CIVIL SUPERINTENDENT JOB DESCRIPTION

Ten years of verified field supervisory experience is the baseline expectation for a Civil Superintendent overseeing multi-million-dollar heavy civil scopes. Earthwork packages, OSHA-regulated safety programs, DOT project compliance, and subcontractor contract administration all converge under this single seat. Most project timelines are built around the Superintendent's three-week look-ahead schedule and the accuracy of daily field logs reported upstream to construction managers. Few roles carry this breadth of direct accountability on a live construction site.

You will own field-level execution across the full civil scope, serving as the Civil Superintendent who converts engineered drawings into completed earthwork, utility, and infrastructure systems on schedule and within budget. The position operates under the Construction Manager or Vice President of Civil Construction and carries direct authority over subcontractors, general foremen, craft labor, and site safety compliance.

Career Impact: Sustained tenure as a Civil Superintendent across DOT, industrial, or energy infrastructure projects builds the cross-sector field record that supports promotion to General Superintendent or Construction Manager within most heavy civil organizations.

Business Impact: A project's cost performance and milestone dates are set at the field level; the Superintendent's daily decision-making on sequencing, subcontractor productivity, and non-conformance resolution directly determines whether the project delivers on its contractual commitments.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to HyCO, Air Separation, solar earthworks, and linear transportation projects within a single career track positions candidates for senior field leadership roles that command a significantly broader scope and compensation ceiling.

• Develop and maintain three-week look-ahead schedules, integrating civil crew activities with subcontractor and trade sequencing to meet overall project milestones.
• Direct foremen and general foremen on daily production goals, labor methods, and equipment deployment across assigned civil scopes.
• Enforce OSHA-compliant and project-specific safety programs through daily TEAM meetings, Field-Level Risk Assessments, and regular site inspections.
• Monitor subcontractor progress and performance, reviewing pay applications, identifying non-compliance, and communicating deficiencies to the project management team.
• Coordinate survey crews, material deliveries, and equipment rentals to align resource availability with the production schedule.
• Review contract drawings and specifications to identify design conflicts, scope boundaries, and change management triggers requiring prompt communication to project controls.
• Prepare accurate daily field logs, production records, and non-conformance reports for submission to the Construction Manager.
• Mentor craft personnel and junior supervisory staff through coaching, accountability, and on-site development aligned with project safety and quality standards.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Five or more years of field supervisory experience on heavy civil or infrastructure construction projects, with demonstrated responsibility for multi-million-dollar scopes.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, site-specific safety plan administration, and regulatory compliance requirements on civil construction projects.
• Proven ability to read, interpret, and enforce contract drawings, specifications, and addenda across earthwork, drainage, utilities, or roadwork scopes.
• Experience managing subcontractors and self-perform labor, including scheduling, performance oversight, and subcontractor invoice review.
• Proficiency in construction scheduling practices, three-week look-ahead development, and integrated project schedule coordination.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting to project management, conducting site meetings, and coordinating with owners, engineers, and inspectors.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening, and to travel and work extended periods on remote or industrial project sites.

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification or current CPR/AED credential reflecting a commitment to field safety leadership.
• Experience on DOT, MDOT, or federally regulated linear transportation projects including roads, bridges, or transmission corridors.
• Familiarity with construction scheduling software such as P6, MS Project, or earned-value productivity tracking tools used on large industrial or infrastructure programs.
• LEED GA, SWPPP, or CESCL certification relevant to environmental compliance on civil project sites.

• Project schedule variance, measured against the three-week look-ahead and overall CPM baseline, reflecting the Superintendent's sequencing accuracy.
• Subcontractor compliance rate with safety and quality programs, tracked through inspection records and non-conformance report frequency.
• Daily field log completion rate, measuring reporting accuracy and timeliness for project controls and cost forecasting.
• Earned value productivity index on self-perform and subcontracted civil scopes, indicating how efficiently crews execute against budgeted labor hours.
• OSHA recordable incident rate for the supervised site, directly attributable to the Superintendent's safety program enforcement.
• Typical tools: Scheduling platforms (commonly MS Project or Primavera P6); field reporting (commonly Procore or Bluebeam).

