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First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Also called Construction Foreman, Construction Supervisor, Electrical Supervisor, or Roustabout Field Supervisor

What First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers do

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Who tends to enjoy it

Leading

People who like persuading, selling, starting things, and taking charge.

Organizing

People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.

Hands-on

People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.

What you'd actually do

  • Inspect work progress, equipment, or construction sites to verify safety or to ensure that specifications are met.
  • Read specifications, such as blueprints, to determine construction requirements or to plan procedures.
  • Supervise, coordinate, or schedule the activities of construction or extractive workers.
  • Assign work to employees, based on material or worker requirements of specific jobs.
  • Coordinate work activities with other construction project activities.
  • Estimate material or worker requirements to complete jobs.
  • Analyze worker or production problems and recommend solutions, such as improving production methods or implementing motivational plans.
  • Order or requisition materials or supplies.

A typical day involves

Face-to-face with people Wearing safety gear Part of a team Email Outdoors in all weather In a vehicle or enclosed equipment Around hazardous equipment Deadlines and time pressure

Skills that matter most

  • Coordination
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Reading Comprehension

What you'll need to know

  • Administration and Management
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language

Where to study for this

College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.

  • Electrician 549 colleges
  • Carpentry 271 colleges
  • Plumbing Technology 188 colleges
  • Construction Trades 122 colleges
  • Building / Property Maintenance 123 colleges
  • Building Construction Technology / Technician 165 colleges
  • Building / Construction Site Management / Manager 85 colleges
  • Pipefitting 50 colleges

Related careers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

Medium preparation

Production

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders.

Medium preparation

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Medium preparation

Office and Administrative Support

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

Medium preparation

Construction and Extraction

Electricians

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

Medium preparation

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 47-1011.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.