Technical Trades Crew Leader

University of Texas; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability

Paid vacation, sick time, holidays

TRS retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Libraries and museums access

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's University Unions seeks a Technical Trades Crew Leader to provide shop and job-site leadership, direction, and journey-level carpentry skills for repair projects and events. You will lead a crew of Mechanical Technicians and coordinate with contractors to ensure timely completion.

This role requires strong safety practices, the ability to read drawings and specifications, and experience guiding teams on campus renovations.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Three years of journey-level carpentry experience.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings and specs.
• Experience leading a crew and enforcing safety protocols.
• Ability to complete projects with assistance.
• Background check and strength and agility test required.
• Five+ years in HVAC/electrical trades and related project work (preferred).
• Experience supporting campus events (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead and work with staff on renovation, repair, and construction projects per documents and schedules.
• Provide support to building events.
• Direct a team of Mechanical Technicians and offer guidance at jobsites.
• Motivate workers to meet production and quality standards.
• Maintain high standards for employee conduct and safety.
• Lead the shop in the supervisor's absence and manage daily operations.

Skills

Carpentry

Leadership

Safety protocols

Reading drawings/specs

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Shop tools

Job description

Job Details

Job Posting Title: Technical Trades Crew Leader

Hiring Department: University Unions

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Sep 21, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

The University of Texas at Austin's University Unions team seeks an individual to serve as Crew Leader in the Maintenance Shop. What sets you apart when you join University Unions? As a Longhorn, you'll be working for a globally recognized university. Your work will make a difference in the lives of faculty, staff, and of course, our students! During your time on campus, you will contribute to programs, organizations, and activities that help our students develop a sense of community and provide valuable leadership and career readiness skills that they will carry with them throughout their professional and personal lives.

Benefits

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through Linkedln Learning
• Staff tuition assistance once eligible
• Expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses

Purpose

The Technical Trades Crew Leader provides shop and job-site leadership, direction, technical expertise, and journey-level skills in support of University Unions repair projects, and special events. The Technical Trades Crew Leader also leads the shop in the absence of the supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Lead and work with staff in support of facility renovation, repair, and construction projects in compliance with project documents and schedules.
• Provide support to building events.
• Perform trade duties and provide jobsite direction and expertise to a team of Mechanical Technicians.
• Motivate workers to meet production and quality standards.
• Maintain high standards for employee conduct.
• Lead shop in absence of supervisor, including daily shop operation and crew assignments.
• Assist with processing of shop written and electronic documentation, including material requisitions, time sheets, and daily labor reports.
• Assist workers in solving work related problems at jobsites.
• Emphasize accountability for meeting schedule commitments.
• Promote and maintain frequent communications and positive relations with clients, project managers and building supervisors.
• Promote teamwork within the shop, and in partnership with other building departments.
• Coordinate with contractors to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Promote and provide training across shop trades and skills.
• Practice and promote the values and goals of the university and the hiring department.
• Enforce policies and procedures.
• Promote and maintain a robust shop safety program, including training of personnel, use of personal protective equipment, shop and jobsite cleanliness, and compliance with published policies and procedures for safe operation of shop equipment and vehicles.
• Ensure appropriate handling of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead, mold and silica.
• Support and promote university safety procedure.
• Lead by example in maintenance and operation of shop.
• Clean, sharpen, and adjust tools.
• Maintain and properly secure shop, tools, equipment, and vehicles.
• Assist with annual shop vehicle and equipment inventory.
• Promote and maintain a clean and safe work environment in shop and at jobsites.
• Read, understand, and work from sketches, drawings, specifications, standards, or verbal instructions, with or without direct supervision.
• Inspect completed work for quality and ensure projects are executed in accordance with project requirements and campus standards.
• Respond to building emergencies, when needed, and direct associated shop support, as required.
• Some overtime work required.
• Drive UT vehicle to transport personnel, materials, and equipment to and from buildings and in support of University Unions special events.
• Attend management-directed meetings and training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Three years of journey-level experience in the carpentry trade, including experience in all phases of construction.
• Demonstrated ability to produce quality work from drawings, specifications, construction standards, or written-verbal-instructions, with or without direct supervision.
• Ability to complete projects, with assistance.
• Demonstrated experience leading a work crew or team in execution of assigned work.
• Proven track record of following safety protocols.
• The selected candidate will be required to pass a background check and strength and agility test as a condition of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of journey-level experience in the HVAC and or electrical trade, including experience in all phases of construction.
• Experience executing door & hardware projects.
• Experience in cabinetmaking, including design and project planning.
• Proven ability to work as a team member and lead teams in support of facility renovation and repair projects, including quality control and timely delivery of work performed.
• Experience supporting campus events.
• Experience working in a large university or comparable commercial or industrial physical plant.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Driving Requirement

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The selected candidate must provide a current three-year driving record from the current state of residence. (Texas driving history will be confirmed online during selection process). Applicant must provide out-of-state driving history, if previously licensed in another state. If not currently a Texas resident, must obtain a Texas Driver License within 30 days after entering Texas as a new resident.

Salary

$62,000 + depending on qualifications.

Required Materials

Resume/CV 3 work references; at least one reference should be from a current or former supervisor.

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

About the University

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Contact Information

Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone].

Other Note

UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus.