Consider A Career As A Building Or Site Supervisor?

Answer 1

Construction site managers and building inspectors are educated in the areas of structural integrity, the reading and interpreting of blueprints, codes and regulations pertaining to structure compliance, and general managerial duties. A building inspector in particular needs to be able to assess the condition of a structure and recommend the appropriate changes, upgrades or improvements. Quite often the safety of the men and women working at a job site depends on the awareness and expertise of the on-site inspector or construction foreman.

Responsibilities And Duties

Building and construction site managers often must coordinate the efforts of a number of different subcontractors. The job is much like the choreographing of a Broadway play. Deadlines must be met in order to save on labor costs, meaning a careful scheduling of all work is necessary so that time is not wasted or money spent uselessly. A construction site foreperson is the one responsible for having the job come in at or below budget.

A building inspector is responsible for reporting whether a structure meets building codes. This person is trained to measure accurately, decide whether there are faults in the structural integrity, study the infrastructural components such as heating, lighting, water and sewer, and insure that all safety rules and regulations are being followed to the letter.

Education For Building/Site Inspectors

Building inspectors are usually very experienced in the construction industry. Regardless of their educational background, years have been spent on job sites or in formal training classes where an emphasis on building safety and environmental impact is stressed. There are actual degree programs for building inspection majors, those interested in urban planning, or who are thinking of a career in supervising the installation of utilities.

Degree programs in engineering involve several courses in higher math, classes in the reading and interpreting of blueprints, and training in how to prepare reports for supervisors or government officials. Many individuals who began their working careers in the labor industry have chosen to return to school and complete a Bachelor's degree in business administration or urban development. This degree in combination with prior field experience may lead to a career as a building inspector or field supervisor for a construction company.

Excellent Salaries For Experienced Personnel

The median hourly wage for a building inspector hired by a governmental agency is approximately $26.00 per hour. This figure is somewhat higher than that for an on-site construction supervisor, but those who prefer on-site work may find room for advancement with a competing construction company.