What are the responsibilities and job description for the Solar Crew Lead position at American Solar & Roofing?
Job Location: Phoenix, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
The Crew Lead reports to the Project Manager. A Crew Lead is primarily charged with maintaining their assigned construction vehicle in a state of readiness, supervising the construction crew and reporting jobsite information. The Crew Lead must be proficient in all aspects of the construction crew job description. The work week is targeted at 40 hours; however it is not uncommon for the work week to exceed 60 hours or for individual work days to exceed 12 hours. The expectation is that the individual who takes on this position is flexible enough to comply with these potentially diverse hours of construction.
Responsibilities
Physical fitness (as outlined in Physical Requirements) is a condition of employment. Solid writing skills are required; Solid reading comprehension skills are required; Strong interpersonal skills are required; Strong organizational skills are required; Supervisory experience is preferred; A broad comprehensive and fundamental knowledge of construction is required; A high level of dexterity, balance, and coordination is required; the ability to withstand extreme temperatures in the work environment is required; clean driving record is required; Ability to lift a minimum of 70lbs is required; Strong NEC and Roofing code knowledge is required; Entry level NABCEP certification is required
Physical Requirements
Commercial Solar Electric Construction is a grueling and dangerous profession which we have come to label as a Safety Sensitive Job. By safety sensitive we mean that the individuals who are not qualified physically to perform the work are not only risking injury upon themselves but are, by extension, imposing risk of injury and death onto others that they may be working with. This safety sensitive position is not a suitable profession for those that are physically weak, overweight, adverse to high heat conditions, or are not physically fit. The job description reads ‘A high level of dexterity, balance, and coordination is required; The ability to withstand extreme temperatures in the work environment is required; Ability to lift a minimum of 70lbs is required. To reinforce the safety sensitive job concept, employees may be subject to a physical exam that must be passed as a condition of employment.
Strength: For good reason it is a requirement of the job that one be reasonably strong. There are simply certain portions of the job that require an individual to lift heavy items to get the job done. Some examples follow.
Scaffolding: Extensively used and must be able to be manhandled by a single individual.
Weight: A 24 ft Class 1A fiberglass ladder of the type we use every day are 52#
Frequency: Ladders can be loaded and unloaded from ground level to overhead up to four times daily
Solar Modules: Extensively used and must be able to be manhandled by a single individual. They are shaped like tabletops (approx. 40”x60”) with no handles so one must be able to lift the weight by grabbing hold across the short side. They are often lifted overhead and handed up to an individual who is on the edge of the roof who must lean down to pick it up by the end and lift it up to place it on the roof. Effectively a clean and jerk type motion is required; so from ground level to chest level in one motion and then from chest level to overhead in another motion. The individual on the roof must be able to grab the module from below ground level and lift it up to chest level in a single motion.
Weight: solar modules can weigh up to 50LB’s Frequency: up to 80 times a day
Stamina: A high level of stamina is an important job requirement for many good reasons. Simply put, individuals must be physically fit to perform the job safely throughout the course of the day as well as over the course of a week, month, and through the years. Stamina, in large part, can be ascertained by reviewing the weight and frequency items above. Additionally, there are the following:
Ladders: climbing up and down a ladder can be done up to 20 times per day
Standing: rarely does the Commercial solar construction professional have the chance to work comfortably while in a seated position. Standing, kneeling, reaching, and laying in awkward positions are the only norm. A movement from a squat to a stand is a repetitive motion that can be required at a frequency of 100 times per day.
Flexibility: Commercial Solar electric construction professionals must be extremely flexible for many reasons that all have their roots in safety. An individual who is not limber and flexible will be at high exposure to strains.
Reaching and stretching: Requirements for reaching and stretching are a constant of the job. No matter what position a solar construction professional may find themselves, they will need to maintain that position and simultaneously reach/stretch to perform the task.
Kneeling/squatting: a high degree of flexibility is required to be able to safely perform the installation of stanchions in a residential rooftop. Stanchion work can easily be an all-day affair that would require squatting, kneeling, and lying. It will also require one to make movements from a squat to a kneel, kneel to squat, kneel to lay, and lay to kneel.
