Construction is the most common field in which a traveling superintendent can find work. However, superintendent positions are also available in the fields of education and golf course management. A person with about 10 years of experience leading a group of employees, supervising the work of subcontractors, managing students and faculty, and hiring part-time and full-time personnel is required to become a traveling superintendent — also known as a supervisor or manager. The ability to travel to assigned locations for on-site project supervision and implementation of the hiring company’s instructions in order to see the project through to completion is, of course, the distinguishing qualification for becoming a traveling superintendent.
A bachelor’s degree in construction science, building science, civil engineering, or mechanical engineering is typically required of a construction traveling superintendent. A person who wants to work as a traveling superintendent in the construction industry should be computer literate, as scheduling, inventory, and personnel management programs are frequently used. Basic construction mathematics, blueprint reading, project management/critical path method (CPM), and quantity survey are among the courses taken students pursuing a degree in one of the aforementioned fields.
Whether or not a person considering a career as a construction traveling superintendent pursues a degree, he or she should be aware that the next decade is expected to be extremely busy. The profession is expected to grow at a faster rate than the overall increase in employment. Job requirements are expected to become more sophisticated as a result of this job growth. The number of composite-based construction materials is expected to grow, energy efficiency will likely remain a construction code issue and a long-term goal, and environmental concerns will likely persist.
A superintendent’s certificate is required in education for a traveling school superintendent candidate. This will enable him to serve as a school district’s superintendent or chief administrator. A superintendent certificate program is available at many colleges and universities. A person must have a graduate degree and three years of teaching experience, as well as other certifications and test scores, to be eligible for this program.
Golf superintendents are in charge of a golf course’s upkeep and operations. To work as a traveling superintendent in this industry, you’ll need advanced knowledge of soil science, experience with golf construction methods, principles, and practices, and a thorough understanding of local and regional laws governing golf course operations and management. In some cases, a golf superintendent may be required to obtain a pesticide applicator’s license.
The traveling superintendent’s job entails a wide range of responsibilities. Perhaps the most important intangible requirement of the job is flexibility. Most companies anticipate this person being on the road for at least 50% to 75% of the time.
In most cases, the superintendent is responsible for keeping a project on budget and on schedule. As a result, it may also entail working with the project manager and his or her team to plan and analyze the project. The traveling superintendent’s occupational “hats” will include scheduling, ensuring that safety guidelines are followed, and managing the overall quality of a project.