Road construction supervisor

Description

A road construction supervisor is a key professional responsible for overseeing and managing various aspects of road construction projects. They play a critical role in ensuring that road construction projects are executed efficiently, safely, and in compliance with engineering standards and project specifications. Road construction supervisors work closely with project managers, engineers, and construction crews to coordinate activities, monitor progress, and ensure the successful completion of road construction projects.

Here are some of the duties of a road construction supervisor:

  • Supervising road construction work on a job site
  • Ensuring that all safety regulations are followed and that the construction work remains smooth and efficient by organizing workflows and monitoring staff
  • Directing, training, and assisting lower-level construction workers
  • Preparing construction reports and compiling construction records
  • Ensuring that all equipment is functioning properly and preparing work schedules
  • Conducting reviews for personnel performance and evaluating employee performance
  • Conferring with management or subordinates to resolve worker problems, complaints, or grievances

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to road construction supervisor:

road construction foreman
supervisor of road construction
road construction project supervisor
supervisor, highways
highway construction supervisor
clerk of works
supervisor of road construction operations
road construction clerk of works
surfacing supervisor

Working conditions

Road construction supervisors work primarily on construction sites, which can involve outdoor work in varying weather conditions and environments. The work may involve physical labor, including lifting, bending, and operating equipment. They must adhere to strict safety protocols, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and following safety guidelines to minimize risks. Road construction supervisors often work long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to meet project deadlines and address any unexpected issues or emergencies. They may need to travel between different project sites and spend considerable time on-site to oversee construction activities effectively.

Minimum qualifications

The educational requirements for road construction supervisors typically include a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some employers may prefer candidates with post-secondary education in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field. Significant experience in road construction and a proven track record of successful project completion are essential. Road construction supervisors should have a solid understanding of construction principles, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements related to road construction. Strong leadership and communication skills are necessary to effectively coordinate and manage construction crews. Certification in construction project management or other relevant certifications may be beneficial. Knowledge of construction software, project scheduling tools, and cost estimation techniques is advantageous.

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.

Road construction supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Road construction supervisor career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to road construction supervisor.

bridge construction supervisor
crane crew supervisor
rail construction supervisor
terrazzo setter supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of road construction supervisor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of road construction supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

construction general contractor
installation engineer
quantity surveyor
construction manager
water treatment plant manager

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of road construction supervisor.

  • Types of asphalt coverings: Different types of asphalt covering, based on their bitumen content and composition. The strengths, weaknesses, and price points of each type. Special properties such as porosity, resistance to skidding and noise characteristics.
  • Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.
  • Mechanical systems: Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of road construction supervisor.

  • Conduct quality control analysis: Conduct inspections and tests of services, processes, or products to evaluate quality.
  • 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.
  • Inspect construction sites: Ensure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
  • Secure working area: Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.
  • Plan resource allocation: Plan future needs of various resources such as time, money and specific process resources.
  • 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.
  • Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
  • React to events in time-critical environments: Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.
  • 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.
  • Guide operation of heavy construction equipment: Guide a colleague in operating a piece of heavy construction equipment. Follow the operation closely and understand when feedback is called for. Use communication techniques like voice, two-way radio, agreed-upon gestures and whistles to signal the appropriate information to the operator.
  • Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
  • Coordinate construction activities: Coordinate the activities of several construction workers or crews to make sure they do not interfere with each other and to ensure that the works are done in a timely manner. Keep up to date on the progress of the teams and update the schedule if called for.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of road construction supervisor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Construction product regulation: Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
  • Types of membranes: The materials used for the drumhead of membranophone musical instruments include animal skin, plastic and synthetic fibers such as aramid fibers.
  • Machinery load capacity: The maximum load capacity of the operated piece of machinery, under different circumstances and in different positions and movements. Passive load capacity and active load capacity, which is measure while in motion.
  • Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.
  • Asphalt mixes: The properties, advantages and disadvantages of asphalt mixes such as Marshall and Superpave mixes and the way they are best applied.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of road construction supervisor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
  • Remove road surface: Remove an existing road surface. Use the appropriate machinery or coordinate with machine operators to assist in the excavation of asphalt or concrete road coverings.
  • Lay base courses: Lay the stabilising courses that support a road. Lay the road base, which enhances the drainage properties of the road, and a sub-base if called for. Use the correct material for this, usually a mix of aggregates or local secondary materials, sometimes with some binding agents added.
  • 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.
  • Work safely with hot materials: Take care when handling hot materials. Wear the right protective clothing and take care not to burn yourself or others, damage equipment, or create fire hazards.
  • Liaise with local authorities: Maintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.
  • Liaise with financiers: Liaise with people willing to finance the project. Negotiate deals and contracts.
  • Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
  • Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
  • Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
  • Inspect drainage channels: Maintain and clear gutters, sewer systems, and other water carrying facilities to ensure proper drainage and prevent damage to infrastructure such as roads and railways.
  • Perform traffic sign maintenance: Install and secure road signs, and replace them if needed. Maintain traffic lights by resolving issues, replacing light bulbs and cleaning the glass covering. Control telematic systems for proper functioning.
  • Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
  • Place temporary road signage: Place temporary traffic signs, lights and barriers to alert road users of activities on the road.
  • Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
  • Inspect asphalt: Inspect the placement of asphalt concrete ensuring that the specifications are met and no flows are present.
  • 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.
  • Prepare subgrade for road pavement: Make sure the surface underneath the road is ready to be paved. Ensure that it is flat, stable and able to resist the mechanical stresses of road traffic.
  • Lay concrete slabs: Lay concrete slabs, used as road covering, on a prepared surface. Guide a crane operator to position the slab in the right place and manually set it correctly, often using tongue and groove joints.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Pave asphalt layers: Use different grades of asphalt to lay the asphalt layers of a road. Lay an asphalt base layer with low bitumen content to provide a stable surface, a binder layer with intermediate bitumen content, and a surface layer containing the highest grade material with the highest bitumen content to withstand the stresses of road transport. Tend a paver to lay the asphalt or use different techniques and instruments.
  • Inspect road signs: Inspect road signs for signs of corrosion, outdated information, nicks and dents, legilibility and reflectance. Decide on the course of action when problems are found.
  • Clear accident site: Remove large objects such as a damaged vehicles, clear debris and dispose of it in compliance with legislation, clean the place and remove temporary traffic signs.

ISCO group and title

3123 – Construction supervisors


References
  1. Road construction supervisor – ESCO
  2. Featured image: By U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Federal Lands Highway – Going-to-the-Sun Road, Construction Photo Gallery (direct link), Public Domain
Last updated on June 11, 2023