• Base Salary Range: $95,000 to $140,000 per year, depending on scope and region
• Bonus: Project performance or discretionary annual bonus common
• Equity: Rarely offered at this level; ESOP participation at some contractors
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; family plans standard
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually; additional holiday schedule typical
• Common Perks: Per diem and travel allowance, company vehicle or truck allowance, tool stipend, OSHA and certification reimbursement

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Pre-employment background checks and drug screening are a condition of employment for all positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available upon request throughout the application and hiring process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Civil Superintendent owns the full scope of field execution across foundation drilling, substation construction, transmission lines, and utility installation, reporting directly to senior leadership. Working across heavy civil and high-voltage infrastructure projects, this role delivers schedule, budget, and compliance outcomes by coordinating labor, subcontractors, and construction reporting cycles.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement construction schedules.
• Advise on utilization of labor, equipment, and materials.
• Ensure daily, weekly, and monthly reports are completed fully, accurately, and on time.
• Conduct weekly construction meetings with stakeholders to discuss and resolve all open matters impacting project execution.
• Manage the performance of all subcontractors to ensure proper execution of scope and full compliance with contract requirements.
• Work with safety leadership and field personnel to ensure OSHA compliance and adherence to the site-specific safety plan.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred, but requirement can be waived with enough relevant project experience.
• 5+ years of relevant Heavy Civil Superintendent experience.
• Prior experience managing large construction projects in the utility and/or infrastructure industry, including high voltage projects such as substations and transmission lines.
• Prior experience representing a self-performing contractor.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including MS Project, Excel, and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of construction scheduling software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent deadline management skills.
• Ability to delegate effectively and motivate others.

Embedded within the site construction team, the Civil Superintendent coordinates discipline-specific civil activities with subcontractors and the client while keeping the Construction Manager informed of all field developments. Working closely with construction supervisory staff, planning, and project controls, this role advances safe, productive delivery of brownfield civil works within the oil and gas sector.

Core Functions

• Report to the Construction Manager.
• Co-ordinate site construction activities related to the discipline with subcontractors.
• Co-ordinate with the client on site on discipline-related construction matters while keeping the Construction Manager informed.
• Attend co-ordination meetings as required with all construction supervisory staff.
• Review resource requirements and progress with subcontractors and maintain oversight on site.
• Ensure all contractor work packs have correct content and are prepared on time to meet the client permit approval period.
• Drive productivity at site and communicate construction change management information to Project Controls and Commercial on time.
• Provide timely progress updates to planner and project controls.
• Ensure discipline-related work is carried out in a safe manner by the subcontractor.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum HNC Civil Engineering.
• Minimum SSSTS or equivalent, current and up to date.
• Experience in the oil and gas construction sector required.
• Recent experience of civil works on brownfield construction projects.
• Temporary Works coordinator experience on UK projects is desirable.
• Basic knowledge of working in a Windows environment, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Teams.

Reporting to the Construction Manager, the Civil Superintendent leads all field personnel and subcontractors across drainage, roadworks, MSE walls, wetland rehabilitation, and utility relocations to achieve on-schedule, on-budget project completion. Partnering with clients, engineers, architects, and the project delivery team, this role shapes quality workmanship outcomes across multi-disciplinary linear construction projects.

Primary Duties

• Direct all field personnel and subcontractors to achieve completion of projects on schedule, within budget, and with quality workmanship conforming to plans and specifications.
• Develop construction work methods for drainage, roadworks, MSE walls, wetland rehabilitation, and utilities relocations.
• Review and understand project drawings and identify potential changes required.
• Promote and enforce safety and environmental policies and procedures.
• Supervise and mentor construction crews.
• Communicate with clients, subcontractors, architects, stakeholders, engineers, and the project delivery team.
• Coordinate survey crews and the technical team with the construction schedule, plan equipment rentals or purchases, and coordinate material deliveries.
• Prepare a 3-week schedule and integrate it with the overall project schedule.
• Keep logs of site activity, report issues to the Construction Manager, and generate NCRs and deficiency lists as required.

