Job Roles For Construction Workers

22 Common Job Titles in Construction

By Indeed Editorial Team

October 5, 2021

Moving a construction project from idea to completion requires a variety of trained professionals. Some positions follow the project from beginning to end, such as supervisory roles, while other roles are necessary for a single phase or task. From management to skilled employees, each person on the job site has a unique set of skills and responsibilities. In this article, we define many of the job titles in the construction industry.

What are the levels of job titles in construction?

There are three levels of workers across the various roles in the construction industry:

Upper management: Sometimes termed construction officers, upper management works on initial planning and design and in supervisory roles.
Middle management: Middle management, or construction managers, oversee the day-to-day operations of a construction project.
Construction workers: Construction workers are either general laborers or trained in a certain trade or specialty, such as plumbing, and perform the physical labor on a construction site.

Common job titles in the construction industry

Here are 22 of the most common construction job titles:

Civil engineer

Civil engineers design, plan and maintain infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, dams, buildings and airports. They estimate the types and quantities of materials needed and determine any environmental impact the project may have. Civil engineers may also develop temporary structures used during a construction project. A civil engineer needs a bachelor's degree and a state license as a Professional Engineer.

Related: 12 Jobs in Construction That Pay Well

Safety engineer

A safety engineer designs processes and systems to create safe working and operating conditions for crews, customers and the environment. They also ensure that projects are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations, including permitting and inspections. Safety engineers must use their knowledge of construction and health sciences to determine any potential risks associated with items including:

Chemicals
Machinery
Furniture
Illnesses
Safety equipment

Construction engineer

A construction engineer designs, plans, manages and constructs infrastructure projects. While similar in scope to civil engineers, construction engineers are generally on-site to oversee the construction of their projects, which can include:

Roads
Bridges
Railroads
Utilities

Read more: What Is Construction Engineering?

Structural engineer

Structural engineers focus on the structural integrity of construction projects such as buildings, bridges and roads. They also create plans and processes to maintain and reinforce these structures over time. Most structural engineers earn a Bachelor's Degree in Structural Engineering or Civil Engineering. Some may also pursue a master's degree.

Architect

Architects design buildings and work closely with the construction team during the building process. They communicate with clients and create building plans, like sketches, renderings or models, to meet client needs and comply with any local, state or federal regulations. Due to the high level of expertise and safety protocols required, architects must earn a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and obtain a license through their state licensing board.

Chief construction officer

A chief construction officer oversees the planning, processes and staff associated with an organization's construction project. Many companies prefer chief construction officers to hold a Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or a related field.

Senior construction manager

Senior construction managers, also called site managers, supervise the construction team and interact with project partners, such as suppliers and other service providers. Construction managers report to the project manager and are responsible for the following tasks:

Coordinating project schedules
Tracking material ordering and delivery
Reporting to upper-level management about project status and scope
Communicating to clients
Documenting compliance protocols
Hiring subcontractors

Read more: How To Become a Construction Manager

Building services director

Building services directors manage the design, installation and management of essential services found in buildings, including:

Water, electricity and gas
Lighting, heating and air conditioning systems
Security systems
Elevator or escalator systems

Superintendent

Superintendents on construction sites manage day-to-day functions and serve as the direct contact for on-site employees. Some employers may require superintendents to hold a bachelor's degree or technical certifications, while others may hire based on experience. Superintendents perform the following duties:

Hiring skilled employees
Managing schedules
Communicating and enforcing on-site safety measures
Consulting on project timelines
Evaluating and approving work completed by employees and subcontractors
Maintaining labor and material costs
Tracking material inventory

Project manager

Project managers oversee all aspects of a project, from initial design planning to completion. Project managers work to keep a construction project on schedule and within budget. Other project management tasks can include:

Hiring the construction manager
Assisting in project design and planning, including material estimates, scheduling and staffing
Creating project benchmarks
Overseeing the construction manager and daily site operations
Leading the final project stages, such as final inspections and building opening
Managing the project timeline
Communicating with other management and stakeholders

Assistant project manager

Assistant project managers support the project manager with tasks, including:

Procuring all necessary materials
Initiating and finalizing contracts
Enforcing safety measures
Managing budget

Construction assistant

Construction assistants help organize and manage project sites by:

Cleaning the site
Preparing materials for use, such as pipes and wood
Discarding waste
Prepping job sites or specific surfaces for work
Assisting with measuring, leveling and spacing

Safety manager

Safety managers visit construction sites to ensure the working environment is safe and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. They ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations and educate the construction team on ways to improve the health and safety of the job site.

Construction foreman

A construction foreman leads the work crew. They are responsible for managing employees and overseeing daily productivity.

Equipment operator

Equipment operators drive and operate construction-class vehicles required on a project site, such as excavators, dump trucks, cranes and concrete mixers. Equipment operators may also perform the following functions:

Understanding and adhering to all equipment safety guidelines
Performing routine maintenance on construction equipment
Ensuring equipment is in safe, working condition

Estimator

Estimators prepare schedule, labor and material estimates. Estimators work with all applicable documents, such as sketches, blueprints, reports and proposals, to determine the number of goods and services a project requires.

Field engineer

Field engineers oversee construction sites. They typically hold a bachelor's degree and have several years of construction experience. Field engineers perform the following functions:

Directing work crews
Evaluating and reporting project status
Ensuring project specifications are met
Verifying all stages of the project meet local, state and national regulations

Inspector

Inspectors evaluate construction sites to verify that all structures comply with building and zoning ordinances. Inspectors visit sites frequently and report their findings to any relevant agencies. They can issue citations for code violations or stop work due to safety hazards. Many construction projects require inspections at certain points before progress can continue.

Surveyor

Surveyors make precise measurements of property boundaries. Many industries, including construction, rely on these measurements to plan renovations or new projects.

Scheduler

Schedulers manage the timing of construction projects, including:

Handling employee schedules
Maintaining project timelines
Sharing status reports

General laborer

General laborers should be in good physical health due to the demanding work required. They may need to lift heavy objects, operate heavy machinery and work in extreme weather conditions. General laborers perform a wide variety of physical tasks on a construction site, including:

Clearing debris and waste from the job site
Preparing worksites and materials
Operating smaller tools, such as jackhammers
Directing traffic around work sites
Loading, unloading and organizing materials
Assembling temporary structures, such as scaffolding

Skilled construction workers

Skilled construction workers are specially trained tradespeople responsible for specific tasks on a job site. Skilled construction workers may include:

Carpenters: Carpenters create and install the wood structures and components on construction sites, such as door and window frames and cabinets.
Electricians: Electricians install, maintain and repair the electrical systems in homes or buildings using specialized tools and equipment. Some states require electricians to obtain a license.
Ironworkers: Ironworkers prepare and install iron and steel products.
Joiners: Joiners craft wood structures, such as doors and staircases, and work closely with carpenters.
Plumbers: Plumbers install and maintain pipes, drainage systems, fittings and fixtures in commercial and residential buildings.
Painters: These professionals paint the interior and exterior of commercial and residential structures.
Pipefitters: Pipefitters use specialized equipment to prepare and attach pipes to walls and other structures.
Signal workers: Signal workers install, repair and maintain railroad and other crossing signals.
Roofers: Roofers prepare, install and maintain roofs for commercial and residential projects.
Welders: Welders specialize in measuring, assembling, fusing, attaching and fabricating metal structures.
Drywall installers: These professionals prepare, fasten and install drywall sheets for building construction. They may also remove old drywall and fit window and door frames.

Discover Indeed's top resources for construction talent including career advice, sample resumes, job search quick links and more.

Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/job-titles-in-construction

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