Workshop Working Lead - Commercial & Residential

Job Description: DOT Construction is seeking an experienced, hands-on Working Workshop Lead to oversee daily operations within our construction workshop and fabrication area while actively working alongside the crew. This is a working leadership position. The Workshop Lead is expected to remain on the tools, lead by example, lay out work, fabricate components, review drawings, train craftsmen, solve fabrication issues, inspect finished products, and ensure that everything produced in the workshop meets DOT Construction quality standards. The Workshop Lead will coordinate daily shop production, manpower, materials, tools, equipment, fabrication sequencing, quality control, safety, housekeeping, inventory, and preparation of completed work for delivery to active construction projects. The ideal candidate understands how to build high-quality work and how to lead others in producing it consistently. Hands On Workshop Leadership Lead the Shop From the Floor Take ownership of daily workshop operations and ensure fabricated products are completed safely, accurately, efficiently, and to a professional commercial-construction standard. Be a Working Lead Work alongside the crew and participate directly in the production activities required to meet project schedules and quality expectations, including: · Construction layout and measurement · Cutting, fitting, fabrication, and assembly · Finish carpentry, cabinetry, millwork, and architectural woodwork · Metal fabrication and miscellaneous steel work where applicable · Drilling, fastening, hardware installation, sanding, and surface preparation · Specialty construction assemblies, mockups, prototypes, and prefabricated field assemblies · Repairs, modifications, punch-list corrections, and preparation for field installation Lead by Example Set the standard for craftsmanship, accuracy, productivity, professionalism, safety, organization, cleanliness, material care, tool care, and accountability. The Workshop Lead should not accept work that fails to meet the approved drawings or DOT Construction quality standards. Craftsmanship and Quality Control Build It Right Before It Leaves the Shop DOT Construction expects a high level of craftsmanship from every product fabricated within the workshop. Quality must be maintained throughout the fabrication process, not checked only after production is complete. The Working Workshop Lead will establish and maintain a shop culture in which craftsmen take pride in the finished product. Responsibilities include: · Review drawings, details, and approved submittals before fabrication begins. · Verify dimensions before materials are cut and confirm field dimensions when required. · Verify material type, thickness, grade, finish, grain, and orientation. · Establish and enforce fabrication tolerances. · Check squareness, level, plumb, alignment, fit, joint quality, and consistent reveals. · Verify fastener type, spacing, placement, and attachment methods. · Inspect exposed finished surfaces and prevent scratches, dents, chips, gouges, poor cuts, glue residue, and excessive weld marks. · Verify hardware placement and confirm completed assemblies operate correctly. · Check finished dimensions before shipment and require immediate correction of deficient work. · Protect completed products from damage and perform a final quality-control inspection before release to the field. Nothing should leave the DOT Construction workshop unless it is ready to be installed and presented to the owner, architect, or client with confidence. Construction Drawing and Shop Drawing Review Know What You Are Building Before Cutting Material The Working Workshop Lead must be comfortable reading and interpreting construction information, including: · Architectural and structural drawings · Interior elevations, wall sections, and construction details · Finish, door, and hardware schedules · Millwork, shop, and fabrication drawings · Manufacturer instructions and approved product data · Submittals, RFIs, addenda, field sketches, and project specifications · Verified field dimensions and installation requirements The Workshop Lead must compare drawings, measurements, materials, and fabrication requirements before materials are cut or assemblies are built. When information appears incomplete, conflicting, or incorrect, follow this process: · Stop the questionable fabrication before material is wasted. · Verify the drawing, detail, field condition, or dimension. · Document the discrepancy clearly. · Notify the Project Manager or Superintendent. · Obtain direction or clarification before proceeding. · Resume fabrication after the requirement is understood and documented. The Workshop Lead is expected to identify problems before they become wasted material, rework, schedule delays, or field installation problems. Production Planning and Workflow Know What Needs to Be Built Next The Working Workshop Lead must understand what the crew is building today and what will be required over the coming weeks. Responsibilities include: · Review upcoming fabrication requirements and approved production information. · Establish daily and weekly production goals. · Prioritize fabrication according to project schedules and field installation needs. · Coordinate regularly with Project Managers and Superintendents. · Determine manpower needs and assign work according to employee skill level. · Confirm required materials, approved drawings, and field dimensions are available. · Identify long-lead materials and production constraints early. · Sequence fabrication, finishing, staging, and delivery efficiently. · Develop recovery plans when production begins falling behind. · Prevent field crews from waiting on shop-fabricated materials whenever reasonably possible. A successful Workshop Lead should understand tomorrow's workload and prepare the crew, materials, tools, and information required to execute it. Crew Leadership and Training The Working Workshop Lead will supervise craftsmen, helpers, laborers, and other employees assigned to the workshop. Responsibilities include: · Assign daily work and explain fabrication requirements clearly. · Demonstrate proper construction and fabrication techniques. · Train less experienced employees and develop their ability to work independently. · Inspect work during fabrication and correct poor workmanship immediately. · Establish reasonable production expectations and monitor employee productivity. · Teach proper tool usage and reinforce safe work practices. · Maintain professional conduct and accountability throughout the shop. · Identify employees capable of taking on greater responsibility. The Workshop Lead must be capable of teaching the work as well as performing it. When an employee does not understand how an item should be built, the Lead should demonstrate the correct method. Material Management Treat Materials Like Company Money Material waste directly affects project profitability. The Working Workshop Lead will maintain control of shop materials and ensure employees use them