Carpentry Fellow 2025-2026

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia |

Salary: $41,600 annually ($20/hour)
Reports directly to: Carpentry Fellowship Instructor
Department: Build; non-exempt
Hours: Full time (40 hrs/wk)
Term: One twelve (12)-month term
Work Week: Monday- Friday 7:30 am – 3:30 pm with expectation to work a Tuesday-Saturday schedule once quarterly
Required meetings: Monthly all- staff/departmental meetings, others as required
Driver’s License: Required

At Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia (“HFHP”), we are builders who work alongside, not for, others. We are driven by accountability and defined by our stick-to-itiveness. The BUILD Department directly improves the living conditions of low-income families by creating safe, healthy, affordable dwellings through the construction of new multi- and single-unit new housing, whole house rehab projects, and owner-occupied home repair work.

Position Overview

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s Carpentry Fellowship Program provides an opportunity to develop the foundational skills necessary to start a career in residential carpentry. Over the course of a 12-month term, Fellows will participate in a variety of classroom-based and hands-on training opportunities. Supplemental training in basic plumbing, electrical, and masonry – alongside some soft skills training and professional support. Additionally, Fellows will augment crew capacity on active HFHP construction sites, supporting staff carpenters as needed on a variety of projects including critical home repair, gut rehabs, and new home construction. This unique blend of training and on-site experience provides the foundational skills needed for a career in Carpentry and home building. See below for the expected breakdown of time spent and skills learned in the duration of this year-long program.

Training + Educational Opportunities

  • Internal curriculum – taught by a staff instructor
    • Framing and rough carpentry
    • Hand tools and power tools
    • Door and window installation
    • Insulation
    • Hanging and finishing drywall
    • Flooring and tiling
    • Painting
    • Trim and finish carpentry
    • Cabinetry installation
  • External Curriculum  
    • Fellows have the opportunity to get professional readiness support (e.g. financial literacy, digital literacy, job readiness, etc) through one of our local partners.   
  • Job Search Support
    • Office days to work on resumes, portfolios, cover letters, and job applications
    • Job fair and networking opportunities

On-site Labor & Responsibilities (40 hrs per week)

  • Perform home construction tasks on a range of residential construction projects including owner-occupied repair, gut renovations, and new construction
  • Purchase materials and gather tools and equipment; daily site prep and end-of-day clean up
  • Work alongside volunteers, lead construction tasks, monitor safety, create a positive work environment
  • Maintain a clean and safe construction site, follow site safety guidelines
  • Maintain a flexible and positive attitude; be willing and able take on duties as assigned 

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge & Skills

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Applicants must reside in the City of Philadelphia (191 zip codes)
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
  • A demonstrated interest in growing a career in the construction trades
  • Ability to commit to the work schedule and hours
  • Desire to build up communities and ability to work with diverse groups of people
  • Strong communication skills
  • Basic technical skills with email and apps
  • Ability to take constructive feedback

Physical Requirements to Perform Duties:

Ability to perform common construction tasks, such as: standing/working on feet for the majority of the day; lifting up to 50 lbs, climbing extension ladders and scaffolding; and working in unconditioned workspaces in the heat of summer and cold winter. Willingness to abide by CDC guidelines as required.

Benefits

Eligible for medical, dental, paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.

To Apply: Please send a resume, and cover letter through the application portal by October 27, 2024. No calls, please.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, familial status, source of income status, domestic or sexual abuse victim status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law in any employment-related decision, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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