Soft Craft Journeyman

brownandrootexternal; Illinois; On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown and Root External seeks a qualified Soft Craft Journeyman to perform skilled scaffolding, insulation, painting, abrasive blasting, fireproofing, and weatherproofing in support of industrial maintenance, construction, and turnarounds.

Responsibilities include erecting and inspecting scaffolds, installing insulation, applying coatings, and ensuring safety and quality in high-pressure environments with adherence to OSHA regulations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• 3-5 years of industrial soft craft experience.
• Demonstrated experience in industrial scaffolding and insulation.
• Experience in industrial painting, coatings, abrasive blasting, or fireproofing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, specifications, and work packages.
• Safely operate hand and power tools and specialty soft craft equipment.
• Safely erect, modify, inspect, and dismantle industrial scaffolding systems.
• Install insulation on piping, vessels, and industrial equipment and maintain coatings.
• Support outage, turnaround, and capital project activities.
• Comply with all safety requirements and participate in JSA and toolbox talks.

Skills

Industrial experience

Blueprint reading

Safety compliance

Fall protection

Quality and productivity

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary

The Soft Craft Journeyman performs skilled work involving industrial scaffolding, insulation, painting, abrasive blasting, fireproofing, weatherproofing, protective coatings, and other soft craft activities in support of industrial maintenance, construction, capital projects, shutdowns, and turnarounds. This position safely installs, repairs, maintains, and dismantles soft craft systems while meeting company, client, and regulatory requirements for safety, quality, and productivity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Scaffold Duties

• Erect, modify, inspect, and dismantle industrial scaffolding systems in accordance with OSHA regulations, company procedures, and engineering requirements.
• Construct supported, suspended, rolling, tube and clamp, frame, and system scaffolds.
• Install scaffold decking, platforms, ladders, guardrails, toe boards, stair towers, and access systems.
• Interpret scaffold drawings, engineered designs, and work packages.
• Inspect scaffold components for damage and ensure equipment is safe before use.
• Tag scaffolds in accordance with company and client procedures.
• Ensure scaffolds are erected on stable foundations and properly secured.
• Work at elevated heights using approved fall protection equipment.
• Assist with scaffold material handling, inventory, and storage.

Insulation Duties

• Install, repair, replace, and remove insulation on piping, vessels, tanks, boilers, exchangers, ductwork, turbines, and industrial equipment.
• Measure, fabricate, cut, and fit insulation materials including fiberglass, mineral wool, calcium silicate, foam glass, ceramic fiber, and removable insulation blankets.
• Install aluminum, stainless steel, PVC, and galvanized metal jacketing.
• Install weather barriers, vapor barriers, and moisture protection systems.
• Perform heat tracing support and insulation repairs as required.
• Read insulation drawings, specifications, and isometric diagrams.
• Inspect completed insulation systems for quality and specification compliance.

Industrial Coatings & Soft Craft Duties

• Perform abrasive blasting and surface preparation using approved equipment.
• Apply industrial coatings, primers, paints, epoxies, and protective linings.
• Install passive fireproofing systems.
• Perform weatherproofing and sealant applications.
• Prepare surfaces through cleaning, grinding, scraping, masking, and solvent wiping.
• Maintain coating equipment and ensure proper mixing and application of materials.

General Craft Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, specifications, and work packages.
• Safely operate hand tools, power tools, cutting equipment, and specialty soft craft equipment.
• Assist with material staging, loading, unloading, and inventory control.
• Perform preventive maintenance on assigned equipment.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas.
• Support outage, turnaround, and capital project activities.

Safety Responsibilities

• Comply with all company, client, OSHA, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Participate in Job Safety Analyses (JSA), pre-job briefings, and toolbox meetings.
• Follow permit-to-work requirements, including:
  • Hot Work
  • Confined Space Entry
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
  • Fall Protection
  • Respiratory Protection
• Properly inspect and use all personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Exercise Stop Work Authority when unsafe conditions are identified.
• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, incidents, and injuries immediately.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of industrial soft craft experience.
• Demonstrated experience in industrial scaffolding and insulation required.
• Experience in industrial painting, coatings, abrasive blasting, or fireproofing preferred.
• Experience working in refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical plants, power generation facilities, or heavy industrial construction.

Required Skills

• Ability to erect and dismantle industrial scaffolding safely.
• Knowledge of scaffold load capacities and OSHA scaffold regulations.
• Ability to fabricate and install industrial insulation systems.
• Experience reading blueprints, scaffold drawings, and isometric drawings.
• Ability to safely work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and measuring equipment.
• Knowledge of industrial coatings and surface preparation methods.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and productivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• NCCER Scaffold Builder Certification.
• NCCER Insulator Certification.
• OSHA 10-Hour or OSHA 30-Hour Certification.
• TWIC Card (if required by client).
• First Aid/CPR Certification.
• Scaffold Competent Person training preferred.
• Experience supporting industrial shutdowns and turnarounds.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolds, towers, and elevated structures.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, kneel, bend, stoop, and work overhead for extended periods.
• Ability to work in confined spaces, elevated work areas, and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including:
  • Hard Hat
  • Safety Glasses
  • Steel-Toe Boots
  • Fall Protection Equipment
  • Hearing Protection
  • Respiratory Protection
  • FR Clothing (when required)