Skills & Qualifications

• 10 years in a supervisory role on a multi-disciplinary construction project.
• Experience on linear projects as an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard civil construction methodologies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other project applications.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Must hold a valid driver's license.

Sitting at the intersection of solar energy construction and civil earthwork management, the Civil Superintendent leads field planning and execution of earthwork, access road construction, stormwater culvert installation, and erosion control measures across utility-scale solar projects. Operating across project sites nationwide, this role delivers schedule and quality outcomes by coordinating site crews, subcontractors, clients, and Project Managers within defined budget and safety parameters.

Duties

• Coordinate work directed in the field and ensure work is performed in accordance with plans and specifications.
• Manage a team of workers, including work schedules, project progress, and resource allocation.
• Establish and enforce job site quality control programs to ensure quality completion of construction.
• Preside over weekly meetings designed to coordinate the work.
• Maintain a daily log for job site operations and report to management as necessary.
• Collaborate with clients, Project Managers, and construction management to determine budget and timeline.
• Identify conflicts in construction progress and communicate them to the project team for resolution.
• Coordinate assigned work with site crews or subcontractors and identify subcontractor non-compliance with safety, health, and environmental standards.
• Ensure the job site is always kept in a clean and organized manner.

Experience & Qualifications

• OSHA 30 certification preferred.
• 7+ years of verifiable experience with thorough knowledge of the civil industry, including compliance with DOT, OSHA, and PHMSA regulations.
• Knowledge of construction budgeting best practices.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, safety rules, and procedure manuals.
• Experience with GPS grading systems and project reporting software preferred.
• Good organizational skills including time management, delegation, prioritization, and multitasking.
• Willingness to travel and work away from home for extended periods.

A key member of the project leadership team, the Civil Superintendent leads daily and long-range production planning across manpower scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and crew development to meet heavy civil construction goals. Collaborating across project management, field crews, and ownership stakeholders, this role builds operational consistency by enforcing safety and quality programs while mentoring staff and supporting business growth.

Functions

• Ensure Work Activity Plans are completed and implemented.
• Conduct daily TEAM meetings and maintain safe practices and procedures on the job site.
• Administer and ensure compliance with Company Safety and Quality Programs.
• Establish and adjust work procedures to meet production schedules, and prepare WIP meetings.
• Develop and communicate daily, weekly, and monthly goals to all crews.
• Coordinate subcontractors, manpower, materials, and equipment, and communicate issues to project management.
• Interview, select, train, and appraise employees, handle complaints and grievances, and maintain production records.
• Assist in representing the company to the owner at field inspections and perform third-party permit and license requirements.
• Perform project start-up and close-out, analyze and resolve challenges, mentor project staff, and assist in identifying market opportunities.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in heavy civil construction.
• Experience in budget management.
• Knowledge of activities involved in heavy civil construction operations.
• Demonstrated field leadership.
• Ability to perform effectively in a high-stress environment.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with internal and external customers.

Successful site operations across trades, subcontractors, and vendors depend on the Civil Superintendent, who manages all job site construction functions while providing hands-on field supervision and enforcing company policies, quality standards, and safety protocols. Serving as the on-site authority for scheduling, cost control, and client relationships, this role delivers project outcomes by collaborating closely with the Project Manager and all construction personnel.

Accountabilities

• Direct trades in the planning, coordination, and execution of work on time and within budget while maintaining high-quality standards of workmanship and safety.
• Ensure all company policies, procedures, and standards are enforced at the project site.
• Build and maintain solid relationships with customers, subcontractors, and owners.
• Maintain and enforce current contract documents and as-built drawings onsite.
• Plan and supervise the activities of all on-site company employees and subcontractors.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager regarding scheduling, cost control, and resources.
• Assume responsibility for all project safety.

