Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Assistant Superintendent

💰 $65,000 - $110,000

ConstructionField OperationsProject ManagementSite SupervisionSafety

🎯 Role Definition

The Assistant Superintendent supports the Superintendent and Project Management team by supervising day-to-day field operations on construction sites. This role is accountable for on-site safety, quality, schedule adherence, subcontractor coordination, material flow, and timely documentation so projects are delivered on scope, on time, and within budget. An effective Assistant Superintendent proactively removes site bottlenecks, enforces quality and safety standards (OSHA and local regulations), communicates status to stakeholders, and executes the Superintendent’s plan through direct crew supervision and coordination with trades.

Key SEO phrases: Assistant Superintendent, construction site supervision, subcontractor management, schedule control, safety compliance, quality assurance, RFIs, change orders, punch list, Procore, MS Project.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Engineer or Assistant Project Engineer with on-site experience
  • Lead Carpenter / Foreman transitioning to supervisory responsibilities
  • Construction Crew Supervisor or Foreman promoted to management track

Advancement To:

  • Superintendent
  • Senior Superintendent or Program Superintendent
  • Construction Project Manager / Project Executive

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Control Manager
  • Safety Supervisor / Safety Manager
  • Preconstruction or Estimating roles

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Oversee daily site operations to ensure work sequences align with the master schedule; coordinate trade activities, confirm work access, and actively manage the construction critical path to prevent delays.
  • Supervise and direct subcontractors, craft crews, and laborers; clarify scope, set daily priorities, inspect workmanship, and enforce contract requirements to maintain consistent productivity and quality.
  • Manage on-site safety program implementation: conduct toolbox talks, enforce PPE and fall protection, perform daily safety inspections, track near-misses, and support OSHA compliance and company safety initiatives.
  • Lead site quality assurance and quality control activities by interpreting contract documents and drawings, performing regular inspections, identifying nonconforming work, and ensuring corrective actions and documentation are completed.
  • Maintain, update, and execute short-interval schedules (look-ahead schedules) and weekly progress updates; coordinate with the Superintendent and PM to adjust resource allocations and mitigate schedule risk.
  • Prepare, review, and manage daily logs, field reports, manpower reports, and photographic records that document progress, incidents, substitutions, and delays for accurate project records.
  • Coordinate material deliveries, on-site storage, staging, and logistics; verify material counts, protect materials from weather and theft, and escalate long-lead or missing items that threaten schedule.
  • Review submittals, shop drawings, and product data with subcontractors and the Superintendent; track submittal status and ensure installed materials match approved submittals.
  • Identify, document, and manage Requests for Information (RFIs) and change order backlogs: draft RFI detail, help assemble supporting field information, and assist in resolving scope ambiguities.
  • Execute and monitor punch-list creation and closeout activities during project turnover; coordinate final inspections, deficiency repair sequences, and owner acceptance procedures.
  • Assist with cost control by tracking labor productivity, reporting forecasted overruns, identifying inefficiencies, and proposing corrective actions to the Superintendent and Project Controls.
  • Enforce permit and regulatory compliance at the site level, arranging inspections, ensuring inspection accessibility, and responding to municipal or agency requests in coordination with the PM team.
  • Mentor and coach on-site leads and junior field staff; apply hands-on training, performance feedback, and development plans to improve crew capabilities and create bench strength.
  • Facilitate and lead coordination meetings (pre-construction trade meetings, weekly coordination, and safety meetings) to align stakeholders on schedule, interfaces, and sequencing.
  • Manage equipment scheduling, utilization, preventive maintenance coordination, and fuel/consumable inventories to avoid equipment-related downtime.
  • Implement temporary means and methods on-site: set up hoisting paths, scaffolds, access roads, containment, and protection measures for safe and efficient operations.
  • Track and document productivity metrics and site KPIs (daily production rates, percentage complete by milestone, subcontractor performance) to support forecasts and weekly executive reports.
  • Investigate and resolve field conflicts, technical issues, and trade interface problems quickly — escalating complex issues with recommended options and impacts to the Superintendent or PM.
  • Support project closeout activities by compiling O&M manuals, warranty documentation, as-built markups, turnover packages, and coordinating final owner training and walkthroughs.
  • Manage environmental controls, erosion and sedimentation plans, waste handling and recycling programs to maintain compliance with environmental permits and company sustainability goals.
  • Support client and owner relations by attending site meetings, answering owner inquiries, and ensuring a high level of service during construction to protect the project reputation.
  • Enforce quality control checklists at key milestones (concrete pours, waterproofing, MEP rough-ins, system startups) and sign off on milestone acceptance prior to subsequent trades.
  • Assist the Superintendent in developing and implementing corrective action plans when labor, schedule, safety, or quality standards fall short of project goals.
  • Coordinate third-party testing, commissioning agents, and inspectors to schedule required inspections, collect test results, and ensure timely remediation of failed tests.
  • Maintain effective communication channels across the project team including subcontractors, architects, engineers, suppliers, and owner representatives to reduce misunderstandings and rework.
  • Ensure productivity-focused field documentation supports billing and contract compliance: compile time sheets, contractor change requests, and field justification for schedule impacts.
  • Lead daily or weekly pre-task planning for high-risk activities (lifting, confined space entry, hot work), ensuring permits, barricades, and rescue plans are in place.
  • Assist with small-scope estimating and resource planning for approved change orders and scope expansions by gathering field quantity takeoffs and labor hour estimates.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide ad-hoc site data and insight to support project reporting (progress percent complete, productivity trends).
  • Support development and refinement of standard operating procedures for field execution and site logistics.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives such as lean construction practices and productivity optimization programs.
  • Serve as a backup point of contact for site coordination when the Superintendent is off-site or otherwise engaged.
  • Help maintain and organize the on-site document control system, including drawings, submittals, and revision logs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Construction site supervision and field leadership for vertical or horizontal projects (commercial, residential, industrial).
  • Proven ability with schedule management tools and techniques (MS Project, Primavera P6, or similar); experience producing look-ahead schedules and critical path analysis.
  • Proficiency with construction management software and field documentation platforms (Procore, PlanGrid, BIM 360, Bluebeam).
  • Reading and interpreting construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents; producing field markups and as-built records.
  • Familiarity with quality control processes and inspection/test plans, commissioning procedures, and punch-list management.
  • Strong safety knowledge: OSHA standards, fall protection, scaffold safety, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, and conducting toolbox talks.
  • Subcontractor coordination and performance management, including scope clarification, schedule enforcement, and quality oversight.
  • Materials and logistics coordination: ordering cadence, staging, receiving inspection, and protection of long-lead items.
  • RFI and change order management: preparing field documentation to support design clarifications and change order requests.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Excel for productivity tracking, Word for reports) and field reporting tools.
  • Basic cost control and productivity tracking, including reporting labor hours, equipment usage, and field-led forecasting.
  • Experience coordinating third-party testing, inspections, and commissioning agents; understanding testing protocols and result implications.
  • Experience with BIM or coordination models and clash resolution workflow is a plus.

