Maintenance Mechanic - Lead Carpenter (non-permanent, 18-month assignment)

About Us

Seattle Colleges is a district of three distinct colleges—North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College—and five specialty training centers, making it the largest and most diverse community college district in Washington. The district is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of the community.

About the role

As a Maintenance Mechanic 2 with a carpentry focus, you will create and maintain safe, functional, accessible, and welcoming spaces for Seattle Central College students, employees, and visitors. Working with a high degree of independence, you will serve as the primary carpentry resource for the campus, handling projects involving framing, doors, windows, walls, ceilings, cabinetry, millwork, flooring, signage, and other building components, as well as broader maintenance, remodeling, and preventive‑maintenance tasks.

Responsibilities

• Perform journey‑level carpentry work to construct, remodel, maintain, and repair campus buildings, facilities, and interior and exterior spaces.
• Construct, install, modify, and repair building components such as framing, doors, windows, walls, ceilings, cabinetry, casework, millwork, trim, fixtures, signage, and related finishes.
• Install and repair flooring and surface materials, including resilient flooring, carpet, wood, tile, masonry, and cementitious products.
• Read and interpret blueprints, plans, specifications, sketches, diagrams, and work orders to determine project requirements, materials, methods, and sequencing.
• Evaluate maintenance and project needs, recommend solutions, and estimate labor, materials, equipment, and time needed.
• Safely operate and maintain hand tools, portable and stationary power tools, woodworking machinery, ladders, lifts, and other facilities‑maintenance equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on building components, fixtures, equipment, and facility systems.
• Perform skilled and semi‑skilled work in related trades, including glazing, flooring, painting, plumbing, electrical, welding, metal fabrication, masonry, and general mechanical maintenance.
• Coordinate assigned carpentry projects and provide technical guidance to assisting employees, communicating methods, sequencing tasks, promoting safe practices, and reviewing completed work for quality.
• Collaborate with Facilities staff, contractors, and campus departments to complete work safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to College programs and operations.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Four or more years of experience in building maintenance, construction, repair, or a skilled mechanical trade, with substantial professional carpentry experience; or completion of a recognized apprenticeship in carpentry or a closely related trade.
• Ability to perform journey‑level carpentry work independently.
• Knowledge of standard carpentry practices, methods, materials, tools, and equipment.
• Familiarity with lumber, engineered wood products, sheet materials, fasteners, hardware, flooring, finishes, and other construction materials.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints, construction plans, specifications, sketches, diagrams, and technical instructions.
• Skill in inspecting work, identifying repair needs, determining appropriate methods, and estimating labor, materials, equipment, and time.
• Competence in safely using, adjusting, and maintaining hand tools, power tools, woodworking machinery, and other facilities‑maintenance equipment.
• Ability to perform skilled or semi‑skilled work in related building‑maintenance trades.
• Understanding of occupational hazards and safety practices associated with construction, carpentry, powered equipment, and facilities maintenance.
• Capability to organize and coordinate projects, provide clear technical guidance, and review work for quality and compliance.
• Proficiency with computerized work‑order systems, email, and standard workplace technology.
• Effective communication skills and a responsive service orientation toward students, employees, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate as part of a facilities team.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities, and life experiences.
• Flexibility to respond to changing priorities and perform evening, weekend, or emergency work when required.

Physical Demands

• Operate hand tools, power tools, and motorized equipment.
• Exchange information with supervisors, leads, co‑workers, and students.
• Lift at least 50 lb and perform frequent walking, bending, twisting, stooping, squatting, kneeling, climbing, reaching, grasping, pushing, and pulling.
• Work throughout the campus in various weather conditions and typical noise environments.

Benefits

• Competitive pay rates
• Promotional opportunities
• Medical, dental, and retirement plans
• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Transportation benefits
• Tuition waivers
• PEBB wellness plan
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Professional development, committee, workgroup, and affinity‑group opportunities

Pay

Salary range: $55,512.00 to $72,816.00 annually.

Schedule

Full‑time, non‑permanent position (up to 18 months) with the possibility of transition to permanent status. Works 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, primarily 6 am – 2:30 pm. Position is 100 % on‑site.