Building Construction Assistant

The Building Construction Work-Study Assistant supports the Building Construction program chair and faculty in maintaining a safe, organized, and effective laboratory learning environment. This position provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in building construction while developing skills in organization, equipment and facility maintenance, workplace safety, and professional responsibility.
The student will assist with routine organization, maintenance, and minor repairs within Building Construction instructional labs and will help monitor laboratory activities to promote compliance with established safety procedures and college policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Laboratory Organization and Maintenance

• Assist the program chair and faculty with organizing and maintaining Building Construction laboratory spaces.
• Help maintain clean, orderly, and safe work areas before, during, and after laboratory activities.
• Organize tools, equipment, materials, and supplies to ensure they are properly stored and readily accessible.
• Assist with inventorying tools, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Identify damaged, missing, or malfunctioning tools and equipment and report concerns to the program chair or appropriate faculty member.
• Assist with routine maintenance and minor repairs to laboratory spaces, fixtures, equipment, and instructional projects as directed and within the student's level of training and competency.
• Assist with preparing laboratory spaces and materials for classes, demonstrations, and student projects.
• Help with the setup and breakdown of instructional activities and projects.

Safety Support

• Help promote a safe laboratory environment by observing student activities and reinforcing established safety expectations.
• Assist faculty and the program chair in ensuring students are using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Help ensure tools, equipment, work areas, and materials are being used in accordance with established safety procedures.
• Report unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, accidents, or safety violations to the program chair or faculty member.
• Assist with maintaining clear walkways, appropriate material storage, and properly maintained work areas.
• Support the program's safety culture by modeling appropriate workplace safety practices.

Program Support

• Assist the program chair and faculty with special projects and activities related to the Building Construction program.
• Help prepare laboratories and instructional areas for tours, demonstrations, community events, advisory committee activities, and other program activities.
• Assist with moving and organizing construction materials and equipment when appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the program chair.

Required Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled as a student at the college.
• Must be eligible for student employment and/or Federal Work-Study funding.
• Demonstrated interest in Building Construction, Construction Technology, or a related field.
• Ability to safely use common hand and power tools appropriate to the student's training and experience.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work independently while also taking direction from faculty and program leadership.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and fellow students.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and professional laboratory environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous coursework or experience in building construction, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or a related construction field.
• Prior experience working with hand tools and power tools.
• Previous construction, maintenance, or skilled-trades experience.
• Familiarity with basic workplace safety practices and PPE.
• Previous work-study, student employment, or laboratory assistant experience.

Physical Requirements

The position may require the student to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Lift and carry tools, materials, and equipment appropriate to the student's capabilities.
• Bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and work in various positions.
• Work in a laboratory or construction environment where exposure to dust, noise, temperature variations, and common construction materials may occur.
• Safely operate tools and equipment for which the student has received appropriate training and authorization.

Work Schedule

The position is available for up to 20 hours per week, with the actual number of hours determined by the student's financial aid/work-study eligibility, program needs, and mutually agreed-upon schedule.

Work hours will generally be scheduled during the college's normal operating hours and may be coordinated around the student's class schedule.

Supervision

The Building Construction Work-Study Assistant works under the direction of the Building Construction Program Chair, Ike Gonzales, and, as appropriate, Building Construction faculty. The student is expected to follow all college policies, laboratory procedures, safety requirements, and instructions provided by faculty and program leadership.

Important: This position does not replace the responsibility of faculty or college staff for laboratory supervision, safety enforcement, or instruction. The Work-Study Assistant serves in a supporting role and is expected to immediately report safety concerns or other significant issues to the appropriate faculty member or program chair.

Ivy Tech Community College is an accredited, equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or veteran status. As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Ivy Tech Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions specific to Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator or to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.