What Does a Field Supervisor Do?

Field supervisors are the boots on the ground in many industries. They oversee the work of employees who are out in the field doing actual labor or service work. Their job is to ensure that these workers are completing their assigned tasks correctly and safely, while also providing guidance and feedback where necessary.

Field supervisors commonly oversee a team of workers who perform similar duties. This allows them to provide consistent oversight across multiple individuals and teams, which helps ensure quality control and consistency in all aspects of their work.

Field Supervisor Job Duties

Field supervisors typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Performing inspections of facilities to ensure that regulations are being followed
• Maintaining records of field operations, including inspection reports, photographs, and test results
• Preparing budgets and managing budgets for projects or departments within an organization
• Inspecting work sites to determine if they are safe for workers
• Ordering materials or equipment needed to complete projects
• Coordinating with contractors to ensure that construction projects are carried out according to plan
• Managing the progress of projects by coordinating with contractors and other staff members involved in the project
• Supervising work crews in the field to ensure that they are performing their jobs correctly
• Ensuring that safety standards are met on all projects

Field Supervisor Salary & Outlook

The salary of a field supervisor can vary depending on their level of experience, the company size and geographic location. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $52,500 ($25.24/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)

The employment of field supervisors is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Employment growth will be driven by the need to supervise workers in fields such as healthcare, social assistance, and retail trade. As the population ages, there will be a greater demand for healthcare services, which will require more field supervisors to oversee healthcare workers.

Related: 25 Field Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

Field Supervisor Job Requirements

A field supervisor typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Field supervisors are typically required to have at least a high school diploma or GED. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business or agriculture.

Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal training program for field supervisors. These programs can be completed in as little as six weeks and teach the skills needed to supervise employees in the field, including communication, time management and leadership.

Training & Experience: Many field supervisors begin their careers as field technicians or laborers. They may receive on-the-job training in the specific processes and procedures of the industry they work in. They may also receive training in basic safety procedures and equipment use.

Certifications & Licenses: Some employers may require field supervisors to have certain certification credentials. For example, field supervisors in the oil and gas industry may be required to have certification in hydraulic fracturing.

Field Supervisor Skills

Field supervisors need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication skills: Field supervisors communicate with many people on a daily basis, including their team, their supervisors and their team’s supervisors. They also communicate with clients and customers, as well as other law enforcement agencies. Effective communication skills can help you convey messages clearly and concisely, which can help you and your team work more efficiently.

Leadership skills: Field supervisors are responsible for leading teams of employees, so it’s important for them to have strong leadership skills. As a field supervisor, you may be responsible for training new employees, so you may need to demonstrate effective leadership skills to help them learn the job. You may also be responsible for assigning tasks to employees, so you may need to demonstrate leadership skills to motivate them to complete their work.

Technical knowledge: Field supervisors need to have a basic understanding of the tools and technology used by their teams. This includes knowing how to use the tools and technology and being able to instruct others on how to use them. It’s also important to have a basic understanding of the technology used by the company so you can provide guidance to your team. For example, if your team is having trouble with a computer program, you need to be able to help them troubleshoot the problem.

Problem-solving skills: Field supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their team members complete their work on time and to the company’s standards. They may need to help their team members find solutions to any challenges they may face. For example, if a team member is having trouble completing a task, the field supervisor may need to step in and help them find a solution.

Decision-making skills: Field supervisors make many decisions throughout the day, including how to handle situations, how to best use their time and how to handle personnel issues. Having strong decision-making skills can help you make the best choices for your team and the company. You may also need to make quick decisions in the field, so having good decision-making skills can help you make the right choice quickly.

Field Supervisor Work Environment

Field supervisors typically work in office settings, although they may spend considerable time in the field visiting construction sites. They usually work regular business hours, although they may be required to work overtime to meet deadlines. Field supervisors may be exposed to hazardous conditions when visiting construction sites. They may also be required to travel to multiple job sites, which can be time-consuming and tiring.

Field Supervisor Trends

Here are three trends influencing how field supervisors work. Field supervisors will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

More Focus on the Customer Experience

The customer experience is becoming increasingly important in today’s economy, as businesses are realizing that it is essential to keep customers happy in order to stay competitive.

Field supervisors can play a key role in ensuring that the customer experience is positive by providing excellent customer service and by making sure that employees are meeting the company’s standards for quality. They can also help to create a culture of customer satisfaction within their team.

More Use of Technology

As technology continues to evolve, field supervisors will need to learn how to use it more effectively. This includes learning how to use new technologies such as smartphones and tablets to improve communication with employees and manage tasks more efficiently.

In addition, field supervisors will need to be familiar with new software tools that make it easier to collect and analyze data. This will allow them to better understand what is happening in the field and make better decisions about how to move forward.

Greater Emphasis on Diversity

Diversity has become an increasingly important topic in recent years, as businesses have realized the value of having a workforce that reflects the diversity of their customers.

As a field supervisor, you can capitalize on this trend by developing a strong understanding of diversity and its implications for your organization. You can then use this knowledge to promote diversity within your team and ensure that everyone feels comfortable working together.

How to Become a Field Supervisor

A career as a field supervisor can be rewarding in many ways. It offers the opportunity to work with people, lead teams, and make a difference in the lives of others. You’ll also have the chance to learn new things and develop your skills.

To be successful in this role, you need to be able to manage multiple tasks at once, stay organized, and meet deadlines. You should also be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Advancement Prospects

A field supervisor is a working supervisor who is responsible for a crew of employees who work in the field. A field supervisor may be responsible for a construction crew, a landscaping crew, or a team of salespeople. The field supervisor is responsible for the safety of the crew and the quality of the work.

The field supervisor is usually the first point of contact between the company and the customer. The field supervisor represents the company and its values. It is important that the field supervisor have a good understanding of the company’s products, services, and policies.

The field supervisor is typically responsible for scheduling, training, and evaluating crew members. The field supervisor may also be responsible for ordering supplies and equipment, and for maintaining records.

The field supervisor is usually promoted from within the ranks of the crew. The most successful field supervisors are those who have demonstrated leadership ability, strong communication skills, and a commitment to quality work.

Field Supervisor Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we work hard to provide the best possible experience for our customers. In order to do that, we need field supervisors who can lead a team of customer service representatives and ensure that they are providing the highest level of service. The ideal candidate will have experience managing a team, as well as experience in the customer service industry. He or she will be able to resolve customer complaints in a professional and efficient manner. Additionally, the candidate will be able to train and motivate customer service representatives to provide the best possible service.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Schedule and conduct regular field visits to assigned sites to ensure quality standards are being met
• Monitor work progress and provide feedback and coaching to field staff as needed
• Assist with the development and implementation of action plans to improve performance at underperforming sites
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints in a timely and professional manner
• Ensure that all safety procedures are being followed by field staff and that equipment is well-maintained
• Keep up to date on changes in company policies and procedures and communicate updates to field staff
• Maintain accurate records of employee attendance and performance
• Prepare reports on field activities and submit to management on a regular basis
• Identify training needs for field staff and arrange for appropriate courses or workshops
• Participate in the interviewing and hiring process for new field staff
• Plan and oversee special projects as assigned
• Perform other duties as required

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, or related field
• 5+ years experience in a leadership role, with supervisory responsibilities
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful strategies
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently and with a team

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, management, or related field
• 10+ years experience in a leadership role, with supervisory responsibilities
• Experience in the field of operations, project management, or similar
• Working knowledge of Six Sigma or other process improvement methodology
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles