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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Transportation Superintendent

💰 $ - $

TransportationConstructionLogisticsCivil EngineeringSafety

🎯 Role Definition

The Transportation Superintendent is the on-site leader responsible for executing transportation, roadway, bridge and heavy civil construction programs. This role directs field crews, coordinates traffic control and staging, enforces safety and environmental compliance (DOT, OSHA, SWPPP), manages resources and subcontractors, and ensures projects are completed on time, within budget and to specified quality standards. The Transportation Superintendent is the primary point of contact for clients, inspectors and local agencies during construction operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Assistant Superintendent (Highway/Roadway)
  • Construction Field Engineer / Project Engineer
  • Lead Foreman or Crew Supervisor in heavy civil or utilities

Advancement To:

  • Senior Transportation Superintendent
  • Project Manager / Construction Manager (Transportation)
  • Regional Operations Manager / Director of Construction

Lateral Moves:

  • Traffic Control Manager / Traffic Superintendent
  • Safety Manager (Construction)
  • Estimating / Preconstruction Specialist
  • Quality Control / Quality Assurance Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and supervise multi-discipline field crews (grading, paving, concrete, drainage, traffic control, bridge work) to safely execute daily construction activities in accordance with contract documents, DOT specifications and accepted construction practices.
  • Develop, maintain and drive the project schedule on a day-to-day basis, preparing look-ahead schedules, coordinating sequencing of work, and adjusting staffing or equipment to mitigate delays and meet critical milestones.
  • Implement and enforce project-specific safety programs and protocols, including daily safety briefings, OSHA compliance, traffic control plans, confined space procedures and incident investigation to maintain a zero-harm safety culture.
  • Oversee the implementation and maintenance of traffic control and temporary traffic management (lane closures, detours, signage, flagging, ITS) ensuring compliance with MUTCD and state DOT requirements and minimizing disruption to the traveling public.
  • Manage subcontractors and specialty vendors on site: scope verification, schedule coordination, quality oversight, daily direction, and ensuring subcontractor compliance with contract documents, insurance and safety requirements.
  • Perform on-site quality assurance and quality control inspections for earthwork, compaction, subgrade preparation, asphalt paving, PCC concrete, bridge elements and drainage installations; document testing results and corrective actions.
  • Coordinate material deliveries, verify material quantities and quality at receipt, maintain material logs and ensure proper storage, handling and traceability for pay items and required testing.
  • Interpret construction plans, specifications and change orders; provide clarifications to field crews, recommend corrective actions for constructability issues, and prepare field documentation for change order requests and claims.
  • Manage equipment allocation and maintenance: schedule heavy equipment usage, monitor equipment hours and servicing, authorize rentals as needed and ensure safe operation and inspection of machinery.
  • Prepare and submit accurate daily reports, time sheets, field diaries, production logs, and photo documentation to project management and client representatives to support billing and project controls.
  • Coordinate with agency inspectors, utility owners, municipal officials and traffic operations centers to secure necessary approvals, inspections and lane closure permits and to resolve field issues in real time.
  • Monitor project budget and expenditures at the site level: track labor, materials and equipment costs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and provide input to project managers for cost forecasting and recovery.
  • Direct and participate in field problem solving for unforeseen conditions, constructability conflicts, utility conflicts, and procurement delays; escalate major issues with recommended mitigation and recovery plans.
  • Ensure environmental compliance on site including erosion and sediment control measures (SWPPP), spill prevention, wetlands protection and permit adherence; oversee corrective actions and documentation for regulatory inspections.
  • Lead workforce development: coach, mentor and train foremen and laborers on construction methods, safety standards, quality requirements and company culture to build a high-performing field team.
  • Develop and execute traffic staging plans and night/weekend work plans to optimize productivity and limit impacts to commuters while meeting contract time-of-completion requirements.
  • Manage punch lists, final inspections and project close-out activities including as-built drawings, O&M manuals, guarantees/warranties, final QC documentation and turnover to owner or maintenance teams.
  • Administer field-level subcontract change requests and help compile supporting documentation, labor/equipment rates and narrative justification for negotiation and approval with project management.
  • Conduct pre-construction and weekly coordination meetings with internal teams, subcontractors and client representatives to align on safety, schedule, quality, traffic control, materials and logistics.
  • Drive continuous improvement by capturing productivity data, implementing lessons-learned, suggesting process improvements and supporting post-project reviews focused on safety, schedule adherence and cost control.
  • Supervise the calibration, verification and coordination of field testing (nuclear density, DCP, gradation, mix designs, concrete testing) and partner with QC labs to resolve non-conformance and retesting needs.
  • Enforce workforce policies including timesheet accuracy, timekeeping discipline, site housekeeping, incident reporting, progressive discipline and positive employee engagement to retain field talent.
  • Support claims avoidance by maintaining meticulous field documentation, timely RFI submissions, photographic evidence of conditions and open communication with contract administrators.
