Painter

The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago seeks a commercially trained journeyman painter to maintain and prepare wall surfaces for installer options. You will tape joints on gallery walls and finish artwork cases on-site to support exhibitions.

Responsibilities include applying paints and finishes, glazing, color matching, and safe operation of spray equipment while adhering to OSHA standards and team protocols.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years of verifiable related work experience.
• Completion of painter’s apprenticeship program.
• Must have safety training including OSHA-related topics.
• Knowledge of painting methods, materials and color matching.
• Ability to work in a diverse and inclusive atmosphere.

Responsibilities

• Mixes, matches and applies paints, stains, varnishes & faux finishes to surfaces.
• Scrapes, sands, primes or seals surfaces prior to painting.
• Maintains surface appearances by washing walls and doors as needed.
• Calculates material quantities for projects.
• Fills cracks and joints with caulk and fillers using caulking guns and putty knives.
• Erects ladders or lifts to access areas and moves equipment as needed.
• Removes fixtures prior to painting and masks areas as required.
• Cleans brushes, rollers and spray guns and uses spray equipment.

Skills

Painting

Taping

Staining

Safety training

Ladder and Aerial Lift

Concrete patching

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Painter’s apprenticeship program

Tools

Caulking tools

Putty knives

Spray guns

Paint mixing tools

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About the Department

The Department of Facilities and Logistics is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the museum facilities and for non-art related operations and logistics. Functions in the department include Buildings and Grounds, Carpentry, Painting, Engineering, Mail Center, and Warehouse Logistics and Fulfillment.

Position Summary

The position is responsible for painting, taping, and staining a variety of surfaces in a professional manner. Skill sets include, but are not limited to, seal joints between wood, plasterboard, and other wallboard materials to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering. NOTE; this position is for a commercially trained journeyman painter, rather than fine art studio techniques. Our gallery walls are not drywall, they are made of ½” plywood but must be taped as though it was drywall. The purpose is to give the art installers options as to where they can hang artwork. We also build and finish artwork cases and platforms on-site so advanced patching and taping skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Mixes, matches and applies paints, stains, varnishes & faux finish glazes to various surfaces.
• Scrapes, sands, primes or seals surfaces prior to painting.
• Maintains surface appearances by washing them when needed (walls, doors etc.).
• Reasonably calculates amounts of required materials for projects.
• Fills cracks, holes, and joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns, putty knives and or taping tools.
• Erects ladders, scaffolding and or scissor lifts to gain access to difficult areas.
• Moves furniture and equipment as necessary.
• Removes fixtures such as pictures, lamps, and electric switch covers prior to painting.
• Masks off areas and or cover with plastic, paper or drop cloths when needed.
• Removes paint splatters where needed.
• Properly cleans up and maintains all equipment including brushes, rollers and spray guns.
• Utilizes spray guns such as airless and HVLP.
• Keeps updated on required online training referred to as Bridge training.
• Adheres to all safety protocols.
• Ability to pass an annual half-mask respirator fit test and maintain a proper facepiece seal in accordance with OSHA standards.
• Great attention to detail of the finished products.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years of verifiable related work experience.
• Demonstrated ability and skill, typically achieved through painter’s apprenticeship program.
• Successful completion of safety training virtually or in person, including, but not limited to: Asbestos Awareness, Hazard Communications, Fire Safety/Extinguisher Use, Personal Protective Equipment, Machine Guarding, Ladder and Aerial Lift, Lock Out-Tag Out, Back Injury Prevention, Hearing Conservation, and Hand and Power Tool Safety (we frequently perform online training to keep this up to date).
• Must have general knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and equipment used in painting.
• Knowledge of mixing and matching colors and types of paint.
• Ability to follow procedures, instructions, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to work in a diverse and inclusive atmosphere.
• Have a good disposition for teamwork and open communication for safety and professionalism.

Physical Requirements

• Periodic lifting and moving 50 lbs. with or without team/mechanical assistance.
• Frequent walking, squatting, and kneeling.
• Stretching and reaching overhead and below the waist.
• Elevated work; work on ladders and scissor lifts to reach high ceilings or walls.
• Climbing stairs, scaffolding and extension ladders.
• Using/wearing Personal Protective Equipment as required including, but not limited to, respirators, protective footwear and eyewear.

Union

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail] .

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.