Introduction
A Construction Superintendent is a staff of a construction firm. He or she ensures that construction projects are completed on time and successfully. They also work together with other staff in the construction team, other contractors, and external partners.
They oversee the activities of Construction Managers and/or project managers of the company. These included budgeting, periodic reports, ensuring laid down guidelines and procedures are well followed.
In addition, Construction Superintendents work with several other professionals in the project. These can include Architects, Engineers, Plumbers, Electricians, etc.
This goes a long way in showing that they must be of great interpersonal relation skills.
Also, they must be well knowledgeable in the standards, procedures, and principles guarding constructions. These are part of what they look out for, to ensure that all staff work in line.
Furthermore, these professionals must possess strong leadership skills, as they deal with leaders as well. They must have good communication skills, great analytical skills among others.
Also, they are usually graduates of Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.
They may work as Project Managers or Construction Managers. Also, depending on the size of the company, they may be the direct supervisors of Construction and Project Managers.
Let’s dive right into their duties.
Responsibilities of a Construction Superintendent
The duties of Construction Superintendents include but are not limited to the following:
- Training and teaching junior staff.
- Supervising all staff working at construction sites.
- Working together with other construction professionals, to ensure successful and timely work.
- Writing and submitting reports on projects periodically.
- Performing market surveys to know price rates for tools and equipment needed.
- Ensuring that all work equipment is in good working conditions.
- Setting work guidelines that are in line with the good health and safety of the staff.
- Ensuring that all staff works together peacefully.
- Creating work schedules for site workers.
- Overseeing recruitment processes for nonstaff members needed on the construction site.
Qualifications for practice as a Construction Superintendent
To be able to qualify for the position of Construction Superintendent, one has to meet certain specifications. These include:
- Firstly, a Bachelor’s degree in any of the related fields.
- Secondly, a Master’s degree in Construction Management. One in Project Management can also fit in.
- Thirdly, tangible experience working with a construction team.
Also, certain skills and knowledge are looked out for, as they can greatly facilitate speed in the course of work. These include:
- High level of organization.
- Documentation skills.
- Computer skills.
- Negotiation skills.
- Leadership skills.
- Expertise in certain necessary computer software.
- Knowledge of the operation of key technology and machinery.
- Time management skills.
- Public speaking skills.
- Interpersonal relations.
- Problem-solving skills, among others.
Salary
In the United States, Construction Superintendents make an average yearly salary of around $90,000 to $132,000. They are among some of the well-paid staff. The exact salary is dependent on how large or small the company is. It also depends on the quality of projects completed within the given time frame. Also, it can depend on the number of contracts secured for the company by the Construction Superintendent.
Work Environment
The work environment of a Construction Superintendent is the construction site. He or she also has an office for major documentation works. Also, the job can involve periodic market surveys and meetings with investors, third parties, and other construction staff.
Additionally, during work on the construction site, Construction Superintendents are expected to use protective clothing. This includes goggles, helmets, jackets, boots, and the like.
Outside of that, they are expected to be corporately dressed.
Furthermore, working hours can be up to 40 hours a week, because they work full time. Sometimes, weekends and public holidays can be included.
Conclusion
Construction Superintendents are concerned with guarding and guiding a construction team on-site. They are quite different from Project Managers, who are in charge of managing projects; construction, and non-construction. Project managers do more logistics work, while Construction Managers do more on-the-site work.
Also, Construction Superintendents can function as Construction managers in smaller firms. However, in an ideal situation, a construction manager reports to the construction superintendent. In this case, the manager does more of the work while the superintendent does the overall supervisory duties.
Importantly, Construction Superintendents are in charge of ensuring the completion of construction projects within the given time frame. They are good organizers and leaders, necessary in every construction company.
