Quality Assurance in Construction

We interview a Manager of Quality Assurance in construction company. He tells us how he got the job and recommends methods to landing a job in quality assurance in construction.

What is your job title and what industry do you work in? How many years of experience do you have in this field? How would you describe yourself using only three adjectives?

Quality Assurance Manager, 15 years, Organized, driven, meticulous

How would you describe what you do? What does your work entail? Are there any common misunderstandings you want to correct about what you do?:

Responsible for representing the owners interest in medium to large consruction projects. Quality Assurance in construction. The majority of my work entails auditing current projects for compliance to codes and specifications.

On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your job satisfaction? What might need to change about your job to unleash your full enthusiasm?:

8

If this job moves your heart – how so? Ever feel like you found your calling or sweet spot in life? If not, what might do it for you?:

The satisfaction of providing completed (accurate) documentation to the owner at the end of the project.

How did you get started in this line of work? If you could go back and do it differently, what would you change?:

Transitioned from owning a portable welding company. Had enough of the headaches that followed along with trucks located in multiple work locations.

What did you learn the hard way in this job and what happened specifically that led up to this lesson?:

Upper management does not understand the value in having correct documentation. Cost overruns on projects due to re-work.

What is the single most important thing you have learned outside of school about the working world?:

Understand the contracts being signed. Read, read read...

What’s a rough salary range for the position you hold? Are you paid enough and/or happy living within your means?:

Salary range between 180 to 250 thousand a year.

How much vacation do you take? Is it enough?:

I take roughly 2 months a year.

What education and skills do you need to get hired and succeed in this field?:

Trade certification is an asset. Need to be organized and efficient. Need to be flexible in hours worked.

What would you tell a friend considering your line of work?:

Get as many certifications as you can afford. If you could write your own ticket, what would you like to be doing in five years?: The same type of work.