Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Restoration Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Restoration Technician is a first responder for property damage, serving as a hands-on expert who mitigates damage and restores environments affected by water, fire, smoke, and mold. This role is crucial in helping homeowners and businesses recover from disastrous events. You are the calm in the storm, bringing expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and a methodical approach to stabilize a property and begin the process of putting lives back together. This is a physically demanding, yet incredibly rewarding, career for individuals who thrive on problem-solving, enjoy working with their hands, and find satisfaction in making a tangible difference in people's lives during times of crisis.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Laborer / Construction Worker
Carpet Cleaning Technician
Maintenance / Facilities Technician
Demolition Crew Member

Advancement To:

Lead Restoration Technician / Crew Chief
Restoration Project Manager
Contents Division Manager / Specialist
Restoration Estimator

Lateral Moves:

Mold Remediation Specialist
Large Loss / Commercial Restoration Specialist
Reconstruction Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Respond with urgency to emergency service calls for water, fire, and mold damage, frequently operating on an on-call basis outside of standard business hours.
Conduct thorough initial site inspections and damage assessments, identifying the scope of work, potential safety hazards, and moisture intrusion points to formulate an effective restoration plan.
Execute professional water extraction procedures on various flooring types and structural cavities using industrial-grade pumps, truck-mounted systems, and portable extractors.
Strategically place, monitor, and adjust structural drying equipment, including commercial air movers, LGR (Low-Grain Refrigerant) dehumidifiers, and specialty drying systems, to efficiently return materials to their standard dry state.
Perform controlled demolition and removal of non-salvageable building materials such as saturated drywall, compromised flooring, and affected insulation while adhering to safety and containment protocols.
Meticulously clean and decontaminate structures and personal property affected by soot, smoke, sewage, and other contaminants using industry-approved cleaning agents and techniques.
Employ specialized deodorization methods, including thermal fogging, hydroxyl generation, and ozone treatments, to effectively neutralize and eliminate persistent odors from the property.
Implement comprehensive mold remediation plans in accordance with IICRC S520 standards, which includes setting up critical containment barriers, operating HEPA air filtration devices, and applying antimicrobial treatments.
Carefully pack-out, inventory, and transport clients' personal property and contents for off-site cleaning, restoration, and secure storage, ensuring a detailed chain of custody.
Restore salvageable contents, including furniture, textiles, and electronics, through specialized cleaning and refinishing processes.
Operate and perform daily maintenance on all company vehicles, tools, and restoration equipment, ensuring they are clean, organized, and in optimal working condition for immediate deployment.
Maintain strict adherence to all health and safety regulations, including the consistent and correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as N-95 respirators, hard hats, gloves, and safety glasses.
Create detailed, accurate, and timely job-site documentation, including digital photos, moisture mapping, psychrometric readings, drying logs, and daily progress notes using proprietary or industry software.
Communicate with empathy, clarity, and professionalism with property owners, keeping them informed of the restoration process, managing their expectations, and answering their questions.
Work collaboratively and effectively as part of a crew, supporting crew chiefs, project managers, and fellow technicians to ensure project goals are met efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

Secondary Functions

Assist with the "put-back" and reconstruction phase of projects, which may involve minor repairs, painting, or re-installing baseboards and fixtures.
Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked warehouse and company vehicle, ensuring all supplies are ready for immediate dispatch to an emergency.
Participate actively and reliably in a rotating on-call schedule for after-hours, weekend, and holiday emergency responses.
Engage in continuous professional development by attending in-house training, workshops, and pursuing valuable industry certifications through the IICRC.
Provide support to estimators and project managers by gathering accurate field measurements, photos, and critical site details necessary for creating precise project scopes and client invoices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating water extraction equipment, structural drying units (air movers, dehumidifiers), and moisture detection tools (moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras).
IICRC Standards Knowledge: Familiarity with or certification in IICRC S500 (Water Damage Restoration) and S520 (Mold Remediation) is highly valued.
Demolition & Light Construction: Competency with hand and power tools for the purpose of controlled demolition and minor structural repairs.
Valid Driver's License: A valid license with a clean driving record is mandatory for operating company vehicles to and from job sites.
Job Management Software: Experience using industry software for documentation (e.g., DASH, Encircle, MICA) is a significant asset.
Containment & Safety: Ability to properly set up containment barriers and use HEPA air filtration equipment to prevent cross-contamination.

Soft Skills

Customer Service & Empathy: The ability to communicate with compassion and professionalism to clients who are experiencing a stressful and emotional property loss event.
Strong Work Ethic: A dependable, punctual, and highly motivated individual who is prepared to work long, demanding hours and respond to emergencies at a moment's notice.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to think critically on your feet, assess dynamic situations, and make sound decisions to overcome unexpected challenges on-site.
Teamwork: A collaborative spirit and the ability to work cohesively with a diverse team to complete projects efficiently and safely.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in all aspects of the job, from cleaning and demolition to documentation, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Physical Stamina: Capable of performing physically demanding tasks, including consistently lifting 50+ pounds, climbing ladders, working in confined spaces, and standing for extended periods in challenging environmental conditions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational or Trade School certificate in a relevant field.
IICRC Certifications (WRT, FSRT, AMRT).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Trades
Environmental Services

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-3 years. We value a strong work ethic and a positive attitude, and we are willing to provide comprehensive training to motivated candidates new to the industry.

Preferred: 1+ years of direct, hands-on experience in the property damage restoration industry or a closely related field like construction, emergency services, or specialty cleaning.