Apprentice Painter

Job Description

Top Notch is looking for an Apprentice 1 Painter to join our team. The primary role of an Apprentice 1 Painter is to support Apprentice 2 and Journeyman painters to produce completed jobs. This position requires a self‑motivated individual who wants to maintain a vibrant painting/staining branch and grow with the company. The job does entail working outside, requires lifting 60 lbs.,

climbing ladders/heights, driving 1.5 hours one way to job sites, and dedication to completing the work and carrying through for both our clients and our employees. We promote a great team culture and applicants should be able to thrive working on a team or alone when necessary. As an employee‑owned company, we are looking for employees (not subcontractors) who want to stay long‑term and achieve higher‑responsibility roles.

It’s important to us that we recruit dedicated individuals into all roles, so the company remains strong over time.

Can Take Over for Lead for Short Periods

• The employee should be able to explain what tasks the crew lead is in charge of and how to track those tasks.
• Employee should work with crew lead to make sure job management and tracking is easy and accessible for the lead. Submitting the correct time when it is due, helping track how many hours are left on the contract, & reducing crew errors are all examples of lead support.
• Asks questions about how to improve their own work.
• Helps other coworkers when it is obvious they could use a hand.
• Is responsible for site conditions and doesn’t need to be constantly monitored to do the right thing.
• Break job into tasks, group into phases.
• Sequence phases: determine which must be completed before other tasks and which can be done immediately.
• Estimate task duration.
• Draw a diagram of timeline so it’s easy for crew to visualize.
• Critical path is the longest timeline with the most dependencies. Any delay there delays the whole project.
• Can explain when to use a log specific caulk, chink, or other type of sealant, depending on the need and the size of gap for application. (1/4”
  -3/4” gap use caulking and 3/4” or greater use chinking)
• Employee knows the order in which to apply Perma‑Chink & Sashco finishes based on manufacturer recommendations.
• The employee should be able to verify enough finish has been purchased based on the estimated square footage.
• Can cut & roll @ 250 sq ft/hour.
• Applies 2.5” wide horizontal chink & backer at 20 lf/hr.
• Can demo acrylic chink @ 17 lineal ft/hr & mortar chink @ 26 lf/hr.
• Caulking @ 80 lineal ft/hr
  - Rate for pre‑painting caulking of cracks and joints such as the gap between a base board and wall.
• Masking/Taping @ 130 Sqft/hr – The employee should be able to apply masking/tape at this rate.
• Brushing Log Walls @ 70 SqFt/Hr.

Understands Critical Path

Knows Which Product to Use &

How to Apply

Them

Meets Set Application Rates for Role

• Can identify obvious issues and how to correct them.
• Doesn’t blindly follow material list but can see if an obvious error was made and find the correct item to use.
• Can see if work begins to have errors and takes steps to correct problems.
• Can identify areas missed, debris in the paint, drips and splatter, lap marks, and if finish quality is even or splotchy.

• Trained on sprayer use. Knows:
  • What tip to use when spraying,
  • Correct mixture texture so not too thin or heavy for application,
  • How to mask for spraying, (covering where a different finish is being applied on certain surfaces, windows, doors, soffits, stairs, etc.)
  • When conditions don’t allow for spraying and preventing overspray (wind/weather conditions.).
• Cleans sprayer quickly and maintains it.

• Maintain consistent communication with clients regarding job status
  • Fostering relationships between clients, suppliers and vendors
  • Reinforce site conditions so clients understand we value their space

• Good attitude
• Motivated to work
• Shows up on time each day
• Looks for next task to do
• Follows through on tasks
• Supports other members in their work when they need it
• Encourages and doesn’t belittle others
• Holds themselves and others accountable to core value practices &…