Job Specification
Position Title:
Cabinet Maker/Wood Worker/Finishing Technician
Job Code:
94033 - Exhibit Fabricator 2
Purpose of Position :
To prototype, custom build/finish, repair, maintain, install/take down exhibits, displays, structures, models and furniture for exhibition purposes.
Duties / Responsibilities :
Under the general supervision of the Manager, Exhibit Fabrication and Woodshop Group Leader, position is responsible for the following:
1. (90%) Prototypes, custom builds/finishes, installs/takes down, services and repairs static displays, structures (exhibit housing) and furniture for exhibitions by:
- participating with other production/fabrication shop personnel (Electrical, Metal, Electronics, Graphics Production)on prototype project teams led by Prototype Developer or Shop Coordinator to build and/or troubleshoot structural problems with prototypes (functional working mock-ups of exhibits);
- studying and interpreting blueprints/detailing, design sketches, instructions from Exhibit Designers, determining manufacturing method(s) to complete own assignments in accordance with accepted cabinet maker/woodworker trade practices and local/provincial regulations, standards and codes to produce one-of-a-kind exhibits, models, structures (e.g. curved theatre in Human Body Hall), furniture (e.g. custom built seating) to design specifications;
- interpreting blueprints and diagrams to plan and coordinate work sequences with other shops (multidisciplinary team approach); to prepare sketches, calculate/verify measurements by hand or using computerized CAD and CNC equipment for layout; creating layouts to full scale when assignment demands; commenting (independently, or in consultation with Group Leader) on merits and feasibility of Exhibit Designer's ideas from a fabrication perspective;
- resolving shop related fabrication problems on own, referring unresolved problems to designer and/or supervisor with recommendations e.g. design modifications, materials, finishes or manufacturing methods;
- estimating material and time required to complete own work; requisitioning manufacturing and maintenance materials, parts, tools as well as specialized equipment as necessary, keeping records of materials, methods used, time spent for future reference or for contribution to technical (service) manuals;
- operating a wide range of portable and air-driven power tools, hand tools and equipment including table saws, lathes, jointers, thickness planers, overhead routers, shapers, band saws, sanders, etc. and building materials such as adhesives, screws, nails, clamp nails, brackets, bolts and machine screws, related specialty hardware, scrappers, sanding blocks, rubbing compounds to cut, shape, bend, mold, sand, polish, fit and assemble static exhibit components using wood, wood products, acrylic, plastics, glass, fiberglass, plastic laminate, floor tile, carpet, upholstery fabric and drywall;
- working with laminations involving use of wood, wood veneer, steel, formica, plexiglass, etc. in various combinations using epoxy adhesives, clamps and, occasionally, making special molds and forms
- preparing wood and plastic surfaces (exhibits, exhibit areas/walls, other objects) for creative finishes e.g. washing, priming, filling, sanding, masking surfaces not to be painted; mixing paint, colours and materials for application and applying protective/decorative finishes e.g. fireproof coatings and/or varnish, paint, lacquers, bleach, stain, enamels, acid etches on metal surfaces, etc. using painting spray booth or on location
- fitting and securing hardware such as handles, hinges, locks, metal framing and brackets
- installing and taking down exhibits on-site and, as required, off-site (nationally and internationally) for International Sales clients who have leased or purchased Centre exhibits;
- servicing and repairing exhibits e.g. replacing broken glass, damaged housing structures, torn vinyl, etc. and removing old worn surfaces e.g. laying tile, ceramic and carpet tile, carpeting, reupholstering seats as needed
- maintaining clean, safe and secure work areas free from hazards for staff and public safety
- maintaining shop equipment, tools and gear shared by Wood Shop personnel in proper operating condition
- conforming to safety standards and requirements of the department e.g. wearing protective clothing, using safety devices and observing safe operations of equipment, tools and machinery
2. (5%) Uses computer assisted design programs such as AutoCad to resolve design problems by:
- occasionally modifying computer aided drafting designs(AutoCad 14) provided by the Design Department so that the design can be imported to computer assisted manufacturing programs such as Toolpath for operation of the computer controlled router (CNC machine)
3. (5%) Performs other duties as required or assigned such as:
- occasionally, answering routine questions from visitors, clients (International Sales, Facility Rentals), program partners on the floor and shop tours e.g. fire exits, directions, etc.
