Construction Carpenters

About the job

Construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenter’s hand tools and power tools.

What you'll do

• Apply shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative paneling to ceilings or walls.
• Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas, such as heating or electrical wiring work.
• Construct forms or chutes for pouring concrete.
• Cover subfloors with building paper to keep out moisture and lay hardwood, parquet, or wood-strip-block floors by nailing floors to subfloor or cementing them to mastic or asphalt base.
• Fill cracks or other defects in plaster or plasterboard and sand patch, using patching plaster, trowel, and sanding tool.
• Maintain records, document actions, and present written progress reports.
• Perform minor plumbing, welding, or concrete mixing work.
• Prepare cost estimates for clients or employers.
• Select and order lumber or other required materials.
• Work with or remove hazardous material.

Things you need to know

• Building and Construction – Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Mathematics – Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Production and Processing – Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Design – Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Abilities you'll need to have

• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Operation Monitoring – Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Equipment Selection – Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Mathematics – Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.