Occupation

Construction Managers

Human Advantage 75%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.2 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

Also Known As: Bridges and Buildings Supervisor, Commercial Construction Project Manager, Commercial Construction Superintendent, Commercial Superintendent, Concrete Foreman, Construction Area Manager, Construction Coordinator, Construction Director +26 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
  2. Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
  3. Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
  4. Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
  5. Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
  6. Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
  7. Plan, organize, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
  8. Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
  9. Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
  10. Investigate damage, accidents, or delays at construction sites to ensure that proper construction procedures are being followed.
  11. Implement new or modified plans in response to delays, bad weather, or construction site emergencies.
  12. Develop or implement quality control programs.
  13. Requisition supplies or materials to complete construction projects.
  14. Determine labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites.
  15. Contract or oversee craft work, such as painting or plumbing.
  16. Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with environmental regulations.
  17. Perform, or contract others to perform, pre-building assessments, such as conceptual cost estimating, rough order of magnitude estimating, feasibility, or energy efficiency, environmental, and sustainability assessments.
  18. Develop or implement environmental protection programs.
  19. Apply for and obtain all necessary permits or licenses.
  20. Evaluate construction methods and determine cost-effectiveness of plans, using computer models.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Apply green building strategies to reduce energy costs or minimize carbon output or other sources of harm to the environment.
  2. Secure third-party verification from sources, such as Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED), to ensure responsible design and building activities or to achieve favorable LEED ratings for building projects.
  3. Develop construction budgets to compare green and non-green construction alternatives, in terms of short-term costs, long-term costs, or environmental impacts.
  4. Implement training programs on environmentally responsible building topics to update employee skills and knowledge.
  5. Direct acquisition of land for construction projects.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
90%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
5%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Google Docs
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  • Microsoft Visio
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  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
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  • Trimble SketchUp Pro
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Software (64)

  • 3M Post-it App
  • AEC Software FastTrack Schedule
  • ArenaSoft Estimating
  • Axios Systems assyst
  • Bechtel Software SETROUTE
  • CBS ProLog Manager
  • CSI WSE CodeBuddy
  • Cadsoft Design/Build
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • Daily Manager
  • Database software
  • Drone image capturing software
  • Dropbox
  • Email software
  • Explorer Engineer
  • Google Drive
  • HCSS HeavyBid
  • HCSS HeavyJob
  • IMPACT software
  • ISS Construction Manager
  • Integrated construction management software
  • Internet browser software
  • Jobber Computer Plus
  • LinkedIn
  • Lombardi Teamworks
  • Loom
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Presentation software
  • Profitool GearWatch
  • Profitool software (human resources feature)
  • Profitool software (time accounting feature)
  • Project management software
  • Quantum Software Solutions Quantum Project Manager
  • QuickBase business management software
  • SRC Cash Flow Forecasting
  • Sage 100 Contractor
  • Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
  • Scheduling software
  • Site Manager
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • UDA Technologies ConstructionSuite
  • VirtualBoss

Tools & Equipment (14)

  • DroneDeploy
  • Fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles UAV
  • Gas detection sensors
  • Laptop computers
  • Large-format scanners
  • Laser imaging detection and ranging LIDAR systems
  • Lasers
  • Levels
  • Multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles UAV
  • Personal computers
  • Pocket personal computers PC
  • RGB cameras
  • Thermal imaging cameras
  • Transit levels

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Construction Planning & Development Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Construction Managers You are here

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Construction

Zone 4
Construction Managers You are here
Zone 5

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Real Talk

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