responsibly. · Review material requirements and quantities before fabrication. · Coordinate purchasing needs with Project Management. · Inspect incoming materials for damage, conformity, and usable condition. · Organize and protect lumber, sheet goods, metals, hardware, finished materials, and specialty products. · Maintain usable remnants when practical and plan cuts to maximize material yield. · Separate damaged, nonconforming, or rejected materials. · Track specialty materials and identify shortages early. · Prevent employees from cutting expensive material before dimensions and requirements are confirmed. Tools and Equipment The Workshop Lead will help maintain accountability for company tools, shop equipment, and fabrication machinery. Equipment may include: · Table saws, miter saws, track saws, circular saws, band saws, and chop saws · Drill presses, routers, sanders, planers, jointers, grinders, and metal-cutting equipment · Welding equipment, compressors, pneumatic tools, and cordless tools · Clamps, layout equipment, levels, lasers, jigs, and specialty fabrication equipment · Forklifts, pallet jacks, ladders, portable lifts, and other material-handling equipment Responsibilities include maintaining tools in safe operating condition, keeping machine guards in place, removing damaged tools from service, maintaining organized storage, preventing avoidable loss, coordinating maintenance, tracking consumables, and ensuring employees use the correct tool for each task. Prefabrication and Field Support A major function of the DOT Construction workshop is to support active project teams. The Workshop Lead may oversee fabrication of: · Custom blocking, backing assemblies, wood framing assemblies, and temporary construction components · Architectural trim, millwork, cabinetry, shelving, casework, and finish components · Door and hardware modifications, equipment supports, specialty brackets, and metal frames · Miscellaneous steel items, equipment stands, protective barriers, templates, and jigs · Mockups, prototypes, and project-specific fabricated assemblies Shop fabrication should make field installation faster, cleaner, safer, and more predictable. Completed work must be clearly identified, protected, and prepared for efficient installation. Mockups and Prototypes Before repetitive fabrication begins, the Working Workshop Lead may be required to produce a first-piece assembly, prototype, or mockup to verify: · Dimensions, materials, appearance, fit, and finish · Hardware, attachment methods, fabrication sequence, and installation requirements Once approved, the accepted mockup establishes the quality standard for the remaining production run. Repeated fabrication must remain consistent with that standard. Finish Quality Special attention must be given to items that will remain visible after construction is complete. Finished work should be exhibited: · Straight cuts, clean edges, tight joints, and smooth transitions · Consistent reveals, uniform spacing, proper alignment, and accurate dimensions · Correct fastener placement with minimal exposed fasteners where they are not intended · Professional surface preparation and a clean, consistent finish · Properly installed hardware and correct fit, function, and operation The completed work must withstand close review and reflect professional commercial-construction craftsmanship. Safety Management Maintain a Professional and Safe Workshop The Working Workshop Lead is responsible for maintaining a safe workshop environment. Responsibilities include: · Enforce DOT Construction safety requirements and applicable OSHA standards. · Require proper personal protective equipment and safe machine operation. · Maintain guards, electrical connections, clear walkways, access, and egress. · Control sawdust, sparks, fabrication debris, cords, hoses, and trip hazards. · Maintain safe material stacking, lifting practices, and material-handling operations. · Keep fire extinguishers accessible and store flammable materials correctly. · Remove damaged tools and equipment from service. · Conduct or participate in toolbox talks and correct unsafe conditions immediately. Production goals never justify unsafe work. The Workshop Lead is expected to plan the work so employees can meet quality and schedule requirements safely. Workshop Organization and Housekeeping The condition of the shop reflects the quality and discipline of the company. The Working Workshop Lead will maintain: · Clean workstations and defined fabrication areas · Organized tools, material racks, hardware storage, cords, and hoses · Clear aisles, access routes, exits, and loading areas · Proper scrap disposal and regular removal of waste · Protected finished-product storage and clearly identified staging areas · Orderly storage for ladders, portable equipment, and material-handling devices Housekeeping is part of daily production. Work areas should be reset throughout the day and ready for the next operation. Shipping Staging and Delivery Preparation Before fabricated materials leave the shop, the Working Workshop Lead will ensure they are properly prepared for transportation and field installation. Responsibilities include: · Complete the final quality-control inspection and verify quantities. · Confirm the project destination and installation location. · Label components and match loose hardware to the correct assemblies. · Protect exposed finishes and package items to prevent transportation damage. · Coordinate loading sequence, delivery timing, and field receiving requirements. · Provide applicable installation drawings, templates, or information with specialty assemblies. Products should arrive at the jobsite ready to be installed, with deficiencies corrected before shipment. Communication and Documentation The Workshop Lead will maintain regular communication with DOT Construction Project Managers and field Superintendents regarding: · Daily production status and completed quantities · Upcoming fabrication and delivery requirements · Material shortages, deliveries, and long-lead concerns · Drawing conflicts and outstanding field dimensions · Equipment issues and manpower requirements · Quality concerns, rework, and corrective action · Schedule concerns, change-order fabrication, and delivery readiness · Shop photographs and other required production documentation When a fabrication issue may affect project cost, quality, or schedule, the Workshop Lead must communicate it promptly and provide enough detail for Project Management to act. Extra Work and Change Management The Workshop Lead must recognize when requested fabrication may fall outside the original project scope. When additional work is requested: · Identify and describe the requested work. · Notify the Project Manager before proceeding whenever possible. · Document labor, materials, and equipment used. · Take photographs and maintain fabrication records when appropriate. · Obtain proper direction and track the work to completion. Shop labor and material have value and must be documented accurately. What We Look for in

Salary : $30 - $45