Technical Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required, with a four-year degree in building construction or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current First Aid, CPR, and OSHA Certification preferred.
• Minimum five years of applicable construction experience, including at least two years of supervisory experience within a construction environment.
• Wood frame construction experience required.
• Good communication, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Well-developed problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

As the Civil Superintendent, this role supervises all field construction activities to ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and to the specified quality of workmanship in alignment with established contractual obligations and corporate values. The project team relies on this work to maintain CPM schedules, administer subcontractor performance, enforce safety and quality control procedures, and develop craft labor through training and accountability programs.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Examine and understand contract drawings, specifications, and addenda for design deficiencies and possible code violations.
• Ensure all required permits or licenses have been obtained.
• Create detailed daily reports, review subcontractor daily reports, and update and approve as-built drawings weekly.
• Create and maintain a monthly CPM schedule, including developing schedule recovery tactics as necessary.
• Maintain project phasing plans and schedules to ensure all parties understand workflow and milestone sequences.
• Develop and implement safety, quality control procedures, job site security, staging, and manpower requirements with the project team.
• Inspect, coordinate, direct, and manage activities of subcontractors, suppliers, and self-perform labor, and review and approve monthly pay request applications.
• Lead and develop project staff through training, personal development, and accountability, and participate in business development outreach.
• Work closely with Human Resources to hire craft and build crews.

Position Requirements

• 5+ years of experience supervising commercial construction projects.
• OSHA 30, SWPPP or CESCL, LEED GA, Lean, and CPR/AED certifications encouraged.
• Able to read and understand project documents, including plans, specifications, and contracts required.
• Able to analyze labor, material, and subcontract costs required.
• Experience managing subcontractors and self-perform labor forces.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Procore, Bluebeam, ASTA PowerProject, and SketchUp.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivation, punctuality, and ability to manage multiple tasks.

Civil Superintendent coordinates and supervises all civil discipline work activities at a large industrial construction site, supporting project management in controlling costs, monitoring labor methods, and maintaining quality within project specifications. The work directly supports overall project profitability by ensuring craft productivity, safe work environments, and timely resolution of design and specification problems in collaboration with engineers, the client, and inspectors.

Operational Focus

• Assist project management in controlling project costs and maintaining overall profitability.
• Examine project schedules and coordinate labor, materials, and equipment required for various project tasks.
• Monitor all civil work activities and instruct general foremen and foremen on labor methods and required equipment and materials.
• Assure all production work is within project specifications and continually monitor work progress and quality.
• Conduct regular meetings with craft supervision to coordinate future job activities and ensure continued productivity.
• Inspect project work activities and advise supervision of possible hazards to maintain a safe work environment.
• Coordinate with engineers, client, and inspectors to identify design or specification problems and assist in developing solutions.
• Maintain project progress and cost data to assist in analyzing work efficiency.
• Attend project safety meetings and advise craft supervision of specific work areas and conditions requiring safety attention.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 10+ years of experience in managing crews and running multi-million-dollar construction projects.
• Good reading comprehension and aptitude with manual dexterity.
• Strong communication skills with co-workers and supervisors.
• Team-oriented with ability to work collaboratively in a heavy industrial construction environment.
• Committed to safety rules and regulations.
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions, work at heights, climb ladders and stairways, and lift to 40 lbs while wearing appropriate PPE.

The Civil Superintendent produces safe, on-schedule civil construction outcomes across roads, bridges, and tunnels by promoting a Safety-First culture, developing construction work methods, and coordinating materials, equipment, and crew schedules for all civil operations. Reporting to the General Superintendent and working alongside Field Engineers and Quality Staff, this role ensures foreperson compliance, resolves design problems, and maintains daily field documentation to keep projects on budget and on schedule.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Promote, lead, and execute a Safety-First culture for all employees, subcontractors, and consultants.
• Engage in safe work plan development, hazard assessments, FLRAs, and mentorship with crew.
• Track and report project quality control, resource requirements, and customer or employee relations to the General Superintendent.
• Oversee the job site and ensure Foreperson compliance with all assignments, project policies, and procedures.
• Direct forepersons on productivity issues and monitor work performance, working with crews to overcome challenges.
• Develop construction work methods and plan materials, equipment needs, and work schedules for civil operations.
• Review daily work schedules and production with Field Engineers and the General Superintendent and update the monthly schedule.
• Document daily field activities, provide technical input to identify and resolve design problems, and coordinate inspections and testing with Quality Staff.
• Order and coordinate equipment and materials to complete production on budget and schedule.

