8733 Structural Foreman

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Maintenance Supervisor

MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Superintendent of Facilities Maintenance

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Structural Foreman directs and performs highly skilled carpentry and painting work in the construction, maintenance, repair and alteration of building structures and facilities following recognized procedures and techniques of the carpentry and painting trades. The Foreman is responsible for planning and scheduling daily and weekly work activities for maintenance carpenters and painting crews, assigns carpentry and painting crews to specific jobs based upon an evaluation of job requirements and individual expertise, and supervises their work. The Foreman also assists in developing, implementing, and monitoring preventive maintenance programs, and enforces federal regulations governing environmental protection, hazardous waste disposal and the use of chemical substances and materials.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A high school diploma or the equivalent is required. Completion of a carpentry vocational/technical school or a recognized apprenticeship program in carpentry is preferred.

Experience: At least six years of journeyman-level experience in the carpentry or building trades is required. Cabinetmaker experience is preferred. Knowledge of the safe use of hazardous materials, cleaners and chemicals common to the painting trade is required. Experience with the installation of wallcoverings is preferred.

Skills: Supervisory skills, particularly in ability to instruct others and delegate, are required. Requires skilled carpentry and painting ability which includes use of small hand and power tools, precision measuring and testing devices, mechanical equipment and materials applicable to the carpentry and painting trades. Ability to interpret blueprints, color schemes, sketches, and schematics is required. Computer literacy is required.

Effort: Must be able to lift and carry materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis and up to 100 pounds on an occasional basis; prolonged standing and frequent bending, stooping, and reaching on a daily basis. Requires a full range of physical motion in order to operate manual and electrically-powered tools, sprayers, and carpentry and painting shop equipment. Must be able to move throughout campus, including climbing stairs in all University buildings and to work at heights from ladders or scaffolding, in order to perform carpentry and painting work. Work is performed indoors and out-of-doors, occasionally in environments that are dusty, noisy, or which could have work hazards. Requires near-vision acuity to inspect repairs and maintenance, read blueprints, building code manuals and other similar documents.

Other: Scope of the position requires exposure to and use of chemicals, solvents, cleaners, and adhesives common to carpentry and painting work that may be hazardous and/or cause injury if specific instructions regarding their mixture, use, and disposal/storage are not properly followed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists the Maintenance Supervisor with ensuring that all University facilities are structurally sound and safe by planning and scheduling daily and weekly carpentry work activities in coordination with the Work Control Center and within guidelines provided by the Superintendent, assigning carpentry crews to specific jobs, supervising carpenters performing various work related to articles of wood, plasterboard, fiberboard, metal, hardware and other building materials under emergency or routine maintenance conditions.

2. Assists the Maintenance Supervisor with implementing a preventive maintenance painting program for all University facilities and equipment by planning and scheduling daily and weekly painting activities in coordination with the Work Control Center and within guidelines provided by the Superintendent, assigning painters to specific jobs, and supervising their work related to preparing, repairing, painting, and maintaining all types of interior and exterior surfaces, (e.g., wood, plaster, drywall, steel, concrete, and brick), and installing wallcoverings.

3. Performs highly skilled carpentry work (as required) in the construction, maintenance, repair, remodeling and alteration of building structures and facilities by inspecting the work site to determine the materials, equipment, tool requirements, and method to be used; developing a plan or layout for the project or following a blueprint, sketch or schematic; assembling, fabricating or building and installing materials, equipment, or fixtures as required by the scope of work, and operating such hand and power tools as saws, hammers, chisels, levels, drills, presses, sanders, table saws, joiners, planers, lathes.

4. Performs highly skilled painting work (as required) in the preparation, patching, finishing, and maintaining of all building structures, walls, woodwork, furniture, and equipment by inspecting the work site to determine the materials, equipment, tools, and method to be used; developing a plan, sketch, schematic or layout for the project or following an established color scheme; mixing and matching pigments, stains or varnishes to the required color, tint and/or texture; assembling, or building and installing scaffolding, materials, and equipment as required by the scope of work; and using paint brushes, rollers, and/or sprayers, sandpaper, sanders, steel wool, wire brushes, and related painting tools.

