General Contractor

General laborers perform manual tasks that are part of the building, installation, and demolition of construction projects. Working conditions and responsibilities vary based on the project. Duties may include preparing construction sites, loading and unloading equipment or materials, and removing debris. They also install fixtures, assemble and disassemble temporary structures at the job site, handle hazardous materials, and assist contractors. They must follow all health and safety regulations to ensure the successful completion of projects. General laborers typically work contract jobs and flexible hours. This is an entry-level position with a variety of working conditions at construction sites.

A construction worker is part of a team of skilled laborers at a construction site that brings construction projects to life. They must follow specific instructions and procedures under the direction of the construction manager for a variety of tasks. Construction workers operate power tools, hand tools, and heavy equipment and manually move building materials or other physical labor. They may assist sub-contractors, tradesmen, or craft workers with tasks to ensure the construction plans, timelines, and budgets are met. They are also responsible for maintaining a clean and safe worksite, even in extreme weather conditions, by meeting strict safety regulations and requirements. Construction workers typically work full-time on building sites for builders, developers, and construction companies.

Construction surveyors measure, inspect, update, and document property boundaries using specialized surveying instruments, GPS (global positioning systems), and GIS (geographic information systems) technologies. They survey the site to gather information, provide precise measurements, and create digital maps and detailed reports. A construction surveyor advises clients, architects, and construction managers of any on-site conditions they should be aware of and performs layout work. Construction surveyors often work with construction companies or real estate development firms and split their time between construction sites and an office environment.

The construction superintendent oversees the completion of a construction project and ensures the project is delivered successfully. They collaborate with engineers and subcontractors to define a project's needs while budgeting costs. A construction superintendent negotiates with external partners, such as vendors and lawyers, to ensure the construction site’s safety and security at the job site. They often take on the role of the general contractor but also manage multiple general contractors on larger projects. A construction superintendent works on-site in a field office to efficiently supervise the building project.

A construction safety advisor works closely with project managers and construction managers to ensure all potential risk management and safety issues are addressed at construction sites. They create workplace safety programs, implement construction health and safety training programs, and run safety meetings. Construction safety advisors also conduct site risk assessments, investigate job-site safety reports, and lead incident and injury evaluations when needed. They typically work on-site for construction companies, developers, or municipalities.

A construction project manager oversees the entire building process for assigned projects from start to finish. They collaborate with clients, architects, engineers, upper management, and other project team members to determine deliverables and goals, produce a budget that aligns with the client’s expectations, organize and schedule construction, obtain permits, and negotiate vendor contracts to begin the build. Once the project is underway, they manage all general contractors and set expectations by enforcing site safety regulations and regular equipment maintenance. Construction project managers typically work off-site at a construction company office with occasional on-site visits.

A construction field assistant helps the construction manager and their staff with all aspects of a project and provides support to the team. They assist in product performance to produce the highest quality results. Responsibilities include coordinating various tasks, ensuring job-sites are clean, participating in forward planning, keeping a daily log of job site occurrences, finalizing and walking through buildings with clients, and meticulously following all safety guidelines. Construction field assistants work on construction job-sites.

A construction estimator gathers, analyzes, and prepares detailed total cost information to maximize cost-effectiveness during the construction process. They visit construction sites to gather necessary client requirement information and analyze proposals, specifications, blueprints, and construction documents to thoroughly understand the project. They work closely with construction project managers to coordinate and oversee the vendors and subcontractors bid process. The construction estimator then determines the time, labor, construction materials, and product costs for construction projects and communicates these requirements to clients. A construction estimator works in an office environment, with occasional construction site visits, and typically works with construction and development companies.

A construction building inspector ensures general public safety requirements are met by determining the structural quality of commercial buildings and residential construction projects. Before the build, they review building plans to assess adherence to contract specifications, zoning regulations, and building codes; and they measure the elevation and alignment of structures on worksites by conducting land surveys. They perform thorough building inspections for structural soundness on worksites and follow all phases of the project to be sure construction activities and methods conform to current safety standards, ordinances, and regulations. They typically work on-site when conducting inspections and in an office setting when writing reports. Construction building inspectors generally work for construction companies or for city or municipality entities.

Construction bookkeepers oversee the financial data and accounting practices of companies that work in the construction industry. They manage the general ledger and all financial transactions, oversee the accounts payables and receivables process, and maintain updated and accurate financial records, tax reports, balance sheets, annual budgets, and financial statements. Construction bookkeepers work with project managers or general contractors to ensure that accurate forecasts for timeline, budget, and costs are considered for new jobs. They ensure that all financial and transactional data and journal entries input accurately into accounting software, where it is used to maintain financial records and statements, tax reports, and annual budgets. A construction bookkeeper generally works in an office environment and may work part-time or full-time for a construction company or general contractor.

Construction administrators assist with all administrative aspects of construction projects from start to finish. They help the construction project manager ensure the project stays on track and meets quality standards. They assemble bid packages, oversee the subcontractor and vendor hiring process, and compile detailed on-site construction activity logs. Construction administrators typically work full-time for a real estate development or construction company at a construction site.

A construction administrative assistant provides administrative duties to companies in the construction industry. They work with the office manager to complete clerical, administrative, and general office tasks that support the entire construction management team. They answer phones and respond to emails from clients and vendors. They act as a point of contact and solicit quotes from vendors, subcontractors, and various construction services teams, and prepare forms such as change orders, purchase orders, service agreements, and subcontracts accordingly. The construction administrative assistant also performs general office duties such as setting up filing systems, data entry, typing, copying, ordering office supplies, and other administrative tasks for special projects. Aside from the occasional site visit, they work part-time or full-time in an office at a construction company or for companies that provide construction services.

A CAD designer uses computer software to create detailed and precise construction plans. They attend meetings with clients to understand project specifications, collaborate with the team to allocate resources, create a timeline, and draft 2D and 3D construction plans using design software, such as AutoCAD. Additional responsibilities include researching and choosing the best material properties for modeling, stress-testing models to evaluate the structure’s resiliency, communicating progress on the project with project managers and clients, and revising designs as necessary based on client feedback. CAD designers who specialize in the construction industry generally work with developers, construction companies, or architectural firms.

An architect is responsible for designing documents for construction professionals to create new buildings or restore or renovate existing buildings. They work closely with construction project managers and clients from start to finish, until the final product meets the client’s quality and budget expectations. During the design phase, they create drawings and renderings and make adjustments to the designs based on feedback. During the build, they visit building sites regularly to clarify intent and oversee quality control. Architects generally work in an office environment at their professional practice or may be employed full-time by larger development or construction companies.