WHAT DOES A FIELD SUPERINTENDENT DO?

Published: Mar 21, 2025 - The Field Superintendent oversees installation quality and compliance with customer expectations, conducting on-site evaluations and managing communication regarding floor preparation and installation schedules. This role coordinates multiple job sites, balancing personnel, project resources, and schedules, while utilizing architectural blueprints to guide installation requirements. This position enhances customer relationships and maintains ILG quality standards through diligent site management, material tracking, and effective communication with subcontractors and field managers.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Field Superintendent

1. Field Superintendent Duties

  • Budget Management: Maintain strict adherence to the budgetary guidelines, quality, and safety standards.
  • Compliance Enforcement: Enforce compliance with all project procedures, safety program requirements, and work rules.
  • Certificate of Occupancy Knowledge: Maintain a current working knowledge of the Certificate of Occupancy process in those communities where performing work.
  • Construction Coordination: Coordinate the construction effort in the field to ensure that the project is completed in accordance with design, budget, schedule, and customer objectives.
  • Project Scheduling: Ensure that construction activities progress according to a pre-determined schedule.
  • Subcontractor & Vendor Management: Work directly with all subcontractors and vendors to ensure quality control, cost control, and adherence to the construction schedule.
  • Site Security & Safety Compliance: Ensure project site and company assets are secure and maintain a safe and respectful working environment at all times by implementing safety (OSHA) and risk management standards.
  • Punch List Completion: Complete punch list items in a time frame consistent with the customer’s requirements and the project budget.
  • Deficiency Reporting: Complete deficiency reports on a timely basis.
  • Subcontractor Scheduling: Prepare subcontractor work schedules as necessary and provide input to the Construction Superintendent in preparing and updating Project Construction schedules to ensure timely completion.
  • General Construction Support: Perform any relevant duties as assigned by the Construction Superintendent.

2. Field Superintendent Details

  • Construction Assistance: Assist in all construction functions to effectively rehab homes to be clean, safe, functional, and up to code.
  • Vendor Relations: Represent the company to current or prospective vendors in a courteous and professional manner with a focus on putting the customer first.
  • Home Function & Pricing Knowledge: Understand the basic functions of the home and knowledge of pricing for repair.
  • Home Scoping: Effectively scope a home to ensure it is aesthetically upgraded enough to lease while all functions of the home are working appropriately for tenants.
  • Repair & Maintenance Coordination: Assist in the organization of repairs and maintenance across Up&Up’s portfolio.
  • Documentation & Organization: Maintain good organizational skills and practices to thoroughly document the rehab lifecycle.
  • Vendor & Accounting Coordination: Work with local vendors and accounting to ensure all proper documentation is received to pay for home services.
  • Construction Communication: Maintain consistent communication with ancillary services to ensure no delays in construction occur.
  • Property Inspections: Perform routine inspections of properties when needed.
  • Rehab Process Documentation: Assist in communication and documentation of the rehab process and store all necessary documents correctly.
  • Subcontractor Accountability: Ensure accountability of subcontractors by communicating installation deficiencies to the Field Manager.

3. Field Superintendent Responsibilities

  • Installation Evaluation: Evaluate installation in progress and ensure it meets quality requirements and customer expectations.
  • Job Site Assessment: Communicate job site assessments verbally and in writing to address floor preparation issues and facilitate the installation schedule.
  • Resource and Personnel Management: Assess and balance personnel and project needs and resources.
  • Schedule Management: Manage schedules to cover multiple job sites.
  • Blueprint and Plan Interpretation: Utilize architectural blueprints and plans to assess installation requirements.
  • Site Communication and Transportation: Safely drive company vehicles to multiple job sites, communicating progress and needs with the field office.
  • Project Tracking: Track progress of each job, taking pictures when needed.
  • Meeting and Subcontractor Coordination: Attend all necessary meetings and communicate regularly with subcontractors.
  • Customer Relations: Develop and maintain customer relations by assisting Field Managers with daily tasks and duties to ensure ILG Quality Assurance exceeds industry expectations.
  • Material Tracking and Procurement: Track and procure materials while assisting customer service.
  • Job Site Oversight: Assist in overlooking job sites and job site cleanliness to ensure ILG quality standards are met.
  • Material Verification and Storage: Verify that leftover materials are stored appropriately in the home or that excessive materials are returned to the warehouse.
  • Job Lot Status Communication: Communicate with both the customer and Field Manager to update job lot status.

4. Field Superintendent Job Summary

  • Project Communication: Report directly to the Project Manager and clearly communicate daily goals and progress both in written and verbal form daily.
  • Safety Oversight: Perform daily safety meetings and oversee all safety programs on the assigned job site.
  • Meeting Participation: Attend and participate in all construction meetings, planning and coordination meetings, BIM meetings, and other meetings with clients, GCs, and subcontractors/consultants as assigned.
  • Construction and Fabrication Management: Manage all construction and fabrication processes for proper installation of all equipment, systems, and materials according to contract documents and in compliance with company policy and procedure.
  • Operational Coordination: Coordinate operational details, including ordering, inventory control, and budgeting.
  • Staffing and Scheduling Management: Manage staffing, scheduling, and housing of all crew-level installers on-site by project.
  • Performance Management: Manage staff performance and provide ongoing feedback and evaluation to both staff and leadership.
  • Quality Assurance Management: Manage the Quality Assurance program, including daily logs of work performed and all record drawings coordination.
  • Staff Turnover Management: Manage staff turnover.
  • Project Assistance: Assist the Project Manager from the beginning of the job to completion.
  • Measurement Documentation: Take and document measurements.
  • Project Estimation Support: Assist with project estimates.
  • Material Ordering and Inspection: Order materials and inspect deliveries.

5. Field Superintendent Overview

  • Site Safety Management: Review site safety plan, abate all hazards, plan, and assist with upcoming safety needs.
  • Project Cost and Budget Control: Assist PM in ensuring projects progress in a cost-effective manner and within budget, per schedule, safely, and at the targeted level of workmanship.
  • Production Report Review: Assist Foremen in reviewing Production Reports on a timely basis.
  • Project Scheduling: Understand and manage project schedules.
  • Construction Advisory: Advise Foremen on construction, current production, workmanship, and safety issues.
  • Scheduling Coaching: Coach Foremen in three-week look-ahead scheduling.
  • Best Practices Implementation: Promote, stimulate, and enforce the implementation of DMI’s Best Practices in the field.
  • Best Practices Development: Participate actively in the formulation of Best Practices by the QSC.
  • Client Communication: Communicate with clients to set expectations and timelines.
  • Project Information Relay: Relay project information to subcontractors and PJ crews.
  • Material Transport: Handle material transport to and from sites.
  • Equipment Log Maintenance: Maintain equipment log.
  • Safety Compliance: Uphold safety requirements to avoid risks.
  • Contractor and Client Follow-Up: Follow up with contractors and/or clients to ensure satisfaction.