Sewer construction supervisor

Description

A sewer construction supervisor is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and installation of sewer systems. They play a crucial role in ensuring the successful completion of sewer projects, including new sewer line installations, repairs, and maintenance. Sewer construction supervisors are responsible for coordinating with project managers, overseeing work crews, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and maintaining project schedules.

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

  • Supervising the installation of sewer pipes and other sewage infrastructure
  • Ensuring that all safety regulations are followed and that the sewer construction work remains smooth and efficient by organizing workflows and monitoring staff
  • Directing, training, and assisting lower-level sewer construction workers
  • Preparing sewer construction reports and compiling sewer 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
  • Advising others on ways to improve processes or products.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to sewer construction supervisor:

sewer pipeline construction supervisor
sewage pipelayer supervisor
sewage system construction supervisor
sewer system construction supervisor

Working conditions

Sewer construction supervisors primarily work on construction sites, which can involve working outdoors in various weather conditions. They are exposed to potential hazards, such as working in trenches, working around heavy machinery, and navigating uneven terrain. Sewer construction supervisors must strictly adhere to safety protocols, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and enforce safety measures among the construction crews. They often work in a fast-paced and physically demanding environment, coordinating multiple activities and managing project timelines.

Minimum qualifications

The educational requirements for sewer construction supervisors may vary depending on the employer and jurisdiction. Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Some employers may prefer candidates with additional vocational training or certifications related to construction, project management, or supervisory skills. Sewer construction supervisors usually have extensive experience in sewer construction and installation, including practical knowledge of excavation, pipe laying techniques, and sewer system components. Strong understanding of relevant safety regulations and environmental requirements is essential. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are necessary to effectively supervise and coordinate sewer construction projects.

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.

Sewer construction supervisor is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Sewer construction supervisor career path

Similar occupations

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

crane crew supervisor
water conservation technician supervisor
bridge construction supervisor
rail construction supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of sewer 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 sewer construction supervisor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

installation engineer
construction general contractor
mine ventilation engineer
quantity surveyor
purchasing manager

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

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

  • Types of bedding materials: Different types of bedding materials used to stabilise structures such as pipe. The differences in performance, availability and cost of the materials and their suitability for the purpose, climate and other stresses.
  • Mechanical systems: Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
  • 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.
  • Excavation techniques: The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.
  • Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Essential skills and competences

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
  • 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.
  • Supervise sewerage systems construction: Supervise the implementation of correct sewerage system plans and methods during construction, installation, and maintenance of sewerage systems to ensure conformity to the approved plans and safety of operations.
  • 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.
  • 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 sewer 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.
  • Cost management: The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.
  • Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

Optional skills and competences

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

  • Keep heavy construction equipment in good condition: Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defects.
  • Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
  • 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.
  • Provide pipe bedding: Lay bedding in a trench to stabilise a pipe if called for. Lay bedding beneath the pipe and around it to protect from environmental influences.
  • Operate heavy construction machinery without supervision: Work with heavy construction machinery independently without the intervention of a supervisor. Take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
  • Dig soil mechanically: Use mechanical equipment to dig up and move soil. Form pits according to excavation plans.
  • Rig loads: Safely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all instruments and materials, and the mass distribution of the system. Communicate with the operator verbally or with gestures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. Detach loads.
  • Operate grappler: Operate a hydraulic grappler, an attachment to heavy machinery used to grab and manipulate cylindrical objects such as trees or pipes. Lift up the object, safely manoeuvre it, and set it down in the desired position.
  • Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
  • Dig sewer trenches: Prepare trenches for sewer pipes. Dig judiciously according to plans, avoiding underground utility infrastructure. Brace the trench to prevent compaction of the sewer pipe. Fill the trench after the pipes have been installed.
  • Install PVC piping: Lay different types and sizes of PVC piping in prepared spaces. Cut the piping to size and attach it by using glue or other systems. Make sure the piping has a clean edge, is free of strains and has the right tilt for fluids to run through.
  • Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
  • Operate excavator: Operate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.
  • Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
  • Cut metal products: Operate cutting and measuring instruments in order to cut/shape pieces of metal into given dimensions.
  • Inspect sewers: Inspect sewage drains in order to detect explosive gases using gas analysis equipment.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Provide technical expertise: Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.
  • Transport pipes: Transport pipes manually or by operating equipment such as mechanical lifts and truck winches.
  • 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.
  • Lay sewer pipe: Use the appropriate equipment, such as a hydraulic grappler, to lay sewer pipes into a prepared trench. Coordinate with a co-worker to manoeuvre the pipe so as to fit securely on the previously installed pipe. Push and wiggle the pipe if necessary to create a seal.
  • Level earth surface: Change the profile of the earth surface, turning it flat or shaping it to match a certain slope. Remove irregularities such as knolls, pits and ditches.

ISCO group and title

3123 – Construction supervisors


References
  1. Sewer construction supervisor – ESCO
  2. Featured image: Photo by benjamin lehman on Unsplash
Last updated on June 11, 2023