New York State Department of Civil Service

Division of Classification & Compensation

Occ. Code 7120180

Trades Specialist (Upholstery), Grade 12

Brief Description of Class

Trades Specialists (Upholstery) repair and replace upholstery on furniture and other articles, repair furniture and mattresses, and make other items out of fabric, such as cushions, pillows, awnings, drapes, tents, and stage properties and scenery.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Trades Specialist (Upholstery): non-competitive; independently performs journey-level upholstery work, including planning and laying out working details; and may be in charge of a small upholstery shop.

A Trades Specialist (Upholstery) may supervise others in this work, including semiskilled and unskilled workers.

Related Classes

Maintenance Assistants perform semiskilled maintenance and repair work on structures and equipment, including furniture and upholstery.

Conservators repair and conserve historic fabrics, furniture, decorative objects, artwork, and other artifacts; and document their condition, and the repair and conservation work performed. Their work requires specialized education and training.

Illustrative Tasks

Determines condition and repair work needed.

Strips furniture to frames.

Arranges and secures springs, padding, and covering materials to frames.

Makes patterns, lays out, cuts, and sews covering materials.

Applies decorative treatments.

Determines quantity of fabric needed, and orders fabrics and other supplies.

Constructs and repairs mattresses, pillows, truck seats, cushions, slipcovers, and other objects.

Measures windows and lays out, cuts, and fabricates draperies, awnings, shades, venetian blinds, and other window and decorative treatments.

Fabricates scenery and stage props for entertainment productions.

Lays carpets, linoleum, and rugs and makes repairs to materials in place.

Repairs, refinishes, and polishes exposed woodwork and metal frames.

May supervise unskilled and semiskilled staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Non-competitive: four years of full-time experience in upholstering under a skilled tradesperson which would provide training equivalent to that given in a training, apprenticeship, or equivalent program; or an equivalent combination of experience and training gained by completion of technical courses in upholstering at a school, institute, or branch of the Armed Services.

When required to operate motor vehicles, candidates must possess a valid New York State driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated.

Note: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.

9/2020