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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for General Construction Supervisor

💰 $60,000 - $110,000

ConstructionProject ManagementSupervision

🎯 Role Definition

The General Construction Supervisor oversees daily site operations for commercial, industrial, and/or residential construction projects.
This role ensures projects are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to specification by directing crews, coordinating subcontractors,
enforcing quality control and safety protocols, and maintaining clear client and stakeholder communication. The General Construction Supervisor
is the primary onsite leader who translates plans into action, resolves field issues, and drives continuous improvement in construction delivery.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Carpenter or Skilled Tradesperson promoted to Lead/Foreman
  • Construction Foreman or Field Superintendent (Assistant Superintendent)
  • Field Engineer or Project Coordinator with onsite experience

Advancement To:

  • Project Superintendent
  • Construction Manager or Senior Superintendent
  • Director of Construction or Operations Manager
  • Regional Construction Manager / Project Executive

Lateral Moves:

  • Estimator or Preconstruction Manager
  • Safety Manager / Safety Director
  • Facilities Manager or Maintenance Superintendent

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Supervise and coordinate all on-site construction activities, directing crews and subcontractors to ensure work is performed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project plans, specifications, and contract documents.
  • Read, interpret and implement architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical drawings and specifications; translate plans into day-to-day work sequences and actionable tasks for crews and subcontractors.
  • Develop, maintain and enforce the project schedule at the site level: create daily and weekly look-aheads, adjust manpower and sequencing to mitigate delays, and provide accurate progress updates to the project superintendent and project manager.
  • Enforce all health, safety and environmental protocols on site; conduct daily safety briefings (toolbox talks), implement corrective safety actions immediately, and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety standards.
  • Manage on-site quality control and QA processes: perform inspections, generate punch lists, document non-conformances, direct corrective work, and verify that completed work meets specifications and industry standards.
  • Coordinate subcontractors, suppliers and trade partners—schedule deliveries, confirm scope of work, enforce site rules, and resolve scope or sequencing conflicts to keep work moving.
  • Oversee material management at the jobsite: verify quantities on delivery, protect materials from damage/theft/weather, coordinate staging and storage, and report shortages that could impact schedule.
  • Maintain accurate site documentation including daily logs, timesheets, RFIs, change order documentation, inspection reports, equipment logs, and photographic records for project files and claims prevention.
  • Administer on-site change orders: identify and document field conditions requiring changes, generate documentation for contract modifications, and support cost/time impact analysis with the project team.
  • Supervise and evaluate the performance of craft labor and foremen; coach, mentor and enforce performance standards, and recommend personnel actions or training to improve productivity and quality.
  • Plan and coordinate site layout, temporary utilities, hoisting/equipment placement, and site access to maximize efficiency and safety on complex or congested sites.
  • Conduct regular coordination meetings with superintendents, foremen and subcontractors to resolve day-to-day conflicts, sequence trades, and ensure alignment with project milestones.
  • Facilitate inspections with third-party inspectors, building department officials and client representatives; prepare the site for inspections and address corrective actions promptly.
  • Monitor jobsite equipment usage and condition; schedule routine maintenance, manage equipment operators, and coordinate rental or replacement of specialized tools to avoid downtime.
  • Implement and enforce environmental controls on site (silt fences, stormwater management, dust control, hazardous material handling) and ensure necessary permits and documentation are current.
  • Respond promptly to client, architect and owner queries; provide clear, professional updates, manage expectations, and escalate critical issues to the project manager with recommended solutions.
  • Track and control onsite cost drivers—labor productivity, overtime, rework and material waste—report variances, and recommend mitigation strategies to protect project margins.
  • Lead the project close-out and turnover process from the field: coordinate punch list completion, gather as-built documentation, operations & maintenance manuals, warranties, and final inspections for owner acceptance.
  • Execute risk mitigation strategies onsite: identify potential delays or conflicts, propose accelerated or alternate work methods, and implement contingency plans while maintaining quality and safety.
  • Train and enforce company policies and site procedures, including drug and alcohol policies, PPE requirements, hot work permits, and emergency response plans.
