Trades Generalist Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job
Posting Details
Position Information
About Buffalo State
Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city's cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school's mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands-on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.
Posting Date 06/13/2026
Department Facilities Office
Line Number TBD
Budget Title Trades Generalist
Rank/Grade SG-12
FTE Full-Time
FLSA Non-Exempt
Negotiating Unit CSEA
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Jurisdictional Class Non-Competitive (1)
Shift Hours
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:00pm
overtime, work on holidays, and non-scheduled days may be required
Department Operating Needs
This position has the designation of Essential-Critical Service, therefore the successful applicant is designated as an essential service employee. For a definition of essential service employees, please review the university's Emergency Closings Policy (https://adminpolicylibrary.buffalostate.edu/sites/adminpolicylibrary/files/documents/Emergency%20Closings%20Policy%20\120621\Final.pdf) .
The State University of New York offers a variety of fringe benefits including health insurance, free dental and vision, retirement plans, paid time off and holidays, and more. Click here (https://www.suny.edu/media/suny/content-assets/documents/benefits/benefit-summaries/CSEA-Benefits-at-a-Glance-Jan-2025.pdf) for a summary of benefits for this position.
The Trades Generalist will provide comprehensive support to the Facilities Department by assisting with a wide range of assigned trade-related tasks, ensuring that all work activities are completed efficiently, safely, and in compliance with applicable standards. This includes supporting multiple projects, responding to facility needs, and contributing to the overall operational effectiveness of the department.
Brief Job Description
A Trades Generalist performs journey-level work in one trade, and skilled and semiskilled level work in a combination of other trades in the repair and maintenance of facilities and equipment. Incumbents may supervise others in maintenance, repair, installation, and construction activities.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Trades Generalist: non-competitive; functions as a skilled worker in a primary trade, and also performs a variety of skilled and semiskilled activities in one or a combination of other related trades in response to maintenance program requirements.
Trades Generalists are assigned either to a small State facility where the incumbent functions in the only journey-level maintenance position, or where the organization of work and the maintenance program require the flexibility afforded by this classification. Incumbents of positions in this latter setting may work with individuals whose positions are classified according to specific trades. Trades Generalists, like other journey-level positions, plan and lay out construction, repair, and maintenance projects.
Related Classes
The specialized trades titles, such as Trades Specialist (Carpenter), Trades Specialist (Electrician), Trades Specialist (Plumber & Steamfitter), Trades Specialist (Sign Fabrication) and Service & Repair Mechanic (Motor Equipment), are distinguished from Trades Generalist by the performance of journey-level work in a single trade generally on a full-time basis.
A Maintenance Assistant performs semiskilled maintenance, repair, and related activities; and may perform many of the same maintenance tasks as a skilled tradesperson in one or a combination of crafts, usually under the supervision of a skilled tradesperson.
Illustrative Tasks
The services performed by Trades Generalists vary from position to position so that the listing of specific activities and tasks is impracticable. However, Trades Generalists have one responsibility in common, that of performing a variety of skilled and semiskilled maintenance, repair, installation, and construction tasks in the mechanical, building, motor equipment, and electrical trades.
Classification standards describing the activities and tasks performed by specialized trades include, but are not limited to, Trades Specialist (Carpenter), Occ. Code 7120100; Trades Specialist (Electrician), Occ. Code 7120120; Trades Specialist (Painter), Occ. Code 7120110; Service & Repair Mechanic (Motor Equipment), Occ. Code 7347130; Trades Specialist (Plumber & Steamfitter), Occ. Code 7120160; Trades Specialist (Sign Fabrication), Occ. Code 7120185; and Trades Specialist (Mason & Plasterer), Occ. Code 7120150.
Classification standards describing other classes involved in maintenance, repair, and related activities include Maintenance Assistant, Occ. Code 7202000; and Facility Operations Assistant 1, Occ. Code 3010100.
The services performed by Trades Generalists vary from position to position so that the listing of specific activities and tasks is impracticable. However, Trades Generalists have one responsibility in common, that of performing a variety of skilled and semiskilled maintenance, repair, installation, and construction tasks in the mechanical, building, motor equipment, and electrical trades.
Independence of Operation
Trades Generalists are supervised by higher-level trades positions, such as Trades Supervisor (Carpenter), Maintenance Supervisor 1, 2 or 3, or a program administrator with varied responsibilities, in addition to facilities and equipment maintenance and repair. Generally, work priorities are prescribed, material is furnished, the nature and extent of the work to be performed is given, and detailed plans, diagrams, and specifications are provided. However, a Trades Generalist may be required to work from rough sketches or from oral instructions.
Although the work of a Trades Generalist is inspected periodically by the supervisor, incumbents are expected to work with considerable independence as is typical of a skilled tradesperson.
Communication
The nature of a Trades Generalists activities generally restricts relationships to employees working within the same organization unit, including skilled tradespersons in other trades. However, incumbents may be expected to orally communicate with administrators and others in an agency or facility on the reasons why work is being accomplished in the manner selected.
Trades Generalists may supervise a maintenance staff. Such relationships are characterized by frequent oral communications in assigning work and providing instructions. Written and oral communications with the general public are not typical of this class. Although incumbents may have frequent verbal relationships with others, the tasks of this class are predominantly thing-oriented and involvement with others is not a factor in determining its classification.
Supervision Exercised
A Trades Generalist may supervise a subordinate maintenance staff and/or individuals for whom the State has custody or responsibility by making assignments, giving instructions, and observing and inspecting work performed to ensure that instructions have been followed and that the quality of the work is satisfactory.
Visa Sponsorship is not available.
Required Qualifications
As per the Department of Civil Service:
Non-competitive:
Four years of full-time experience in a trade under a skilled tradesperson
OR a completed apprenticeship;
OR completion of an equivalent program at a technical trades school, institute, or of the Armed Services;
OR an equivalent combination of experience and training gained by completion of technical courses in skilled trades at a school, institute, or branch of the Armed Services.
When required to operate motor vehicles, candidates must possess a valid state driver's license appropriate for the @type of vehicle to be operated.
Preferred Qualifications
Application Deadline Date 06/25/2026
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Contact Person
Contact Email
Contact Fax
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://jobs.buffalostate.edu/postings/8343
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Equity and Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 415, (716) 878-6210. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at warnesje@buffalostate.edu or call (716) 878-4822.
Background Investigation Statement
All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. Our Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre-employment-background-screening.
Clery Statement
Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report ( ASR ) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu. The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at (716) 878-6333.
New York State Executive Order 161
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
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How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
Buffalo State website
Buffalo News
Buffalo Rocket
Challenger
Chronicle of Higher Education
HigherEdJobs
Panorama Hispano News
Employee Referral
Other
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All applicants are subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The college's Pre-Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre-employment-background-screening. Prior to an offer of employment, an applicant will be required to sign an authorization release form, allowing Buffalo State to conduct a background investigation. Failure of an applicant to sign the authorization release form will disqualify an applicant from further consideration for appointment.
I agree to comply with the college's policy.
I do not agree to comply with the college's policy. (Note, this selection will disqualify you from further consideration for appointment.)
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Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED)?
Yes
No
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Do you possess a valid driver's license?
Yes
No
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Please describe in detail how your training and experience meets the required qualifications and department operating needs.
(Open Ended Question)
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Names and Contact Information for 3 Professional References
Optional Documents
Cover Letter