5. Assures completion of carpentry and painting projects with quality workmanship by assigning the level of manpower needed to successfully complete the work, arranging for supplies and equipment for work projects, monitoring and inspecting work performance, providing corrections of any deficiencies as necessary, redirecting work efforts to meet critical and/or necessary work requirements, providing an estimate of repair (and/or replacement) costs beyond the capability to perform, and recommending the use of additional departmental personnel or contract personnel (as appropriate) to meet assigned completion targets.

6. Reduces the requirement for contract carpentry/construction and painting services through supervision of the in-house crews which renovate existing offices, structures, and facilities according to blueprints, schematics, work orders or verbal instructions, and which uses more complex carpentry and construction methods as required by the scope of work.

7. Ensures that University property and equipment is protected from damage during carpentry and painting work by directing the removal of furniture, wall fixtures, and equipment from work sites if possible or covering immoveable items with protective cloths, using painting cloths or tarpaulins to cover floors and masking tape to protect woodwork, facings, and decorative trims, and supervising the construction of safe scaffolding in order to prevent damage.

8. Assists with the development of a competent and efficient maintenance carpentry and painting work force by recommending the employment of qualified applicants, training departmental personnel (as necessary) in the proper use of test equipment, hand and power tools, building materials and equipment, proper painting techniques, installation of wallcoverings, paint sprayers, blowtorches, and shop safety, demonstrating appropriate work methods, making work assignments based upon an evaluation of job requirements and individual expertise, providing oral and/or written instructions, monitoring the progress of work, and inspecting work to ensure standards of workmanship, job safety and code compliance.

9. Assists with documenting the cost of carpentry repairs and painting work by keeping records of time and materials to be charged to each job and providing periodic status reports to the Maintenance Supervisor regarding the status of work projects, material consumed, and man-hours utilized.

10. Assures that carpentry maintenance personnel and painting crews have the equipment and supplies necessary to perform their work by monitoring the use of supplies and materials, estimating future material usage, requisitioning those supplies and equipment, distributing supplies/materials and equipment as required, and advising the Maintenance Supervisor regarding potential shortages, recommended replacement items, or related equipment needs.

11. Provides technical assistance in the purchase of new or replacement carpentry and paint shop tools and equipment by evaluating available carpentry tools, paint products, and equipment in order to standardize them, reviewing and preparing equipment specifications,  recommending the purchase of paints, tools, and equipment that are compatible with existing color schemes or equipment and that meet the needs of the department, and advising the Superintendent of Facilities Maintenance on shop equipment capabilities and compatibility, installation requirements and costs, and potential operations and maintenance expenses.

12. Promotes preventive maintenance as a strategy in maintaining carpentry and painting tools and equipment by assisting in the development and monitoring of preventive maintenance programs, keeping accurate records on all equipment indicating all repairs/breakdowns and required and performed maintenance, performing spot checks of equipment to determine their working condition, and performing and/or directing periodic cleaning and servicing of tools and test equipment.

13. Assists the Maintenance Supervisor with ensuring that contract carpentry and painting services meet specified results and/or work orders thus minimizing future operational problems by observing (spot checking) the work performed and advising the Superintendent when contracted services fail to meet specifications or endanger University property or lives.

14. Ensures that a cooperative and coordinated work effort is achieved among the various maintenance trades involved in multiple craft projects by working closely with other trades foremen, the Work Control Center, and Mechanical Stores in scheduling work activities, and advising the Superintendent of current maintenance situations and work schedules. 

15. Reduces the likelihood for liability regarding the University's compliance with federal regulations by complying with and enforcing policies, laws, and regulations governing environmental protection, safety, hazardous waste disposal and the use of chemical substances and materials.

16. Enforces University and departmental rules and policies regarding employee conduct by advising carpentry and painting personnel of the rules and policies on employee conduct, issuing verbal warnings and written reprimands for violations, and recommending progressive disciplinary action to the Maintenance Supervisor as necessary.

