Lead Painter

The Michaels Organization • San Diego, CA

13d • $30 - $34

About The Position

The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and investment. At Michaels, our teammates strive to fulfill our promise of creating communities that lift lives – ones that jumpstart housing, education, civic engagement, and neighborhood prosperity. With this passion at the forefront of our business, Michaels teammates can be proud to be a part of the extraordinary, every day. The Lead Painter is a supervisory role responsible for overseeing the painting team while performing advanced painting, carpentry, drywall patching, taping, texturing, and general maintenance duties. This position requires a working leader who can manage team workflows, ensure quality standards are met, and train less experienced staff. The Lead Painter must exhibit exceptional customer service, technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to recognize problems before they happen. They serve as the primary point of contact for painting projects, ensuring all work in a resident’s homes is handled with the utmost professionalism and efficiency.

Requirements

• Minimum 4-5 years of multifamily/residential painting and maintenance experience.
• Prior supervisory or team lead experience is highly preferred.
• Proven expertise in drywall repair, texturing, and color matching.
• Experience working with work order systems and mobile maintenance apps.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and direct a team.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to multitask and prioritize duties in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
• Technical mastery of painting equipment.
• Valid Driver's License and acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Trade school certification in painting or general maintenance is a plus.
• Prior supervisory or team lead experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the daily activities of the painting team, assigning tasks and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines are met.
• Train and mentor junior painters on proper techniques, safety protocols, and company standards for quality.
• Perform quality control inspections on completed units to ensure they meet "move-in ready" standards before sign-off.
• Manage inventory of paint and supplies, submitting orders to the Warehouse Supervisor to ensure the team has necessary materials.
• Coordinate with the Turn Supervisor to prioritize units based on move-in schedules and urgent maintenance requests.
• Expertly smooth and prepare surfaces for painting, including advanced sanding, scraping, and removal of old paint.
• Perform complex drywall repairs, including taping, floating, and texturing walls and ceilings to match existing finishes.
• Apply paint, varnish, shellac, enamel, and other finishes to various surfaces (walls, floors, doors, cabinets) using brushes, spray guns, or rollers with high precision.
• Fill nail holes, cracks, and joints with putty, plaster, caulk, or other fillers to create a seamless finish.
• Protect property by ensuring all floors, furniture, and trim are properly covered with drop cloths and masking tape before work begins.
• Remove and reinstall fixtures such as pictures, doorknobs, lamps, and switch covers to ensure a clean paint job.
• Clean up all equipment and work areas daily, ensuring brushes, sprayers, and rollers are maintained for longevity.
• Strictly adhere to EPA and OSHA regulations regarding the proper storage and management of hazardous materials, including solvents, flammables, caustics, and Freon.
• Maintain accurate service records and document work completed in the maintenance system.
• Assist in other maintenance trades (light construction, general repair) during staff shortages or high-volume periods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• competitive wage
• a comprehensive benefit package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, prescription, etc.
• generous paid time off
• a 401 (k) plan with a company match
• Michaels Employee Scholarship Program
• professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees