Occ. Code 7002000
CARPENTER, GRADE 12
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
NATURE OF WORK
Carpenters perform journey-level carpentry work and frequently supervise others in the construction and repair of structures and other wood items. This trade is the most generalized branch of the building trades encompassing several specialties in addition to carpentry including roofing, millwork, furniture construction, furniture finishing and repair, and cabinet work. In addition, incumbents may install and adjust door and building hardware including locks, door closures, door knobs, hinges, door checks, sash fittings and other lockwork activities as required.
Carpenters are employed by many agencies with the greatest number of positions in the Department of Mental Hygiene, the State University System, the Office of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
A Carpenter, working from verbal or written descriptions or from drawings or sketches may design, or plan layout and construct a variety of structures, buildings, furniture, equipment and millwork using wood and sometimes plastics, aluminum and other materials.
A Carpenter frequently supervises others in this work including Carpenters, Maintenance Assistants, Maintenance Helpers, and sometimes other specialties such as painters and masons. Incumbents may work with, lead, and provide practical trades instruction to State wards or those assigned to secure work experience.
In a maintenance shop where carpentry activities are being performed by several employees, a typical organization contains one journey level position for two or three semiskilled or elementary skilled maintenance employees. In an agency such as the Department of Correctional Services, where inmates or residents perform some carpentry tasks, a Carpenter may be responsible for the work of a group of such individuals.
Supervising Carpenters supervise large scale carpentry operations involving ten or more skilled, semiskilled, or relatively unskilled maintenance personnel. Such personnel may include those engaged in trades other than carpentry.
General Mechanics may also perform journey-level carpentry activities. However, such positions are classified only where incumbents must be skilled in more than one trade.
In many State facilities, Vocational Instructors specializing in carpentry formally instruct inmates and/or residents in the theory and practice of the trade.
Maintenance Helpers assigned to building maintenance assist skilled trades workers in construction and repair work performing the heavier less difficult and repetitive activities involving elementary skills while learning the trade.
A Maintenance Assistant (Carpenter) as a semiskilled employee performs many of the manual tasks of the carpentry trade but generally is not required to plan and lay out structural alterations or construction or to do work involving the planning or design of furniture although the Maintenance Assistant may build or repair such items on a repetitive basis. Incumbents may perform journey-level activities and tasks under supervision or after receiving detailed instructions.
Employees engaged in other building and maintenance trades are classified under a variety of other commonly used titles descriptive of their work, i.e., Electrician, Plumber and Steamfitter.
TYPICAL ACTIVITIES, TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS
As directed, builds, repairs and installs such items as counters, cabinets, benches, partitions, floors, doors, windows, building framework, roofs, and trim following verbal or written instructions utilizing the tools of the carpentry trade and following standard carpentry techniques. Carpenters may be required to work with a variety of materials in addition to wood including but not limited to sheet metal, plastics, or aluminum.
Installs and repairs ceiling and floor tiles.
Does general millwork; may build cabinets, furniture, and other wooden equipment in the shop using woodworking machines.
Maintains shop machinery.
May keep inventory and control of the distribution of carpentry tools and equipment and maintain such equipment.
May conduct inspections of the facility to determine maintenance needs and recommend priorities for repair based on the nature of the maintenance problem.
As assigned, Carpenters supervise and instruct others in the construction and repair of structures and other wooden items.
- Assigns work to a maintenance staff.
- As required may draw rough sketches or prepare plans to scale from verbal or written instructions to accomplish a project.
- From plans, may recommend to supervisor and order the kind, quantity, and quality of materials to be used.
- Assembles materials, tools, and equipment required to accomplish the work according to plan.
- Lays out the work for the staff and performs such skilled tasks as laying out the cutting of roof trusses and stairs, hanging doors, and installing hardware.
- As required, gives verbal instruction and/or demonstrates proper carpentry techniques and the use of carpentry tools and equipment.
- Observes and inspects the work while in progress and when completed to insure that the job is done properly.
- When supervising wards of the State, Carpenters must be aware of and account for their activities at all times while on the job, and that the rules and regulations of the facility governing such activities are followed.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
The nature of a Carpenter's activity generally restricts relationships to employees working within the same organizational unit including skilled trades workers in other trades. On occasion, however, incumbents may be expected to verbally communicate with administrators and others in an agency or State facility on the reasons why work is being accomplished in the manner selected.
Typically, Carpenters supervise a maintenance crew which may include State wards. Such relationships are characterized by frequent verbal communications in assigning work and providing instructions. Written and verbal communications with the general public are not typical of this class. Although incumbents may have frequent verbal relationships with others, the tasks of this class are predominantly thing oriented and the involvement with others is not a factor in determining its classification.
NATURE OF SUPERVISION
Carpenters are supervised by higher level building trades positions such as Supervising Carpenter, Maintenance Supervisor 1 or Maintenance Supervisor 2. Generally, work priorities and the nature and extent of the work to be performed are prescribed and material is furnished. Detailed plans and drawings may be provided. However, in the absence of such direction, the Carpenter sets priorities, requisitions materials, determines the work that has to be done and lays out the work, frequently from rough sketches or from verbal instructions.
Although the work of Carpenters is inspected periodically by the supervisor, incumbents are expected to work with considerable independence as is typical of a skilled trades worker.
As assigned, a Carpenter will supervise other trades positions including Carpenters and subordinate maintenance employees and/or State wards in making assignments, giving instructions and observing and inspecting work performed to insure that instructions have been followed and that the quality of the work is satisfactory. On a specific project a Carpenter may supervise journey-level workers in other trades.
MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Carpenters use the tools of the carpentry trade, including hand tools such as hammers, saws and chisels, portable power tools, shop equipment and standard measuring instruments such as rulers, squares and levels. There are over 100 such tools used by Carpenters.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Working knowledge of carpentry techniques.
- Working knowledge of the math of the carpentry trade.
- As assigned, working knowledge of the rules and regulations of the facility governing the activities of State wards under the supervision of a Carpenter.
- Ability to plan, lay out and complete varied carpentry work.
- Ability to read blueprints and interpret building and furniture plans.
- Ability to use the tools, machines, equipment and materials of the carpentry trade.
- Ability to make standard arithmetic computations to size and locate the various details of the work, and to calculate the quantity of material and labor required for it.
- Ability to perform the physical tasks required of a Carpenter.
- Ability to understand and carry out written and verbal instructions.
- As assigned, ability to supervise and train others.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Carpenter Trainee 1, NS: Must be 18 years of age or older; possess a High School diploma or general equivalency diploma recognized by the New York State Education Department; be proficient in English and math; and full-time permanent service in a position allocated at Grade 12 or below which is primarily engaged in the performance of unskilled and/or semiskilled labor and trades tasks.
Carpenter Trainee 2, NS: Successful completion of a 52-week probationary period as a Carpenter Trainee 1, NS; completion of 45 hours of Technical Math coursework and 15 hours of Blueprint Reading/Schematics coursework or passage of an equivalency exam or proof of successful completion of equivalent training; 144 hours of carpentry trade-specific instruction; and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Trainees must maintain a C or better average in their coursework.
Carpenter, Grade 12: Successful completion of a NYS two-year Carpenter Traineeship or NYS two-year carpenter training program; OR successful completion of any equivalent carpenter two-year training or apprenticeship program;* OR four (4) years of full-time experience in carpentry under a skilled journey-level carpenter which would provide training equivalent to that given in an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship training in carpentry or training gained by completion of technical courses in carpentry at a school, institute, or branch of the Armed Services may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
Revised: 4/09
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.