A Helper Carpenter is defined as an entry level craftsman with minimal skill and experience level but is able to perform basic carpentry tasks. A Helper Carpenter must have basic knowledge of construction and remodeling trades, practices, procedures, techniques, tools and equipment, and materials. He or she must have a minimal ability to read blueprints and have basic mathematical and analytical skills necessary to take and compute measurements.

A Carpenter is defined as a craftsman with a skill and experience level greater than a helper carpenter or laborer, but less than a foreman. The Carpenter will generally have a smaller tool inventory and may need direction to perform more advanced carpentry skills. A Carpenter must have knowledge of construction and remodeling trades, practices, procedures, techniques, tools and equipment, materials, specifications, quality control, cost control, and safety. Him or her must be proficient at the following tasks: stain-grade trim work, hang doors, drill and set door hardware, set windows, layout for stairs and common rafters, read blueprints, and utilize appropriate math skills.

A Foreman is a first-line supervisory position. A Foreman has extensive knowledge of the trade and the work involved, along with an ability to resolve problems with appropriate and timely decisions. A Foreman reports directly to a Site Superintendent. Among a Foreman’s responsibilities are pre-planning work for a crew, providing training opportunities for crafts persons, overseeing safety procedures, maintaining quality of workmanship, monitoring production costs, and the morale and attitude of a crew.

The Site Superintendent is the company’s representative with the responsibility and authority for daily coordination and direction of the project so that it is safe, within budget, on schedule, meets the company’s quality standards, and meets the customer’s satisfaction. To accomplish this, you must conceptualize a plan to construct the project and ensure that the daily and weekly activities are consistent with this plan.

The Site Superintendent and the Project Manager will work together as a complementary team. Their combined effort is greater than the sum of their individual efforts. The Site Superintendent can concentrate most of his or her time on the daily and short-range direction of the project.

This is the company’s management representative and is responsible for the safe completion of his or her projects within budget, on schedule, to the company’s quality standards, and to the customer’s satisfaction. It is his or her responsibility to initiate required action to achieve these objectives and to ensure that all project activities are consistent with contract documents and the company policy. The Project Manager’s duties will vary as required to support the Project Superintendent and other personnel assigned to the project.

The Project Manager’s first responsibility is to support the effectiveness of the Superintendent and the project staff. Generally, the Project Manager will concentrate on long-term planning, scheduling, and the identification and resolution of possible roadblocks and pitfalls prior to having an impact on the project. The manager is also responsible for ensuring that all logistical support is completed in a timely manner so that the Superintendent can concentrate on the daily and weekly direction of the company’s resources and coordination of subcontractors.