What Does an Assistant Construction Superintendent Do?
Assistant construction superintendents help oversee the building of houses, offices, schools, roads, bridges, and other projects. They work closely with the superintendent to manage construction sites. Some of their key responsibilities include scheduling, supervising workers, and meeting with clients. Assistant construction superintendents need to have solid communication skills and be able to work well with others.
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National Average Salary
Assistant construction superintendent salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for an Assistant Construction Superintendent is:
$63,550
Assistant Construction Superintendent Job Descriptions
The first step in the search for an exceptional assistant construction superintendent is a well-crafted job description. Below we have multiple real-world examples to get you started and set the foundation for attracting the exact talent your team needs.
Example 1
Assistant construction superintendents work closely with the superintendent to help manage construction sites. Some of their key responsibilities include managing schedules, supervising workers, meeting with clients, and budgeting. In order to fulfill this position efficiently, the assistant construction superintendent must work well with others and possess exceptional communication skills. [Your Company Name] is hiring an experienced assistant construction superintendent to help oversee construction projects. If you have experience in construction and an in-depth knowledge of health and safety laws, this position at our company could be the perfect fit.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Create work schedules
- Help supervise construction workers
- Conduct health and safety inspections
- Monitor progress on projects
- Meet deadlines
- Meet and confer with clients
Education and experience
Assistant construction superintendents need to earn a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or vocational school program would be helpful, ideally in a construction-related field. Employers usually offer on-the-job training for their specific needs.
Required skills and qualifications
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
- Time-management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
- Knowledge of health and safety laws
- Outstanding decision-making skills
- Calm, professional demeanor
- Ability to multitask
- Keen attention to detail
Preferred qualifications
- Exceptionally responsible
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Ability to oversee construction sites to ensure projects are completed smoothly and safely
- Meet client and customer expectations
- Be able to multitask and build positive relationships with clients and crew members
- Prior experience as a construction foreman or equivalent role
Example 2
What you’ll do
The Assistant Construction Superintendent is a “hands-on, on-site” role. The Assistant Construction Superintendent works closely with the Construction Superintendent and trades to ensure adherence to the construction schedule and support the overall new Homebuyer satisfaction with their new home.
Your key responsibilities include
- Assistant Construction Superintendent with all construction activities
- Assist with direction for all field personnel to complete the project on schedule, within budget, and with quality workmanship that conforms to original plans and specifications
- Help maintain construction schedule, identify problems and provide solutions, emphasizing Cycle Time adherence
- Orders materials and schedules inspections as necessary throughout the process
- Assist with house starts within prescribed budgets, validating work completed before vendor payment. Properly negotiate the best value when Variance Purchase Orders (VPOs) are required, along with obtaining authorization for reporting Superintendent for any indirect construction expenses necessary to manage the job site
- Ensures compliance of development, architectural, and engineering plans and specifications
- Assist in the preparation and filing of contractor’s paperwork
- Ensure purchase orders are promptly processed
- Use scheduling software and update tasks as directed by the community Construction Superintendent
- Maintain constant quality control inspection on all job phases as directed by Construction Superintendent
- Keep Construction Superintendents informed of subcontractor personnel, the amount of work accomplished, and whether the subcontractor is on schedule
- Ensure homes are 100% ready at QA Day 1 and ensure homes are 100% ready and clean on the day of the Pre-Closing Orientation (PCO)
- Manage a community for short periods if the Construction Superintendent is absent
- Handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while remaining calm and positive
- Check for safety violations of all job site workers daily
- Help maintain the materials list posted in the construction office trailer
- Be familiar with the Safety and Construction Standards manuals
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned
What you have
- Experience in scheduling, ordering, field supervision, quality control
- Efficiency in handling multiple projects and working in a fast-paced environment while being calm and positive
- Proficiency with blueprints
- Effective with managers and employees at all levels
- Proactive at developing positive relationships and productive culture
- Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to get along with diverse personalities
- A “roll-up-your-sleeves” personality and is comfortable working “hands-on” when necessary
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to adapt to changing environments
- Attention to detail
- Very organized with a systematic approach to achieving accuracy and efficiency
- Proficient in Microsoft applications (Excel, Word)
- Previous experience with BuildPro construction software is a plus
Your education and experience
- High School diploma or GED
- Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Construction Management is preferred but not required
- 2+ years of experience in the Construction / Homebuilding industry
- OSHA 10/30 Construction qualification preferred
- Familiarity with Hyphen Solutions applications (BuildPro/SupplyPro) is preferred but not required
Example 3
Responsibilities
- Assists the project Superintendent and Project Manager by performing a variety of tasks in support of construction activities. Duties may differ depending on the specialty area
- Must hold all applicable licenses and/or certificates as required by governmental, regional, or project contractual requirements
- Responsible for and ensures project safety compliance
