The Many Roles on a Construction Site

A construction project is a tall order and requires many different people with different skillsets to execute it. Here is a breakdown of the kinds of jobs you will come across on a construction project.

Construction Manager

The construction manager is responsible for overseeing the entirety of the project from start to finish. They may individually manage a project, or work with other construction managers depending on the scale of the project and its complexities. They are responsible for planning, budgeting, and overseeing progress. During the planning process they must decide what materials to be used, how to schedule employees, and create a schedule for the project. They must keep constant communication with all others on the project as well as the client. They are on-call at all times because it is their responsibility if something on the project goes wrong at any point. Due to the variety of job duties included in being a construction manager, many find benefits in the implementation of cloud-based software to aid them in their planning, implementation, and communication from start to finish.

Estimator

The estimator is responsible for estimating the costs, materials, and labor needed to complete a project. They must be fully versed on the project and be able to quantify the project using specific metrics. They use sophisticated estimating software to aid them, but must also communicate with the rest of the team and outside companies in order to gain knowledge on the costs of different tasks.

Architect

The architect is responsible for envisioning the client’s needs and developing a creative solution. They develop the creative plans, communicate the plans to others, and oversee their execution. They must be involved in a project from start to finish to ensure that the client’s vision is being implemented properly.

Supervisor

The job supervisor acts as an intermediary between the field workers and the management office to ensure effective communication. Many supervisors benefit from the use of communication technology on their mobile devices that allow them to streamline this constant communication. Aside from this, they are responsible for any problems or conflicts that may arise between the field and the office.

Construction Expeditor

The construction expeditor manages the flow of materials from suppliers to project. They must be able to determine what materials and equipment will be needed in any given project, order those materials, and manage timely delivery. This person must be well organized and detailed to be able to keep track of the flow of material on a given schedule as they are often working for many projects at once. They work closely with both the suppliers and the companies, which entails constant communication between parties.

Construction Worker

Construction workers are the driving force for every project. Once the project is planned, the workers get their hands dirty to make it a reality. They demolish old structures and work to create new ones following specific specifications. They must be able to operate heavy machinery, lifting large objects, and perform typical construction tasks. Aside from their physical requirements, they must be able to effectively comprehend the instructions they receive from their supervisors and work collaboratively with other team members.

Engineer

Engineers are very important on a job site and may specialize in building, electrical, mechanical, highway, or heavy. Engineers use computer software technology to create plans for their projects and travel to job sites to oversee their implementation. They meet regularly with others on the team to ensure that their plans can be executed.

Electrician

The electrician is in charge of making electrical connections in a building. This includes installing the wiring for all electrical structures in a building and ensuring their functionality. Electricians must be masters at troubleshooting. Much of their job includes fixing problems that may arise which requires a high level of problem-solving skills and critical thinking.

Construction Foreman

The foreman is the head of the workers in the field. He oversees the project on-site and tracks worker’s timecard and completion of tasks on schedule. The foreman is the direct responsibility for any problems or injuries that occur on a job site. He is also in charge of personnel including timecards, payroll, and often hiring or promotion. Mobile technology aids the foreman in his communication from the job-site to the back office.