Job Listing
 🔗Historic Restoration Woodworker

  • Full Time
  • Chicago, IL
  • $22.00 - $32.00/- USD / Hour
  • Job Summary: We are looking for a skilled woodworker with a genuine appreciation for historic architectural restoration to join our company. The right person will have woodworking competency and be eager to develop your potential in a restoration context.
  • Job Qualifications:
    • 2–5 years of experience in carpentry, woodworking, furniture restoration, or a closely related trade in which the following skills and abilities have been acquired.
    • Safe, and efficient facility with hand tools: chisels, hand planes, mallets, hand saws, cabinet scrapers, marking tools, and the like.  Ability to sharpen and maintain hand tools.
    • Safe, and efficient facility with shop machinery: table saw, miter saw, router (freehand and table), planer and jointer, belt sander, scroll saw, and band saw.
    • Ability to combine router bits and use table saw to reproduce short runs of vintage profiles.
      Ability to take accurate measurements and work to reasonable tolerances.
    • Basic understanding of wood species, grain behavior, and joinery.
      Reliability, punctuality, and ability to work both independently and in coordination with other crafts persons.
    • Rather than mindless engagement in tasks, the ability to maintain engaged thoughtfulness to think creatively about ways to restore elements in period context.
    • An attitude and ability to integrate structural soundness and functional ease with aesthetic richness.  For instance, you understand that a well-restored window is not just operational but beautiful, and that these qualities are inseparable.
    • Independent means of transportation and the ability to sustain reliable daily commute to both the shop in the South Shore neighborhood and to job sites across the metro area is essential and non-negotiable — please assess this honestly before applying.
      Provide and maintain own hand tools.  (Some specialty tools will be provided.)
    • Ability to work discreetly onsite, understanding you are privileged to be invited into client’s homes.
  • How to Apply:

    See website or contact Jeff Ediger at jediger@oakbrothers.net for a full job description and application requirements.

  • Job benefits: Paid time off, Cell phone reimbursement, Sick leave
  • Physical Demands / Work Environment: Must be able to lift and carry materials and objects up to 60 pounds.
  • Contact Name: Jeff Ediger
  • Application Email: jediger@oakbrothers.net
  • Application Address: Shop located in South Shore neighborhood of Chicago(60649)

Website Oak Brothers Historic Restoration, LLC

We are a small, but growing Chicago-area shop specializing in the restoration and period-appropriate enhancement of transitional (windows and doors) and interior elements in historic residential architecture. As our 5-star Google reviews attest (please read), we have built a strong reputation for doing high quality work with integrity and care in a relational approach with our clients. While wood window and door restoration have been our "bread-and-butter" services, we continue to expand our scope to take on a broader range of projects, especially ones with a strong orientation towards aesthetic enhancement. Respectful and creative commitment to three fundamental principles guides our work: • Preservation and enhancement of architectural integrity. • Integrate structural soundness and functional ease with aesthetic richness. . Preserve and enhance the desirable effects of aging.

  • Assess, repair, and restore historic wood windows including sash, frames, sills, muntins, and glazing components.
  • Repair and restore historic wood doors, thresholds, casing, and associated hardware.
  • Fabricate replacement components to match existing profiles using both machine and hand tools.
  • Repair and restore other interior architectural elements, including built-in cabinets, fireplace surrounds, staircases, wood trim, pillars, wall paneling, and other interior elements.
  • Understand and have the capacity to make scarf repairs, replacement pieces, re-build wood joints (including mortise-and-tenon joints) and both repair and replace wood veneer.
  • Apply appropriate wood consolidates, fillers, adhesives, bleaches, and finishes in a workmanlike manner.
  • Maintain consistency, quality, and economy while doing repetitive procedures over an extended period.
  • Prep. and apply painted, stained, and clear finishes.
  • Transport tools and materials to and from job sites; maintain a clean and organized work environment.
  • Communicate clearly and respectfully with the owner, co-workers, and with clients on site.Handle and store tools and equipment with care.
    Develop an understanding of and have a willingness to follow personal protection procedures and wear protective equipment when working with toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials (such as lead paint).

Maintain a commitment to building your own skills in and understanding of preservation and restoration, recognizing that increased capacity not only enhances self-worth but also results in increased compensation.

Benefits

All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.

Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.

The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.

The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.

Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.

How to Apply

You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.

Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.

Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.

Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!



Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.