- Must be knowledgeable of applicable safety riders for the area of responsibility
- Activities may include inspection of engineering installations for compliance with specifications; maintaining project documentation
- Relies on general to moderately complex knowledge of procedures, company policies, and business practices to plan and accomplish goals
- At this level, incumbents normally can handle a wide range of relatively complex protocols; viewed as fully competent within the limits of experience
- Works under general supervision
Minimum requirements
- High School Diploma/GED and 4 years of progressive experience as an Assistant Superintendent or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in construction from a large General Contractor working with vertical construction
- Experience with the oversight of subcontractors and building trades
- Experience with construction documentation
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
- Experience with CMIC or other construction applications
- Experience working as a tradesperson on a construction site
Example 4
Responsibilities
- Assist the superintendent in overseeing daily operations of the construction site
- Ensure safety, compliance, and quality regulations are strictly followed
- Directly supervise crews for specific tasks or roles
- Manage job site clean-up and housekeeping with subcontractors
- Assist the superintendent and subcontractors with the layout
- Managing site security
- Collect daily reports, manpower, and safety documentation from subcontractors
- Have a team player mentality to help where needed
Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of experience in construction-related work
- A high school diploma or GED required
- Able to operate construction equipment (forklift, lifts, demolition equipment)
- Strong communication skills
- Able to read construction documents
- Familiar with regulatory construction standards
- Must be able to work outdoors for extended periods of time
- Able to move and lift weights up to 50 pounds, able to climb ladders, scaffolding, etc. (activities typically required in construction work)
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Basic math and computer skills
- Skilled in managing people
- Maintain a professional attitude and appearance
Candidate Certifications to Look For
- EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) – The EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) is a comprehensive, equipment-specific safety program designed to provide operators and their employees with a thorough understanding of best risk management practices. Industry accidents can often be avoided through the utilization of proper risk management techniques.
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM) – The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) demonstrates a candidate’s ability to manage costs and safely deliver projects on time. The CMM provides professional services which apply effective management techniques to the planning, design, and construction of a project from inception to completion to control time, cost, and quality. Candidates must meet education and experience requirements and pass a technical exam. Candidates must also complete a self-study course that covers topics related to construction managers, including the manager’s role, legal issues, and risk allocation. Renewal is required every 3 years.
How to Hire an Assistant Construction Superintendent
There are a number of initial considerations when hiring an assistant construction superintendent:
- Recruiting: Do you have the internal resources and tools to source and recruit for this role successfully?
- Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid, or even junior-level skills suffice?
- Duration: Is this a one-time project, or an indefinite need?
- Management: Do you have the time and expertise to direct the work effectively?
- Urgency: Are there any deadlines associated with this need?
- Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?
Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. There are countless great options available for every situation, no matter how unique. Here are the options to consider when hiring an assistant construction superintendent:
1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)
The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.
This is the best route to take when:
- You need to fill the position quickly
- You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
- Your position is suited for temporary hiring services, contract staffing, or contract-to-hire recruiting, and you intend to direct the work activity.
- You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff.
- You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
2. Advertise your opening on a top job board
Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.
We recommend using a job board when:
- Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
- You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
- You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
- You are prepared to respond to all applicants
We recommend using CareerBuilder when hiring an assistant construction superintendent:
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.
3. Leverage your internal resources
You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.
A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.
Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.
We recommend these options when:
- Your brand has great name recognition
- You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
- You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
- You have an effective employee referral program in place
If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.
Sample Interview Questions
- What motivates you at work?
- What qualities does a good assistant construction superintendent have?
- What are your most important responsibilities and duties as an assistant construction superintendent?
- Do you have strong written and verbal communication skills?
- Are you good at multitasking?
- How do you ensure organization on project sites?
- How do you educate on-site personnel regarding safety procedures and how do you ensure their safety?
- In your experience, what is the key to developing a good relationship with clients and workers?
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- How did you manage daily field reports for the construction projects of previous employers?
- How do you ensure staying within budget?
- Do you work well under pressure?
- How do you keep your work organized?
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it?
- How well do you know the health and safety laws?