  • Manage utility coordination and protection activities including potholing, temporary supports, sequencing around existing utilities and communication with utility providers to prevent damages and delays.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist project management and estimators with constructability reviews, scope clarifications and pre-bid site visits to provide practical field perspective on schedules and resource requirements.
  • Provide input to procurement by identifying specialized equipment needs, suggested vendor sources and lead-time requirements to avoid schedule impacts.
  • Support permitting and right-of-way coordination by preparing supporting field documentation, as-built sketches and contractor schedule inputs required by permitting agencies.
  • Help compile weekly and monthly progress narratives for client reporting and internal performance dashboards, including production trends, safety metrics and change order status.
  • Maintain and update equipment and materials inventory logs, ensuring accuracy for billing and asset-management reporting.
  • Participate in onboarding, mentoring and competency assessments for new field hires and foremen to accelerate their integration and safe performance on site.
  • Coordinate emergency response and contingency plans during incidents, extreme weather, or unanticipated utility strikes and lead the field response in cooperation with safety and client personnel.
  • Contribute to site-level training programs (e.g., QA/QC, safety refreshers, traffic control certifications) and maintain qualification records for crew members.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven knowledge of state DOT specifications, MUTCD, local permitting requirements, and the ability to interpret contract documents and technical drawings for roadway and bridge construction.
  • Strong field experience with construction sequencing for highway projects including grading, drainage, subgrade, aggregate base, asphalt paving and PCC curb, gutter and sidewalk work.
  • Traffic control planning and implementation skills including temporary traffic management, lane closures, detours, flagging operations and nightwork staging to minimize motorist impacts.
  • Competency managing QA/QC testing protocols (nuclear gauge operation, density testing, asphalt mat temperature monitoring, concrete slump and cylinder testing) and resolving non-conformance issues.
  • Scheduling and resource management skills using tools such as MS Project, Primavera P6 or integrated scheduling software to create look-ahead schedules and recovery plans.
  • Budget and cost-control skills including field-level tracking of labor, equipment and material quantities, supporting change order documentation and cost recovery.
  • Heavy equipment knowledge: operational sequencing, production rates for dozers, scrapers, excavators, pavers, rollers and milling machines, and safe equipment logistics on site.
  • Experience with SWPPP implementation, erosion control measures, environmental permit compliance and spill prevention on roadway construction sites.
  • Ability to develop and review traffic control plans, TMPs, MTCPs and to coordinate with traffic management centers and utility owners for lane closure approvals.
  • Strong documentation skills for preparing daily reports, RFI logs, change order backup, as-built documentation and photographic records for claims avoidance.
  • Familiarity with computerized timekeeping, payroll compliance, union labor rules (when applicable) and personnel scheduling for large construction crews.
  • Working knowledge of construction contract administration, shop drawing review, and field submittal processes to ensure materials and methods comply with specifications.
  • Proficiency with common field technologies (GPS grade control, drone imagery for progress tracking, mobile reporting apps) to improve accuracy and productivity.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and crew management skills with the ability to motivate, mentor and hold teams accountable in a fast-paced construction environment.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills for coordinating with clients, inspectors, subcontractors and internal project teams.
  • Decisive problem-solving and sound judgment under pressure, able to make timely field decisions that balance safety, schedule and budget.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage subcontractor performance issues, labor disputes, and stakeholder expectations.
  • High attention to detail and organizational skills to manage complex documentation, compliance records and multiple concurrent activities.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to effectively allocate resources and meet contract milestones.
  • Client-focused mindset with professional demeanor for building strong relationships with owners, agencies and community stakeholders.
  • Adaptability and resilience to manage changing project conditions, weather impacts and unanticipated site constraints.
  • Coaching and training aptitude for developing foremen and craft labor skills to improve crew productivity and safety performance.
  • Ethical conduct and integrity in managing public infrastructure projects, ensuring transparency and accountability in reporting.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED with significant on-the-job training in heavy civil or transportation construction.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field preferred but not required for candidates with extensive field experience and superintendent track record.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction Management
  • Transportation Engineering
  • Heavy Civil Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–15+ years in heavy civil, roadway, bridge or transportation construction with progressive responsibility in the field.

Preferred: Minimum 7–10 years of hands-on construction experience with at least 3–5 years as a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent on DOT-funded highway, bridge or municipal roadway projects. Demonstrated success managing crews of 20+ personnel, multiple subcontractors, nightly lane closures, and projects with complex traffic control requirements.

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