Field supervisors are the generals for many types of projects, including construction, engineering, energy and maintenance of existing landscapes and buildings. This position requires a keen eye for detail, excellent communication skills to coordinate multiple departments and the ability to delegate with confidence.
Computer Skills
Field supervisors must know how to use spreadsheet and scheduling software and project implementation programs. These computer skills are essential to coordinate the work of multiple departments working on a project. Supervisors use these programs to monitor progress and recommend changes in strategy. In addition, they use computers to file reports on the status of current projects.
Maintain Project Schedules
The field supervisor coordinates project efforts with other supervisors in the field, such as the project manager, to ensure that benchmark dates are met. The field supervisor maintains the schedules for all departments working on the project and ensures that all schedules are operating according to guidelines. This allows the field supervisor to maximize the effficiency of all departments, saving time and money.
Confirm Design Specifications
The field supervisor must confirm with the engineering and project management departments that the design for the project will actually work. This may seem obvious, but without this double-check, builders could get halfway into a project before realizing that materials don't conform to codes or the design is flawed. Such mix-ups can cost a company millions of dollars in expenses, lost project hours and diminished client confidence the next time a project comes up for bidding.
Acquire Equipment
The field supervisor orders and schedules the delivery of all necessary equipment for the project. This includes small items such as lawnmowers and hedge trimmers and larger equipment such as dump trucks and jack hammers. Careful review of the project parameters determines which equipment is necessary, how much it costs and how the equipment budget can be allocated to avoid cost overruns.