Dexterity and Balance: Obviously a solar construction professional that is climbing ladders and performing leading edge work must have an enhanced sense of balance. Individuals that suffer from eardrum damage or are otherwise prone to fear of heights are not qualified to participate. Dropping of tools and materials is not tolerable and given the reaching/stretching requirements while performing work, those that do not intrinsically possess a high level of dexterity are not qualified to perform the job description.
Temperature Extremes: Working an eight to ten hour day when temperatures exceed 105 degrees and high humidity means that temperatures, while only warm in the early morning at 88 degrees, will be over 100 degrees for up to 6 hours of the work day. At these elevated temperatures, there are physiological limitations to one’s physical and mental ability to maintain productivity as required and outlined above. Therefore, the solar electric construction professional is required to possess the intrinsic physiological attributes that allow for sustained high levels of performance in high heat conditions in order to be allowed to work in this safety sensitive job position.
Opportunities for advancement
The AS&R Construction Management Group has specific guidelines in place for advancement within the organization. The advancement program is centered on job performance and various Third Party Training Programs. Performance reviews and successful completion of coursework assist the employee in realizing promotion and compensation increases. See HR Manager for details.
Work Location: In person
Job Type: Full Time
The Crew Lead reports to the Project Manager. A Crew Lead is primarily charged with maintaining their assigned construction vehicle in a state of readiness, supervising the construction crew and reporting jobsite information. The Crew Lead must be proficient in all aspects of the construction crew job description. The work week is targeted at 40 hours; however it is not uncommon for the work week to exceed 60 hours or for individual work days to exceed 12 hours. The expectation is that the individual who takes on this position is flexible enough to comply with these potentially diverse hours of construction.
Responsibilities
- Safety: Read, understand, and be intimately familiar with the American Solar & Roofing (AS&R) Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and any updates. Perform job duties in accordance with the IIPP. Enforce the IIPP at all times.
- Read, understand, and be intimately familiar with the American Solar & Roofing Employee Handbook and any updates.
- Perform all construction tasks per manufacturer’s installation guidelines or the Sanctioned AS&R Installation Procedures as read from the AS&R Construction Handbook.
- Review customer construction file and work with the Project Managers to plan the course of construction for each job.
- Direct the Construction Crew to stay effectively and efficiently on task – Lead, challenge, and motivate your team.
- Coordinate all job sites task and safety requirements with Roofing Supervisor upon arrival to job sites with multiple teams.
- Reporting: All required reports are to be completed neatly and accurately. Upon completion of a job return Project Field Folder with complete Job Sheet and Project Acceptance checklist to the Project Manager, Photos of job completed, Expense reports to be completed weekly.
- Upon completion of each day’s work, make sure job site is fully cleaned and that all work meets workmanship standards. Check in with the Project Manager and property owner (if available) prior to departure.
- Security: Remove all visible valuable materials, tools and trash from the truck at the end of each day and completely lock down your vehicle.
- Keep your vehicle stocked per the ‘Heavy Construction Vehicle Stock List’, cleaned and ready for work always.
- Evaluate performance of the Installation Crew and report to Project Manager and VP of Construction Operations any workmanship or teamwork issues.
Physical fitness (as outlined in Physical Requirements) is a condition of employment. Solid writing skills are required; Solid reading comprehension skills are required; Strong interpersonal skills are required; Strong organizational skills are required; Supervisory experience is preferred; A broad comprehensive and fundamental knowledge of construction is required; A high level of dexterity, balance, and coordination is required; the ability to withstand extreme temperatures in the work environment is required; clean driving record is required; Ability to lift a minimum of 70lbs is required; Strong NEC and Roofing code knowledge is required; Entry level NABCEP certification is required
Physical Requirements
Commercial Solar Electric Construction is a grueling and dangerous profession which we have come to label as a Safety Sensitive Job. By safety sensitive we mean that the individuals who are not qualified physically to perform the work are not only risking injury upon themselves but are, by extension, imposing risk of injury and death onto others that they may be working with. This safety sensitive position is not a suitable profession for those that are physically weak, overweight, adverse to high heat conditions, or are not physically fit. The job description reads ‘A high level of dexterity, balance, and coordination is required; The ability to withstand extreme temperatures in the work environment is required; Ability to lift a minimum of 70lbs is required. To reinforce the safety sensitive job concept, employees may be subject to a physical exam that must be passed as a condition of employment.
