Paint Shop Lead

Caltech; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltech is seeking a Lead Painter to supervise journey-level painters, prepare surfaces, and apply finishes across various materials. You will coordinate with staff, vendors, and supervisors to ensure timely project completion while maintaining safety and quality standards.

The role requires extensive journeyman experience, strong communication, and the ability to work independently, with flexibility for shifts and overtimes as needed in a dynamic campus environment.

Qualifications

• High School graduate or equivalent required.
• Eight years journeyman level experience in the Painters trade.
• Ability to operate painting tools and materials.
• Professional communication with Caltech community.
• MS Word, Excel, MS Project, and Outlook proficiency.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments.
• Knowledge of applicable codes, standards and regulation.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work outdoors in all weather.

Responsibilities

• Lead journeyman painters and helpers, coordinating tasks.
• Maintain time, payroll, and material records.
• Inspect work for quality and timely completion.
• Ensure safety with MSDS guidance and PPE compliance.
• Plan shop work with Facilities Management.
• Provide written and oral reports.
• Attend scheduling meetings and manage downtime.

Skills

Communication

Safety awareness

Adaptability

Education

High School diploma

Tools

AssetWorks AiM

Kronos

Blueprints

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Under minimum supervision of the Supervisor of the Caltech Paint Shop, the lead Painter leads the work of journey level Painter and Trades and participates in repair, maintenance, and inspection of journey level crafts projects. Prepares surfaces of all types of painting materials such as varnish, lacquer, enamel, latex, epoxy, water-proofing, and heat-resistant finishes. Utilizes enhanced finishing skills when appropriate.

Job Duties

• The position will be a highly motivated and a self-starter with excellent communication and organizational skills that will allow them to work directly with Campus staff, faculty, outside vendors, and Supervisors in an effort to complete assigned tasks.
• Maintains time, payroll, and material records and submits reports.
• Assigns and inspects the work of painters and helpers, initiates corrective action to secure satisfactory standards and timely project completion.
• Participates in analysis’ of project health and environment hazards as stated on legally required manufacturers Materials Safety Data Sheets to ensure application of material as appropriate to area of installation.
• Work closely with the Facilities Planning shop to ensure shop work is planned and scheduled in accordance with Facilities Management established business processes.
• Assure compliance with applicable building codes and Caltech Design Guidelines.
• Manage Caltech resources for optimum productivity.
• Enforce adherence to campus fire and life safety procedures, including confined space, lock-out & tag-out, use of PPE, and so forth.
• Perform and maintain up-to-date records for all safety inspections, tests, maintenance, and repairs.
• Provide accurate written and oral reports.
• Perform day-to-day shop leadership responsibilities in the absence of the supervisor, examples include reviewing and approving of timecards, scheduling shop technician work orders and attending scheduling meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• High School graduate or equivalent required.
• Eight years journeyman level experience in the Painters trade.
• Ability to correctly and skillfully operate the various tools, equipment, and material common to the trade.
• Communicate professionally with the members of the Caltech community in all situations. Must maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Software proficiency in MS Word, Excel, MS Project, and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments.
• Knowledge of all applicable codes, standards and regulation.
• Knowledge of all hazardous material handling safety procedures and scaffold safety.
• Skill in repair and maintenance of painting assignments common to the trade.
• Skill in estimating material and labor requirements to accomplish task.
• Ability to work various shifts as well as overtime and weekends.
• Must have a valid driver’s license at the time of employment and be able to maintain it throughout the course of employment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are required. Must be able to use correct punctuation, vocabulary, spelling, and sentence structure. Follow written instructions.
• Must be in good health with the physical strength and agility to lift up to 50 pounds on a daily basis, bend in all directions, climb stairs and ladders, squeeze with arms and hands, operate machinery using hands, and work outdoors in all kinds of weather.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with AssetWorks AiM and Kronos or similar preventive maintenance and timekeeping software is a plus.
• Strong teamwork, project management and problem resolution skills.
• Reads and works from Blueprints.
• Keep Record Logs for AQM.

Required Documents

• Resume.

Hiring Range

$37.50 - $45.00 Per Hour

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of a job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at