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal and written communication: clear direction for crews, concise reports for management, professional interaction with owners and architects.
  • Leadership and people management: ability to motivate crews, de-escalate conflicts, and enforce discipline while maintaining morale.
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking: rapid assessment of trade conflicts, technical issues, and schedule impacts with pragmatic mitigation plans.
  • Time management and prioritization under flux: keep high-impact activities on-track when multiple issues compete for attention.
  • Attention to detail for quality control, permit compliance, and document integrity.
  • Collaboration and stakeholder management: build trust with subcontractors, clients, and design teams to speed decisions.
  • Decision-making under pressure and accountability for site outcomes.
  • Coaching and mentoring orientation to develop field personnel and foremen.
  • Adaptability and resilience to changing site conditions and weather impacts.
  • Professionalism and customer service orientation when representing the company to owners and local authorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; demonstrated construction experience typically required.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering Technology, Architecture, or related field preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Management
  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Architecture
  • Building Science
  • Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3–7+ years of progressive on-site construction experience; at least 1–3 years in a supervisory/foreman or lead role recommended.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of commercial construction field experience with documented leadership on medium to large-scale projects.
  • Experience on similar project types (tenant improvement, retail, multifamily, healthcare, heavy civil) desirable.
  • Certifications such as OSHA 30-Hour, CPR/First Aid, or company-specific safety training are a plus.
  • Familiarity with construction management platforms (Procore, PlanGrid), scheduling tools (MS Project, Primavera), and digital collaboration workflows.
Explore More Careers