Strength: For good reason it is a requirement of the job that one be reasonably strong. There are simply certain portions of the job that require an individual to lift heavy items to get the job done. Some examples follow.
Scaffolding: Extensively used and must be able to be manhandled by a single individual.
Weight: A 24 ft Class 1A fiberglass ladder of the type we use every day are 52#
Frequency: Ladders can be loaded and unloaded from ground level to overhead up to four times daily
Solar Modules: Extensively used and must be able to be manhandled by a single individual. They are shaped like tabletops (approx. 40”x60”) with no handles so one must be able to lift the weight by grabbing hold across the short side. They are often lifted overhead and handed up to an individual who is on the edge of the roof who must lean down to pick it up by the end and lift it up to place it on the roof. Effectively a clean and jerk type motion is required; so from ground level to chest level in one motion and then from chest level to overhead in another motion. The individual on the roof must be able to grab the module from below ground level and lift it up to chest level in a single motion.
Weight: solar modules can weigh up to 50LB’s Frequency: up to 80 times a day
Stamina: A high level of stamina is an important job requirement for many good reasons. Simply put, individuals must be physically fit to perform the job safely throughout the course of the day as well as over the course of a week, month, and through the years. Stamina, in large part, can be ascertained by reviewing the weight and frequency items above. Additionally, there are the following:
Ladders: climbing up and down a ladder can be done up to 20 times per day
Standing: rarely does the Commercial solar construction professional have the chance to work comfortably while in a seated position. Standing, kneeling, reaching, and laying in awkward positions are the only norm. A movement from a squat to a stand is a repetitive motion that can be required at a frequency of 100 times per day.
Flexibility: Commercial Solar electric construction professionals must be extremely flexible for many reasons that all have their roots in safety. An individual who is not limber and flexible will be at high exposure to strains.
Reaching and stretching: Requirements for reaching and stretching are a constant of the job. No matter what position a solar construction professional may find themselves, they will need to maintain that position and simultaneously reach/stretch to perform the task.
Kneeling/squatting: a high degree of flexibility is required to be able to safely perform the installation of stanchions in a residential rooftop. Stanchion work can easily be an all-day affair that would require squatting, kneeling, and lying. It will also require one to make movements from a squat to a kneel, kneel to squat, kneel to lay, and lay to kneel.
Dexterity and Balance: Obviously a solar construction professional that is climbing ladders and performing leading edge work must have an enhanced sense of balance. Individuals that suffer from eardrum damage or are otherwise prone to fear of heights are not qualified to participate. Dropping of tools and materials is not tolerable and given the reaching/stretching requirements while performing work, those that do not intrinsically possess a high level of dexterity are not qualified to perform the job description.
Temperature Extremes: Working an eight to ten hour day when temperatures exceed 105 degrees and high humidity means that temperatures, while only warm in the early morning at 88 degrees, will be over 100 degrees for up to 6 hours of the work day. At these elevated temperatures, there are physiological limitations to one’s physical and mental ability to maintain productivity as required and outlined above. Therefore, the solar electric construction professional is required to possess the intrinsic physiological attributes that allow for sustained high levels of performance in high heat conditions in order to be allowed to work in this safety sensitive job position.
Opportunities for advancement
The AS&R Construction Management Group has specific guidelines in place for advancement within the organization. The advancement program is centered on job performance and various Third Party Training Programs. Performance reviews and successful completion of coursework assist the employee in realizing promotion and compensation increases. See HR Manager for details.
Work Location: In person