Dominic Shaner.
The Facilities Roof/Tin Shop welcomed Dominic Shaner, who joined the team in October 2024 from the sanitation department after participating in the Service Employees International Union Summer Transfer Program, an initiative designed to provide union members with opportunities to gain valuable experience across different departments.
Dominic Shaner first came to Princeton as a contractor on the Yeh and New College West projects. As an experienced roofer, he worked on the waterproofing and roofing portions of those projects for about two years. While on site in the slower, winter months, Shaner began looking for internal staff opportunities.
At the time, he wasn’t aware of the different shops in Operations. He saw a posting for a position in Sanitation and, since he had gotten his commercial driver’s license right out of high school, he decided to apply.
“I applied at the right time because it’s hard to get in here,” Shaner said. “It took over a month, the process and everything. It was a good feeling to get hired.”
Once in the new position, Shaner began to learn more about the Facilities organization and the opportunities at Princeton.
“When I first applied, they knew I was a roofer,” he said. “I asked Jeff Coley, since he’s in the Roof Shop, how I could get over there?”
Jeff, president of the Local Service Employee International Union (SEIU) 175, suggested Shaner participate in the Summer Transfer Program. The program allows union members to transfer to a different department within the University for development during the summer months.
Shaner was placed in the Roof Shop for the summer of 2024. While working there, a position opened.
“I didn’t expect it to move so fast, but the opportunity came up and I knew I had to jump on it,” Shaner said.
There was a competitive, qualified pool of applicants for the position. Thanks to his summer transfer placement, qualifications and experience, Shaner was hired.
Marc Navarro, Sanitation Supervisor, said it was bittersweet to see Shaner go. “He’s a really good worker,” Navarro said. “But this is what Princeton is about. It’s about moving up and growing a career.”
As he gets settled into the Roof Shop, Shaner is most excited to continue learning the Princeton roofing way. “We do metal work, slate work, copper roofs and gutters. I am excited to keep building my skills.”
“This place has a lot of history and it’s cool to be working on the type of projects that the shop works on,” Shaner said. “I really enjoy it here. This is a great job, a great place to work, and I couldn’t ask for anything better.”