site supervisor
A site supervisor bridges the gap between senior managers and on-site teams by ensuring workers complete projects on time. As a site supervisor, you create orders on the construction site by assigning duties and responsibilities to various workers. You also organise the work schedules and ensure everyone works their shifts to complete milestones and projects on time.
While the daily activities of a site supervisor are varied, their main role is to monitor the health and safety aspects of a construction site. You conduct regular site inspections to assess health and safety risks. After the assessment, you develop measures to eradicate any hazards and ensure the work site is safe for workers. You also ensure the construction work is completed safely and the project doesn't violate building codes or health and safety regulations.
In your supervisory role, you hold meetings with the construction crew to update them on any changes in the project. You also relay information from the construction manager that affects the construction work. You prepare reports detailing potential health hazards, mitigation measures and safety procedures. The reports convey information to stakeholders and senior management on the project's progress.
Would working as a site supervisor suit your hands-on and organisational skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a site supervisor role.
site supervisor jobsaverage salary of a site supervisor
According to National Careers, a site supervisor earns an average salary of £25,000 per year in entry-level positions. Experienced site supervisors take home a compensation package of £45,000 per year. Apart from the basic salary, most employers also provide annual sick leave and paid holidays. You can improve your earnings with overtime pay and bonuses.
how to increase your salary as a site supervisor
Salary increases are often linked to your experience level and qualifications. You can demand a higher salary when you have worked as a site supervisor for many years. However, entry-level site supervisors earn less due to their limited experience. You can boost your compensation package by improving your skills to make you competitive for higher-paying roles. Being consistent in your performance also earns you good performance reviews that you can use to negotiate for higher pay.
Where you live or work also influences your take-home pay. For instance, working in a large town or city attracts a higher compensation package due to the high cost of living.
types of site supervisors
The types of site supervisors depend on the construction project. Some include:
- construction site supervisor: as a construction site supervisor, you manage the construction site and ensure the project meets the building codes. You supervise construction projects in residential or commercial settings from start to completion. You also coordinate labour and materials at the construction site to minimise wastage.
- civil site supervisor: as a civil site supervisor, you oversee civil construction projects like road, railway or bridge constructions. You ensure the team has the materials and equipment to complete the project. You also inform stakeholders about the project's progress.
working as a site supervisor
Working as a site supervisor involves managing construction teams and workers to ensure they complete the job promptly. It is a leadership role that also requires hands-on experience in construction work. Let's explore the duties involved and work schedules.
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site supervisor job description
Some of the responsibilities of a site supervisor include:
- managing construction workers: as a site supervisor, your primary role is coordinating construction teams and ensuring the successful and timely completion of projects. You create work schedules and define responsibilities for all construction workers. As a site supervisor, it is essential to motivate workers to complete their tasks within the stipulated timeframe.
- reviewing building plans and blueprints: before the construction work commences, you need to check the plans and blueprints to check they meet building regulations. If the building plans don't meet the required standards and specifications, you can correct them before construction.
- inspecting construction sites: as a site supervisor, you regularly inspect the site. Checking the site helps identify new hazards and enables you to develop measures to maintain health and safety standards.
- managing the procurement of construction materials: as a site supervisor, you ensure the construction crew doesn't run out of raw materials for the construction. You are in charge of ordering the items and getting them delivered on time. You also communicate with stakeholders when the material costs exceed the budget.
- completing site reports: as a site supervisor, you provide regular reports to the site manager or construction manager. The reports outline the progress of the project and the site inspection done.
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work environment
You work in an office as a site supervisor, but most of your duties take place on-site. This is because the safety aspect requires supervision and a hands-on approach. That means you work outdoors in all weather, often in noisy and dusty conditions. The role involves travelling, including possible long-distance site visits, if you supervise multiple projects. This increases the hours that you are away from home during the week. As a site supervisor, you can work on projects in the public or private sector.
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who are your colleagues?
As a site supervisor, you work in the construction industry, and your colleagues might include site managers, project managers and construction managers. You may also work alongside architects and cost estimators, as well as other specialists like quantity surveyors, construction workers and accountants.
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work schedule
Typically, being a site supervisor is a full-time role, so you will work the standard 40-hour per week schedule. Because safety is an essential part of your job, expect to be on call 24 hours a day when an emergency occurs. Sometimes, deadlines require you to work evenings, weekends and holidays. If you supervise more than one project, expect the travel between sites to lengthen your schedule. You cannot supervise work or perform your duties remotely. Part-time opportunities are also rare, but you can work on short-term contracts.
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job outlook
The need for site supervisors is expected to expand due to business and population growth, necessitating the construction of public buildings and the upgrading of infrastructure. Site supervisors will also be necessary for projects making structures more energy efficient. Also, due to construction methods becoming more meticulous, safety measures are more complex and must be vetted consistently.
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advantages of finding a site supervisor job through randstad
Finding your site supervisor job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contract
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a site supervisor is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
You can become a site supervisor through the following routes:
- university: the first step into a site supervisor role is taking a higher national diploma, foundation degree or an undergraduate qualification. You can pursue building studies, surveying, civil engineering, construction management or construction engineering. Your degree course should involve a year of industry placement or internship to help you gain work experience.
- college: if you have experience in construction work, you can do a college course to become a site supervisor. For instance, you will find a Level 3 and 4 Diploma in construction site supervision or a Level 4 in construction site management.
- apprenticeship: a higher apprenticeship as a construction site supervisor takes three years to complete. It involves coursework and on-the-job training, but some employers expect you to have prior construction experience to join.
skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a site supervisor include:
- leadership skills: as a site supervisor, you oversee a group of construction workers who may be working together for the first time. Leadership skills will help you delegate tasks efficiently and ensure every employee performs optimally. You can also motivate and inspire workers to complete projects on time.
- attention to details: it is vital to be detail-oriented since you handle a lot of paperwork, from reports to blueprints and technical drawings. Attentiveness to details helps you avoid errors in budgets, site inspection reports and work schedules. You can also ensure that the construction process adheres to the building regulations.
- technical skills: as a site supervisor, you need knowledge in construction, from civil to building projects. When you know construction guidelines, you can ensure workers maintain high building standards.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a site supervisor
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what does a site supervisor do?
A site supervisor is responsible for the health and safety of a construction site and the workers. You also coordinate with the foreman and manager to ensure the site has the materials needed and the project stays on a consistent timeline. In an emergency, you solve the issue and possibly administer first aid to injured employees. You are also responsible for holding employees liable if they violate the site's safety procedures. Want to learn more about working as a site supervisor? Then check out this article.
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what is site supervision?
Site supervision is based on the logistics of keeping a construction site running smoothly. This largely revolves around keeping the site safe according to building regulations and legal requirements. You should also expect to perform multiple inspections to ensure things fall in line with the safety criteria of the project. The secondary goal is to ensure all project expectations are met and the workers have what they need to accomplish their tasks. Want to learn more about working as a site supervisor? Then check out this article.
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what do I need to be a site supervisor?
If you're considering the role, you should have a Level 4 Diploma in construction site supervision or management or a bachelor's degree in construction or engineering. Want to learn more about working as a site supervisor? Then check out this article.
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how much does a site supervisor earn?
A site supervisor's salary ranges from £25,000 to £45,000 per year. Your earnings will depend on your level of experience and qualifications. Want to learn more about working as a site supervisor? Then check out this article.
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how do I apply for a site supervisor vacancy?
Applying for a site supervisor job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our site supervisor job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