  • Maintain continuous improvement focus by collecting productivity data, recommending process improvements, and implementing best practices to increase quality and reduce cost.
  • Coordinate specialty trades and commissioning activities (testing & balancing, systems start-up) and ensure required documentation is completed for systems acceptance.
  • Manage work permit processes on site (confined space, hot work, excavation) and ensure permits are properly issued, displayed and signed off after completion.
  • Conduct regular site housekeeping inspections and enforce cleanliness and organization to reduce hazards and improve operational efficiency.
  • Facilitate subcontractor performance evaluations, resolve contractual disputes at the field level, and support the procurement team by providing accurate on-site feedback for vendor selection.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist project management with budget tracking, field-based cost forecasting and monthly earned-value reporting inputs.
  • Support procurement by verifying on-site material needs, confirming quantities for reorders, and coordinating rapid delivery for critical-path items.
  • Contribute to safety program development by documenting incidents, participating in incident investigations, and recommending preventive measures.
  • Provide mentorship and on-the-job training for apprentices and junior field staff to build bench strength and succession pathways.
  • Support the creation and maintenance of as-built drawings and mark-ups during construction for accurate turnover documentation.
  • Participate in pre-construction and planning meetings to provide constructability input and identify potential site constraints early.
  • Assist in punch list coordination and final owner walk-through preparation, ensuring timely resolution of outstanding items.
  • Help manage subcontractor onboarding and orientation, ensuring documentation (licenses, insurances, certifications) is current and filed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Construction supervision and crew management experience on commercial, industrial or multi-family projects.
  • Blueprint reading and ability to interpret architectural, structural, MEP drawings and specifications.
  • Project scheduling and hands-on experience developing daily, weekly and look-ahead schedules; familiarity with MS Project, Primavera P6, or Procore Schedule is a plus.
  • OSHA safety knowledge (OSHA 10/30 preferred) and experience enforcing safety protocols, conducting toolbox talks, and managing incident investigations.
  • Quality assurance/quality control processes including punch lists, inspections, and non-conformance reporting.
  • Knowledge of construction means and methods, temporary works, material handling, and site logistics planning.
  • Subcontractor coordination and contract scope management, including issuance and tracking of RFIs and change orders.
  • Basic construction estimating and cost-control awareness: tracking labor productivity, material usage, and change order impacts.
  • Permit coordination and familiarity with building department inspection processes and code compliance requirements.
  • Proficiency in construction documentation tools: Procore, Bluebeam, PlanGrid, Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word) and mobile field reporting applications.
  • Equipment and fleet coordination knowledge, including daily equipment logs and preventive maintenance scheduling.
  • Experience with commissioning or start-up coordination for mechanical/electrical systems is preferred.
  • Ability to prepare clear daily reports, timecards, and photographic documentation for executive and client review.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership with demonstrated ability to motivate multi-trade crews and enforce standards consistently.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for liaising with clients, architects, subcontractors and upper management.
  • Proactive problem-solving and decisive decision-making under pressure to keep the project on schedule.
  • High attention to detail to ensure work meets specifications and to prevent costly rework.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance competing site demands and deadlines.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills for resolving trade sequencing and scope disputes.
  • Coaching and mentoring aptitude to develop junior staff and foster a safety-first culture.
  • Customer-focused mindset: responsive to owner or client concerns while protecting contractual rights.
  • Adaptability to changing site conditions, weather impacts, and evolving project requirements.
  • Ethical judgment and accountability when documenting conditions, costs and safety incidents.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

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

Preferred Education:

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

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Management
  • Civil Engineering / Civil Engineering Technology
  • Architecture or Architectural Technology
  • Building Science / Construction Technology
  • Project Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–15 years of progressive field experience in construction with at least 3–5 years supervising crews and subcontractors.

Preferred: 7+ years supervising medium to large commercial or multifamily construction projects, including documented experience with project scheduling, safety program enforcement (OSHA 30), and subcontractor management.

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