop specializing in the restoration and period-appropriate enhancement of transitional (windows and doors) and interior elements in historic residential architecture. As our 5-star Google reviews attest (please read), we have built a strong reputation for doing high quality work with integrity and care in a relational approach with our clients.While wood window and door restoration have been our “bread-and-butter” services, the launch of our new website is expressive of our initiative to expand our scope to take on a broader range of projects, especially ones with a strong orientation towards aesthetic enhancement. You will be part of an exciting and adventurous expansion! While profit is important, we are also a mission-driven company, recognizing that beauty in one’s everyday life is important for the soul’s well-being.Respectful and creative commitment to three fundamental principles guides our work:

• Preservation and enhancement of architectural integrity.
• Integration of structural soundness and functional ease with beauty.
• Celebration of the desirable effects of aging.

We prefer work in the residential sector (though not exclusively) because homeowners care deeply about their dwelling places.

Thanks! We’re looking forward to hearing from you and seeing what you’ve been doing with your “

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” (“The Summer Day”Mary Oliver)