17. Contributes to an accident-free work environment by enforcing operator's instructions for the proper use of power tools, power sprayers, and equipment, directing personnel to wear protective gear such as filter respirators, goggles, hearing protectors, back supports, and work gloves, making on-the-spot corrections of unsafe work activities, investigating on-the-job accidents or injuries and reporting the incidents to supervisors, and following standard safety precautions during work.

18. Prepares estimates for construction costs associated with in-house construction projects and provides necessary input for the development of working drawings, details, and project work.

19. Helps to reduce the likelihood of a significant disruption of mechanical services (i.e., heating, cooling, electricity) provided to the University campus and assures around-the-clock responsiveness to mechanical failures or emergency situations by assisting the Maintenance Supervisor to anticipate requirements for exceptional mechanical maintenance efforts, assisting in developing appropriate contingency plans to respond to those needs and other emergency conditions, assisting in the coordination of contracted services beyond the capabilities of the University to handle, and assisting with maintenance efforts to restore the University environment to normalcy.

20. Contributes to the overall success of the Mechanical Maintenance Department by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Structural Foreman is supervised by the Maintenance Supervisor, however generally operates independently within established guidelines and policies and exercises supervision of full-time and temporary carpenters and painters.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED OCTOBER 2006

Factor 1: Educational Requirements of the Job

Level 2 - 100 Points: The job requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

Factor 2: Skill Requirements - Craft and Trade Skills

Level 5 - 1100 Points: This level represents journeyman-level skill in building trades or related areas requiring extended training and/or experience and considerable practical knowledge in a trade or technical area, or other skills requiring similar levels of training. Skill at this level normally requires six years of experience within the trade.

Factor 3: Managerial Responsibility

Level 5 - 500 Points: Supervision of a work group or department including hiring, training, disciplining, and directing the work of others. At this level the required supervision will likely include general rather than close supervision of others. Typically, the nature of the work may involve the supervision of other supervisors or work group leaders, or the responsibility for a rather large group of operative employees in non-technical or non-highly skilled areas. At this level, supervisory responsibilities consume significant amounts of work time and include substantial responsibility for budget development as well as financial control, purchasing, and work planning responsibilities.

Factor 4: Guidelines

Level 3 - 90 Points: Procedures and standards exist, but considerable latitude in applying procedures and selecting a sequence of activities must be exercised. The employee uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The employee analyzes results and recommends changes.

Factor 5: Contacts

Level 4 - 175 Points: The purpose is to coordinate activities involving employees, students, and/or the general public. At this level, contacts involve considerable interpersonal skill involving cooperation and coordination and may involve the organization of activities of programs requiring working relationships among several parties. While contacts may require some level of persuasion, potential for conflicts and disputes are relatively minor.

Factor 6: Work Environment

Level 3 - 70 Points: The work area involves moderate discomfort and/or risk such as operating heavy machinery or dangerous equipment, or frequent exposure to hazardous materials. Alternatively, the work area may be subject to environmental discomfort such as poor ventilation. Loud noises, and/or extremes of heat or cold. The work often requires wearing protective gear that may be uncomfortable. The nature of the work environment may produce moderate levels of stress.

Factor 7: Physical Demands

Level 3 - 100 Points: Work requires continuous moderate with some strenuous physical exertion including standing, climbing, crawling, and regular lifting of objects over 50 pounds.

Factor 8: Responsibility for Facilities and Resources

Level 3 - 70 Points: At this level would be jobs in which the incumbent has considerable ongoing responsibility for building security and public safety.

Factor 9: Complexity

Level 4 - 700 Points: The work involves varied duties requiring many different and unrelated processes and methods such as those relating to well-established administrative or professional fields. Decisions regarding what needs to be done include the assessment of unusual circumstances, variations in approach, and incomplete or conflicting data. The work requires making many decisions concerning such things as the interpreting of considerable data, planning the work, or refining methods and techniques to be used.