- operating fork lift truck, “Genie” (cherry picker), “Hefty Herman”
- arranging for repair of tools, equipment and machinery
- assisting with building maintenance e.g. reupholstering seats, laying tiles, painting office filing cabinets, cabinets and furniture
Staffing and Licensing :
Certified journeyman cabinet maker/woodworker with knowledge of related trades carpentry, painting/finishing, carpet laying, vinyl covering, tiling, upholstering, drywall, plexiglass (forming and bending), pattern/mold making
Knowledge :
Knowledge of the principles, generally accepted trade practices, techniques and methods such as joint options e.g. dovetail, mortice and tennon, dowel, secret dovetail, half lap, etc, for cabinet making including related terminology, material dynamics and calculations to create layouts and fabricate finished custom products to precise measurements from blueprints, sketches and general instructions. Knowledge of local/provincial regulations, standards and building codes to ensure compliance when building stairs and load-bearing walls or machining hazardous materials such as fire retardant medium density fiberboard (MDF) including safe handling and proper exhausting of dust. Knowledge of OSC conventions e.g. standard hardware, level of finish. Knowledge of aesthetic appearance and material properties of woods, wood products e.g. hard and soft woods, fine wood veneer, plywood, engineered wood, plastic laminates and acrylics for their suitability and application in manufacturing e.g. moisture content in wood for proper gluing, heat needed to form and polish acrylics, etc. and related materials including carpet, floor tile, dry wall and upholstery fabrics. Knowledge of computer assisted manufacturing programs such as Toolpath to operate computer-controlled routers (CNC machine) to produce templates and exhibit components. Knowledge of the safe operation and preventative maintenance of woodworking machines, portable power, air-powered and hand tools including hydraulic press, panel, table and band saws, shapers, lathes, jointers, thickness planers, overhead routers, sanders, hand saws, planes, etc. Knowledge of tool maintenance and sharpening using grinders, diamond files, and honing stones. Knowledge of building materials such as adhesives, screws, nails, clamp nails, brackets, bolts and machine screws, related specialty hardware, scrapers, sanding blocks, rubbing compounds. Knowledge of capabilities, properties, handling and safe use of finishes including fireproof coatings and/or varnish, paint, lacquers, bleach, stain, enamels, acid etches on metal surfaces, etc. Knowledge of other shops' trades e.g. metal, electrical, electronics, graphic production to identify construction short cuts, problems and solutions.
Skills :
Conceptual skills to create layouts, anticipate construction, installation and maintenance difficulties. Communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with other staff members involved with exhibit development/renewal projects and to explain technical issues in readily understood terms e.g. construction problems, construction techniques and material properties; to communicate with suppliers occasionally when researching materials and to present findings with recommendations to Designers, Manager or Group Leader; to respond to questions occasionally from visitors and clients. Mathematical skills for precise measurements and to perform calculations such as area for layouts, material estimates. Planning and coordinating skills to ensure availability of materials for own work activities and to organize own work on multiple assignments to meet production schedules.
Freedom of Action :
Work is carried out under the general supervision of the Manager, Exhibit Fabrication assisted by the Woodshop Group Leader who are accountable for the overall planning, organization, supervision, control and inspection of work, scheduling and workflow, resource allocation, purchase of materials, tools, equipment and resolution of work related problems.
Judgement: Freedom exists in position to interpret design ideas/blueprints; to clarify/resolve technical design-fabrication problems and to comment (independently, or in consultation with Group Leader) on merits and feasibility of designer's ideas from a fabrication perspective; to advise on materials, finishes and manufacturing methods based on material properties and the intended use of the product by the public; to select or adapt generally accepted trade practices, processes and methods to construct/fabricate custom products that meet Designers' plans/specifications and comply with local/provincial regulations, standards (TSSA), building code and OSC conventions; to estimate labour and materials to complete fabrication, installation, service and repairs
Accountability: Position is accountable for custom building of static displays, structures (exhibit housing) and furniture for exhibits that meet Designers' plans/specifications and comply with local/provincial regulations, standards (TSSA), building code and OSC conventions; for meeting established project/production schedules (single or concurrent projects) by determining own work sequences which may involve liaison with other shops and requisitioning materials, supplies and tools; for safe and appropriate use, maintenance/minor repair and storage of materials, tools and equipment ; for ensuring shop area and finishing booth (an industrial manufacturing environment) and installation in the public areas are free of hazards and for taking preventive measures to ensure staff and visitor safety.
Errors such as miscalculated layouts could be detected and corrected but with significant loss of time, resources and materials