Background & Experience

• Engineering degree or equivalent combination of technical training and related experience.
• 8-10 years minimum in a supervisory position in the construction industry, including roads, bridges, and tunnels, with DOT and MDOT project experience preferred.
• Good understanding of engineering drawings, documents, and site plans.
• Experience with engineered tools, automated systems, and remote tooling systems.
• Able to use drafting software to develop construction means and methods plans.
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Flexibility to work in both field and office environments, including weekends and night shifts.

Embedded within the field operations structure, the Civil Superintendent oversees day-to-day labor management, safety enforcement, subcontractor scheduling, and material ordering across multiple simultaneous construction projects, reporting to the Vice President of Civil Construction. Working closely with project managers, general contractors, owners, and vendors, this role develops client relationships and advances project delivery by maintaining scope boundaries, approving invoices, and coordinating field operations conference calls.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of assigned projects, including labor management, safety protocol enforcement, and ensuring all personnel are on-site and ready.
• Review and approve Daily Foreman's Reports and submit to the office.
• Collaborate with the management team to align and schedule manpower, and communicate layoffs at appropriate times to avoid additional costs.
• Communicate upcoming equipment needs, report mechanical issues, ensure Field Work Orders are completed, and maintain regular equipment maintenance checks.
• Handle all material ordering from approved POs, communicate with vendors, and review and approve all consumable purchases made by foremen.
• Schedule all subcontractors from approved POs, review and approve subcontractor invoices before office submission, and lead operations conference calls per project.
• Coordinate with the GC or owner on site, coordinate timing for inspectors and deliveries, and communicate schedule updates to the PM and office.
• Manage scope boundaries, require written directives before performing out-of-scope work, and ensure all AWAs are signed and uploaded.

Professional Experience

• Versed in all aspects of the construction management process.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to develop and maintain client relationships and properly administer construction contracts.
• Above-average computer skills.
• Strong communication, organizational, and client-relations skills.
• Ability to work flexibly across project types and locations.

Reporting to the Manager of Construction, the Civil Superintendent oversees field construction execution across HyCO, Air Separation, and process gas technology projects, with primary responsibility for safety performance, quality, schedule, and cost objectives. Partnering with subcontractors, inspectors, and the project team, this role advances zero-incident safety culture, administers multiple construction contracts, and leads system turnover and commissioning handoffs for complex heavy industrial facilities.

Ownership Areas

• Drive and implement a progressive safety program with the goal of zero incidents.
• Plan and coordinate the activities of multiple subcontractors, leading contracts to ensure safety, quality, and schedule.
• Clear execution obstacles to provide opportunities for subcontractors to be successful.
• Analyze contractor progress and quickly identify deficiencies.
• Lead RFIs and CCOs and mitigate cost and schedule issues.
• Collaborate with the project team, subcontractors, and inspectors professionally and encouragingly.
• Report and forecast progress utilizing construction efficiency software.
• Execute Job Safety Assessments, Safety Audits, Quality Assurance, and Progress Measurement work practices.
• Provide daily updates and weekly reports covering safety, quality, contract administration, and progress issues.
• Lead the turnover of completed construction systems and commissioned systems.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Construction Engineering, or equivalent combination of industry experience and education.
• 10+ years of heavy industrial construction experience.
• A track record of success in safety, quality, contract management, planning, and progress tracking.
• Construction experience with Air Separation Units or Steam-Methane Reformers is a plus.
• Crane lift supervision experience is a plus.
• Experience with P6, MS Project, Earned Value schedules, Productivity Tracking, or Go Completions.
• Proven leadership and social skills.
• Strong dedication to employee involvement, team building, and diversity.