Job Title: Traveling SuperintendentJob DescriptionThe Traveling Superintendent oversees all phases of federal and commercial construction projects from initial planning through completion, ensuring work is delivered safely, on schedule, and in full compliance with contract documents and quality standards. This role leads field operations on nationwide projects, coordinating a traveling, self-perform workforce and subcontractors while maintaining strong communication with project management, architects, engineers, and consultants.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate and supervise all construction activities on assigned projects from pre-development through project closeout.
- Direct all field personnel to achieve completion of the project on schedule while maintaining required quality and safety standards.
- Work with architects, engineers, and consultants during pre-development and planning to assist in obtaining permits and approvals for plan revisions.
- Collaborate with the Project Manager to prepare a construction baseline schedule, including sequencing of critical path items.
- Develop project lookahead schedules aligned with the approved project/contract schedule, present them to subcontractors and the client, and maintain and update them on a weekly basis.
- Schedule and plan work with subcontractors and vendors on critical path activities to ensure timely completion of their contracted scope.
- Provide daily field supervision of subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors, including managing the flow of materials on and off the job site and coordinating access to work areas for approved personnel.
- Perform quality control duties and responsibilities for all work being performed to ensure compliance with project specifications and contract documents.
- Ensure that subcontractors fully execute and comply with their contracted scope of work.
- Lead and preside over weekly subcontractor meetings to coordinate current and upcoming work.
- Coordinate all required inspections with local, state, and federal jurisdictions to ensure code compliance.
- Identify subcontractor non-compliance with safety, health, and environmental quality standards, implement corrective actions on site, and escalate issues to management when needed.
- Identify conflicts or issues affecting construction progress, communicate with subcontractors to resolve them, and follow up with the Project Manager and management when further discussion or resolution is required.
- Thoroughly understand project specifications, drawings, contracts, and general conditions, and confirm that all materials and subcontractor work comply with contract documents and quality requirements.
- Advise the project team on appropriate changes in methods, materials, schedules, and procedures to improve project outcomes.
- Ensure that all materials are properly tested according to specifications and that all test results are accurately recorded.
- Maintain detailed daily reports documenting activities, events, and issues occurring on the job site.
- Verify that subcontractors correct all deficiencies identified by management and document the resolution of these items.
- Meet regularly with accounting and management to review overall project progress, schedule adherence, and budget compliance.
- Issue notices of non-compliance to subcontractors regarding quality of work or scheduling and coordinate with the Project Manager on issuing back charges when corrective action requires third-party remedies.
- Ensure the job site remains clean, organized, and safe at all times.
- Assist, as needed, in budgeting, the bid process, and awarding contracts to subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants.
- Maintain comprehensive project files for materials, submittal tracking, safety data sheets, operation manuals, approvals, and permits.
- Perform Superintendent duties at multiple job sites simultaneously when required.
- Open job sites at the beginning of the day and secure them at the end of the day.
- Review extra charges from subcontractors and suppliers for reasonableness, verify that related work is correctly executed, and coordinate with the Project Manager for approval.
- Coordinate with the Project Manager on review and payment of bills for materials and subcontractor requisitions.
- Mentor and develop junior staff, providing guidance and support to build their skills and effectiveness.
- Maintain open and daily communication with the Project Manager and administrative staff regarding project status, issues, and needs.
- Create and update project schedules to support on-time delivery and proactively address potential delays.
- Promote and enforce safety practices and procedures across the job site, reinforcing a strong safety culture.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a Superintendent on federal construction projects.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing federal projects, including work with agencies such as USACE and NAVFAC.
- Active OSHA 30 certification.
- Proven ability to coordinate and supervise all construction activities on complex projects.
- Strong experience developing, maintaining, and updating construction schedules, including critical path sequencing and lookahead schedules.
- Hands-on experience leading field supervision of subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors on active job sites.
- Solid understanding of federal construction contract documents, specifications, drawings, and general conditions.
- Experience performing and documenting quality control inspections and ensuring compliance with contract and code requirements.
- Ability to coordinate and manage inspections with local, state, and federal jurisdictions.
- Strong communication skills for daily interaction with Project Managers, administrative staff, subcontractors, and project stakeholders.
- Ability to identify and resolve construction conflicts and issues in the field in a timely and effective manner.
- Capability to manage multiple job sites simultaneously when required.
- Willingness and ability to travel nationally for federal construction work.
- Ability to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet strict project timelines.
- Physical ability to walk, climb stairs, sit, stand, reach, use hands and fingers to operate tools and business machines, and lift or move up to 50 pounds.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- EM 385 certification is preferred but not required.
- Experience working on federal projects for agencies such as USACE or NAVFAC.
- Background in both federal and commercial construction environments.
- Experience with safety, health, and environmental quality standards on construction sites.
- Ability to mentor and develop junior staff and contribute to team growth.
- Strong organizational skills for maintaining project documentation, including materials tracking, safety data sheets, operation manuals, approvals, and permits.
- Experience reviewing and validating subcontractor and supplier extra charges, and coordinating with project management on approvals.
- Ability to participate in budgeting, bid processes, and contract awards to subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants.
- Attention to detail in maintaining clean, organized, and compliant job sites.
- Comfort working in a traveling, self-perform workforce environment built for rapid mobilization.
Work EnvironmentThis role primarily operates in an outdoor construction environment, with frequent exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and wind. Appropriate clothing and safety gear are provided to help mitigate environmental risks. The position requires regular walking, climbing stairs, sitting, standing, reaching with hands and arms, and using hands and fingers to operate tools and business machines. Close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, as well as the ability to adjust focus, are necessary to perform site supervision and inspections effectively. The Superintendent must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds as part of routine job site activities. Construction projects follow strict timelines, so work may extend beyond standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet project deadlines. Travel is a core component of this position, with national travel required to support federal construction projects at multiple sites. The work environment emphasizes strong safety practices, organized and clean job sites, and collaboration with a traveling workforce and diverse subcontractor teams. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Dumfries, VA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $35.00 - $60.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Dumfries, VA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Dumfries,VA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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