Description
Concrete finisher supervisors monitor the concrete finishing process. They assign tasks to finishers and take quick decisions to resolve problems. They may also pass on their skills to apprentices.
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to concrete finisher supervisor:
flooring operative supervisor
floor finishing supervisor
power floater supervisor
wet concrete finishing supervisor
concrete flooring operative supervisor
concrete floor finishing supervisor
powerfloat finisher supervisor
concrete finishing and laying supervisor
concrete floor finishing and laying supervisor
concrete layer supervisor
layer and finisher supervisor
concrete finishing supervisor
Minimum qualifications
A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a concrete finisher supervisor.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Concrete finisher supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.
Concrete finisher supervisor career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to concrete finisher supervisor.
water conservation technician supervisor
insulation supervisor
roofing supervisor
paperhanger supervisor
terrazzo setter supervisor
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of concrete finisher supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of concrete finisher supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
construction general contractor
quantity surveyor
installation engineer
construction manager
property developer
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of concrete finisher supervisor.
- Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
- Check compatibility of materials: Make sure the materials are fit to be used together, and if there are any foreseeable interferences.
- Manage health and safety standards: Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company’s health and safety programmes.
- Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
- Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
- Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
- Plan surface slope: Make sure the planned surface has the necessary slope to prevent puddling of water or fluids.
- Inspect supplied concrete: Check the quantity and quality of delivered concrete. Make sure that the concrete will withstand any expected pressures.
- Ensure compliance with construction project deadline: Plan, schedule and monitor the building processes in order to ensure completion of the project by the set deadline.
- Prevent damage to utility infrastructure: Consult utility companies or plans on the location of any utility infrastructure that may interfere with a project or be damaged by it. Take the necessary steps to avoid damage.
- Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
- Inspect concrete structures: Visually inspect a concrete structure to see if it is structurally sound. Check for different types of cracks, such as those due to reinforcement corrosion, impact damage or high water content.
- Plan shifts of employees: Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.
- Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
- Evaluate employees work: Evaluate the need for labour for the work ahead. Evaluate the performance of the team of workers and inform superiors. Encourage and support the employees in learning, teach them techniques and check the application to ensure product quality and labour productivity.
- Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
- Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
- Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
- Monitor concrete curing process: Monitor the process where the poured concrete cures or sets. Make sure the concrete does not dry too quickly, which may cause cracking. Rehumidify the concrete when called for.
- Interpret 3d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
- Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
- Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
- Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
- Interpret 2d plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
- Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of concrete finisher supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Types of concrete forms: The shapes, construction methods and purposes of different types of concrete forms, including special forms like sliding and climbing formwork. Suitable materials for forms and any products or coatings used to enhance the properties of the form.
- Energy performance of buildings: Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.
- Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
- Building codes: The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.
- Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.
- Crane load charts: Understand crane load charts which detail the features of the crane and how its lift capacity varies depending on distance and angle.
- Energy efficiency: Field of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the demand, encouraging efficient use of fossil fuels, and promoting the use of renewable energy.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of concrete finisher supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
- Apply proofing membranes: Apply specialised membranes to prevent penetration of a structure by dampness or water. Securely seal any perforation to preserve the damp-proof or waterproof properties of the membrane. Make sure any membranes overlap top over bottom to prevent water from seeping in. Check the compatibility of multiple membranes used together.
- Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
- Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
- Use sander: Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
- Apply finish to concrete: Finish concrete using a variety of techniques like polishing and acid staining.
- Pour concrete: Pour concrete into a form from a mixer truck chute, hopper or hose. Pour the correct amount to balance efficiency with the risk of the concrete not setting completely.
- Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
- Mix concrete: Use compact concrete mixers or various ad-hoc containers such as wheelbarrows to mix concrete. Prepare the correct quantities of cement, water, aggregate and optional added ingredients, and mix the ingredients until an homogenous concrete is formed.
- Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
- Remove concrete forms: Remove concrete forms after the concrete has cured fully. Recuperate materials if possible, cleaning it and taking the right steps to store it for later reuse.
- Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
- Place concrete forms: Set up forms out of wood, plywood, various plastics, or other suitable materials to form concrete into supportive columns or walls. Place sheathing delineating the shape of the planned structure and use supportive constructions, usually incorporating wales, cleats and stakes, to keep the sheathing firmly in place as the concrete cures.
- Drive mobile heavy construction equipment: Drive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.
- Provide technical expertise: Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.
- Negotiate supplier arrangements: Reach an agreement with the supplier upon technical, quantity, quality, price, conditions, storage, packaging, send-back and other requirements related to the purchasing and delivering process.
- Screed concrete: Smooth the surface of freshly poured concrete using a screed.
- Plan scaffolding: Plan the construction of the scaffolding, based on the nature of the project, the environment, and the available resources. Apply knowledge of scaffolding standards and load bearing properties of the components and joints to make a decision on the structure of the build. Develop adequate and comprehensive instructions to put up the scaffolding construction.
- Apply wood finishes: Use a variety of techniques to finish wood. Paint, varnish and stain wood to improve its function, durability, or appearance.
- Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
- Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
- Operate concrete mixer truck: Work with concrete mixer trucks. Drive the truck and operate controls. Keep track of time. Take the necessary steps to evacuate the concrete upon arrival at the site, either alone using a full range chute, or with help when using a rear chute.
- Guide concrete hose: Guide the concrete hose while the pump is operating. Make sure to distribute the concrete efficiently and securely.
ISCO group and title
3123 – Construction supervisors
References
- Concrete finisher supervisor – ESCO