Building Envelope Field Specialist

Lerch Bates Inc.; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with match

ESOP ownership

Tuition reimbursement

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Lerch Bates is seeking a Building Envelope Field Specialist to support testing, site observations, and evaluations of roofing, waterproofing, exterior walls, fenestration, air barriers, and other enclosure components on both new and existing buildings.

This role emphasizes field work, independent operation, and collaboration with engineers, contractors, and owners. Lerch Bates offers ESOP ownership, competitive benefits, and opportunities across diverse project types.

Qualifications

• 5+ years on active construction sites orBuilding enclosure projects.
• Experience with building enclosure systems including roofing, waterproofing, glazing, weather barriers, and air barriers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field testing and building performance evaluations (electronic leak detection, air barrier testing, water testing, infrared thermography).
• Perform construction quality assurance observations on active projects.
• Conduct field investigations and condition assessments of existing enclosure systems.
• Prepare clear field reports documenting observations, tests, and recommendations.
• Support development of technical recommendations and project documentation.
• Collaborate with consultants, project teams, and clients to ensure quality outcomes.

Skills

Field testing

Quality assurance observations

Documentation

Field investigations

Building enclosure knowledge

Writing & communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Tools

Bluebeam

Microsoft Office

Job description

Department: Building Science

Lerch Bates is seeking a Building Envelope Field Specialist to support building enclosure testing, quality assurance observations, field investigations, and building performance evaluations for both new construction and existing building projects.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in the field, solving real-world building challenges, and evaluating how building enclosure systems perform over time. You will conduct building envelope testing, perform site observations, document findings, and support assessments involving roofing systems, waterproofing assemblies, exterior wall systems, fenestration, air barriers, and other building enclosure components.

The Building Envelope Field Specialist works independently while collaborating closely with consultants, project teams, contractors, and building owners to support building enclosure design, construction, commissioning, investigation, repair, and rehabilitation projects.

Become an Employee-Owner

One of the biggest advantages of working at Lerch Bates is that we are 100% employee-owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Unlike many companies that offer only a salary and retirement plan, eligible employees receive company-funded ESOP shares at no cost to them as part of their long-term retirement benefits.

As Lerch Bates grows, employee-owners share in the company's success. For many employees, the ESOP becomes one of the most valuable financial benefits of their career by helping build meaningful long-term wealth in addition to their salary and traditional 401(k).

When you join Lerch Bates, you are not just building better buildings. You also have the opportunity to build your financial future alongside the company's success.

About Lerch Bates

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP. That means when the company succeeds, our employee-owners share in that success. It's more than a retirement benefit—it's an ownership mindset backed by the opportunity to build long-term financial value while helping shape the future of the company.

What You’ll Do

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Field Testing, Assessments & Investigations

• Conduct field testing and building performance evaluations, including:
  • Electronic leak detection testing
  • Air barrier testing
  • Water penetration and performance testing
  • Infrared thermography scanning
• Perform construction quality assurance (CQA) observations on active construction projects.
• Conduct field investigations and condition assessments of existing building enclosure systems.
• Evaluate field conditions and building systems to identify performance concerns, construction deficiencies, deterioration, and moisture-related issues.
• Support roof assessments, facade evaluations, waterproofing investigations, and building enclosure performance studies.
• Assist with building enclosure commissioning, rehabilitation, repair, and modernization projects.
• Apply established procedures and sound judgment while adapting to changing project and site conditions.

Technical Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare clear, accurate, and timely field reports documenting observations, testing results, existing conditions, and recommendations.
• Document construction quality, installation practices, and building enclosure performance findings.
• Maintain documentation in accordance with company standards and reporting requirements.
• Follow established templates and quality processes to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Support consultants and project teams in the development of technical recommendations and project documentation.

Project Coordination & Client Support

• Review shop drawings, submittals, and project documentation on a limited basis.
• Identify work that may fall outside project scope and communicate findings appropriately.
• Communicate professionally with clients, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and project teams.
• Support project coordination across new construction, repair, rehabilitation, and existing building assessment projects.
• Help maintain strong client relationships through responsive communication and quality service.

Team Collaboration

• Support training and development of field technicians and team members as applicable.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment while working independently in the field.
• Participate in knowledge sharing and continuous improvement efforts.
• Work closely with consultants, engineers, architects, and project managers to support successful project outcomes.

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of experience working on active construction sites, building enclosure projects, building science projects, existing building assessments, roofing systems, waterproofing systems, facade systems, or related industries.
• Strong understanding of residential, commercial, and institutional building construction practices and enclosure systems.
• Experience identifying field conditions and relating observations to building enclosure performance, durability, and moisture-management issues.
• Experience with construction observations, field investigations, condition assessments, quality assurance activities, building enclosure commissioning, or building performance testing preferred.
• Knowledge of building enclosure systems including roofing, waterproofing, glazing systems, weather barriers, air barriers, vapor barriers, and exterior wall assemblies preferred.
• Familiarity with building repair, rehabilitation, restoration, and renovation projects is a plus.
• Strong technical writing, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, contractors, subcontractors, building owners, and internal teams.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in the field.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive base salary, based on experience, qualifications, and location
• Annual performance-based bonus opportunity, with target incentive levels varying by position and based on individual and company performance.
• 100% Employee-Owned ESOP (company-funded retirement benefit that allows eligible employees to share in the company's long-term success)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with 6% employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Core Values

Ownership

• Community
• Integrity
• Respect
• Optimism

Working Environment

This position is primarily performed on active construction sites and existing buildings, with occasional office work for reporting and project coordination. Work regularly occurs outdoors and may expose employees to varying weather conditions, temperature extremes, dust, noise, and uneven terrain.

Project assignments frequently require travel throughout the assigned region.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Physical Demands

This position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing, kneeling, bending, reaching, crawling, and lifting throughout the workday. Employees must safely navigate active construction sites, climb ladders and scaffolding, access rooftops, and work at elevated heights.

The role requires the ability to carry testing equipment and materials weighing up to 50 pounds and wear required PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, fall protection, and safety footwear.

Frequent travel between project sites is required.

Mental Demands

This position requires strong observational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to accurately document field conditions. Employees must follow testing procedures, identify deficiencies, interpret construction documents, communicate effectively with project teams, and prepare clear technical reports.

The ability to adapt to changing site conditions while managing multiple assignments and deadlines is essential.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.