Lead Carpenter

CSU; California (MO); On-site; USD 67,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA, seeks a Lead Carpenter in the Building Trades department to oversee carpentry work on campus projects and coordinate with other trades. The role includes supervising assistants, maintaining materials, and keeping work logs.

Ideal candidates have journey-level carpenter experience, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, with knowledge of safety codes and regulations.

Qualifications

• Two years of journey-level carpenter experience including work coordination responsibilities.
• Valid driver's license.
• Six years of journey-level experience as a carpenter; combination of experience and education may substitute for the experience requirement.

Responsibilities

• Provides lead work direction to unskilled or skilled assistants involved in carpentry work.
• Erects, maintains and repairs buildings, sheds, scaffolds, forms, frames, fences and other structures.
• Builds and repairs cupboards, lockers, shelves, doors and window frames.

Skills

Lead supervision

Carpentry knowledge

Blueprint reading

Estimating materials

Record-keeping

Tools

Carpentry tools

Job description

Working Title: Lead Carpenter

Department Name: Building Trades

Division: Administration and Finance

Classification Title: Lead Carpenter

Classification Salary Range: $5,998 - $8,737 per month

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $7,168 - $7,457 per month.

The final salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision of the Director, Facilities Operations-Building Trades, the Lead Carpenter is responsible for a full range of skilled carpentry work activities for campus projects in coordination with other trades workers; assists in the requisition, storage and maintenance of building materials, tools and equipment; maintains building records and work logs; provides lead work direction to unskilled or skilled assistants involved in building projects; work may involve exposure to hazardous materials; and does other related work as may be assigned.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides lead work direction to unskilled or skilled assistants involved in carpentry work.
• Erects, maintains and repairs various types of buildings, shed, scaffolds, forms, frames, fences and other structures.
• Builds and repairs cupboards, lockers, shelves, doors and window frames.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of experience as a journey-level carpenter that included work coordination responsibilities.
• Valid driver's license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must possess a working knowledge of effective supervisory practices and techniques.
• Work requires thorough knowledge of methods, materials, tools and equipment used in both rough and finished carpentry; various types and grades of lumber; hand and power carpentry tools; and applicable state safety codes and regulations pertaining to the carpentry trade, including the Safety Orders of the Division of Industrial Safety for the State of California and California State Building Codes.
• Must be able to build, install and repair structural woodwork, flooring, ceilings and cabinetry; operate and maintain hand and power carpentry tools; read, interpret and work from blueprints, plans, drawings and specifications; recognize and select appropriate lumber types and grades; make rough sketches; estimate the cost, time and materials of carpentry projects; maintain records and retrieve data related to work performed using manual and/or computerized record-keeping systems

Preferred Qualifications:

• Six years of journey-level experience as a carpenter; a combination of experience and education leading to journey-level skill may be substituted for the experience requirement.
  
• Have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

To view the full position description, click “Position Description” above.

General Information:

• Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance and State Law.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• California State University Dominguez Hills is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas.
• The CSU system offers a competitive total compensation benefits package for employees and qualifying dependents, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and tuition assistance. It is our goal to compensate employees equitably and fairly. You can access a full description of our benefits here.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License is required. Employees in this position will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program.
• Employment is contingent upon the candidate passing a pre-employment physical exam with the ability to lift up in excess of 50 lbs.

Closing Statement

California State University, Dominguez Hills, is strongly committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce. Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the Human Resources Office at [phone].

California State University Dominguez Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

Employees at California State University, Dominguez Hills shall abide by the Nondiscrimination Statement.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.

Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.

Advertised: Sep 24 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Oct 12 2026 Pacific Daylight Time