What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Welded Tank Assistant Superintendent position at Tank Connection and Careers?
Position Summary: The Field Welded Tank Assistant Superintendent supports the Field Welded Tank Superintendent in leading and supervising field crews for the safe, efficient, and high-quality erection, welding, repair, and maintenance of above-ground welded storage tanks and related vessels. This role focuses on daily on-site execution of welding and erection operations, direct oversight of crew performance, enforcement of safety and quality standards, and coordination to meet project specifications, schedules, and budgets. The Assistant Superintendent serves as the primary hands-on field leader under the Superintendent, coordinating with inspectors, subcontractors, and site personnel while preparing to assume full leadership responsibilities as required in remote or industrial environments.
Field Welded Tank Assistant Superintendent Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist the Superintendent in supervising and directing crews of welders, fitters, riggers, apprentices, and support personnel during field tank erection, including bottom, shell, roof, nozzle, and appurtenance welding/installation.
- Plan and execute daily welding and erection activities under Superintendent's guidance to meet project milestones, quality requirements, and budget constraints.
- Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, specifications, weld procedures (WPS/PQR), and tank design documents to ensure accurate layout, fit-up, and welding execution by the crew.
- Oversee and perform welding processes (e.g., SMAW, FCAW primary; GMAW, SAW as needed) for carbon steel and alloy tanks, ensuring welds meet visual, non-destructive testing (NDT), and code acceptance criteria per API 650, API 653, ASME, and project specs.
- Support pre-job planning, including material take-offs, sequencing of erection stages, rigging/lifting plans, scaffold setup, and equipment needs; execute daily setup and adjustments.
- Enforce strict safety protocols, including confined space entry, fall protection, hot work permits, PPE usage, and hazard recognition; lead daily safety meetings, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and tailgate talks.
- Manage hands-on field quality control, including fit-up inspections, in-process welding monitoring, dimensional checks (plumbness, roundness, elevation), welder qualifications, and coordination with third-party inspectors and NDT technicians.
- Track daily progress, labor hours, material usage, and equipment; prepare and submit daily reports/logs to the Superintendent and project management; identify and help address deviations to maintain schedule and budget.
- Troubleshoot technical issues related to welding, distortion control, alignment, or material problems on-site; implement corrective actions and rework under Superintendent's direction.
- Mentor and train welders and crew members, including assisting with welder qualification testing, skill development, and on-the-job coaching.
- Coordinate with subcontractors, vendors, and site personnel for deliveries, inspections, hydro-testing, and commissioning activities; ensure smooth workflow.
- Maintain accurate documentation, including weld maps, inspection reports, as-built drawings/markups, and daily logs.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, cost control, and zero-incident safety performance.
- Adhere to all company, site-specific, OSHA, and API safety policies, including hot work permits, fall protection, and confined space entry.
- Travel extensively nationwide to project sites; work extended hours, overtime, and rotational/outage schedules as required; step in to lead operations in the Superintendent’s absence.
- Hourly position with full-time benefits.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Field Welded Tank Assistant Superintendent Skills and Specifications:
- Solid problem-solving skills.
- Ability to contribute and work in a team environment.
- Ability to demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness to ensure first quality of work.
Field Welded Tank Assistant Superintendent Education and Qualifications:
- Minimum 5–8 years of experience in field tank erection/welding/repair, with at least 2–3 years in a lead/foreman role on welded API-style storage tanks.
- Proven expertise in multiple welding processes relevant to tank construction, with proficiency in SMAW and FCAW (primary for field work); additional experience with GMAW or SAW preferred.
- Current and valid welder qualifications/certifications per ASME Section IX (e.g., in relevant positions like 3G/4G/6G and processes); ability to pass project-specific tests.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, welding symbols, P&IDs, and complex tank erection sequences.
- Experience in industrial/outdoor construction environments, including working at heights and in confined spaces.
- Strong commitment to workplace safety and zero-incident performance.
- Valid driver’s license; ability to travel by air, vehicle, or other means and pass background/drug screenings.
- Willingness and availability for 80–100% nationwide travel.
- Strong knowledge of API 650/653 standards, ASME Section IX, and other relevant codes for aboveground storage tanks.
- Experience supervising field crews of 10–30 personnel on tank projects (e.g., refinery, terminal, or industrial sites).
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills; ability to work under pressure in outdoor/all-weather conditions.
- Current certifications such as AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), API 653/650 Inspector (or working toward), or equivalent preferred.
- Experience with tank repair/alterations, roof replacements, bottom replacements, or floating roof installations preferred.
- Direct experience with API 650 and/or API 620 field-erected tank construction, including full-penetration welds on shell/bottom/roof joints preferred.
- Previous traveling field construction or tank-specific welding experience preferred.
- Current AWS Certified Welder or equivalent certifications preferred.
- OSHA-30 certification or equivalent safety training preferred.
- Experience with automated/semi-automated tank welding equipment (e.g., girth welders) preferred.
- TWIC card (for refinery/terminal access) or ability to obtain.
- NCCER certification or rigging/aerial lift operation experience preferred.
- Have or be able to obtain a United States Passport.
- Proficiency in basic project tracking tools (e.g., Excel) for daily reporting preferred.
Field Welded Tank Assistant Superintendent Physical and Work Environment Requirements:
- Ability to lift 50–75 pounds repeatedly.
- Capable of standing, climbing, kneeling, bending, and working in awkward positions for extended periods.
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions, at significant heights (e.g., tank shells up to 300 ft diameter) while tied off and wearing a harness, and in confined spaces.
- Good dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and stamina for demanding fieldwork.
- Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
- Must provide and wear steel-toed boots.
- Must comply with all site and company safety rules and standards.
Field Welded Tank Assistant Superintendent Travel Requirements:
- 80–100% travel throughout the United States.
- Projects typically last several weeks to several months per location.
- Per diem provided per company policy.
Limitations and Disclaimer: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.
REV-03-18-2026