Substation Foreman

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies is seeking a Foreman to lead small field crews on utility substation construction projects in the United States.

This entry-level supervisory role oversees 6-10 craft workers and emphasizes safety, productivity, and quality across civil, structural, and electrical tasks. Ideal candidates are transitioning from hands-on trades into leadership, ready to manage day-to-day field performance, crew coordination, and basic site communication with General Foremen or

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in utility construction or related trade work.
• Proven competency in utility construction, preferably substation construction (civil, structural, or electrical yard).
• Basic leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, and field safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Direct the activities of a small crew in accordance with work plans and daily task assignments.
• Ensure tasks are understood, scheduled, and executed safely and efficiently.
• Coordinate tools, materials, and equipment needed for daily work.
• Respond to field issues and elevate as required to maintain momentum and site alignment.
• Conduct tailboard talks and field-level hazard assessments; ensure PPE usage and safety protocols.
• Lead by example to promote a positive safety culture within the crew.
• Ensure work aligns with specifications, checklists, and client requirements.
• Assist in inspections or client walkdowns and prepare work areas accordingly.
• Track crew time and material usage; submit accurate daily reports.
• Maintain open communication with field leaders and coordinate adjacent work.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Utility construction

Leadership basics

Safety compliance

Communication

Tools

Mobile field tools

Job description

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies delivers transmission, distribution, substation, and related power infrastructure projects across Canada and the United States.

Our work spans field construction, project delivery, operations, and corporate support in an environment where safety, execution, and reliability matter.

Position Summary

The Foreman is an entry-level supervisory role responsible for leading small field crews on utility substation construction projects. Typically overseeing 6-10 craft workers, Foremen play a key role in maintaining daily productivity, ensuring safety compliance, and supporting quality execution across substation civil, structural, and electrical installation scopes.

This role is ideal for experienced tradespeople who are transitioning into leadership and are ready to take accountability for day-to-day field performance, crew coordination, and basic site communication with General Foremen or Superintendents.

Work includes substation construction activities such as civil foundations, grounding systems, structural steel installation, conduit systems, and electrical equipment support work.

Core Responsibilities

Daily Crew Leadership & Field Execution

• Direct the activities of a small crew in accordance with work plans and daily task assignments
• Ensure job tasks are clearly understood, scheduled, and executed safely and efficiently
• Coordinate tools, materials, and equipment needed for daily work
• Respond to field issues and elevate as required to maintain momentum and site alignment

Safety Leadership & Compliance

• Conduct daily tailboard talks and field-level hazard assessments
• Ensure all safety protocols are followed, including PPE usage, permitting, and safe work practices
• Participate in incident reporting, safety observations, and corrective action implementation
• Lead by example in promoting a positive safety culture within the crew

Quality Assurance & Task Readiness

• Ensure that work is completed according to specifications, drawings, and client requirements
• Support installation checklists, material verification, and photo documentation as required
• Ensure work aligns with substation construction standards, grounding requirements, and equipment installation specifications
• Identify non-conforming work and communicate issues to supervision for timely resolution
• Assist in preparing work areas for inspections or client walkdowns

Time, Tools & Productivity Tracking

• Track crew time and material usage; submit accurate daily reports to General Foreman or Superintendent
• Monitor task durations and assist with identifying delays or inefficiencies
• Maintain basic equipment care and ensure materials are stored and used appropriately

Communication, Team Coordination & Leadership

• Serve as the main point of contact for assigned crew
• Maintain open communication with other field leaders to coordinate adjacent work
• Participate in coordination meetings and deliver instructions clearly to crew members
• Support new or junior crew members with task understanding and site integration

Qualifications & Skills

• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in utility construction or related trade work
• Proven technical competency in utility construction, preferably with substation construction (civil, structural, or electrical yard installation experience)
• Basic leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of construction drawings, specifications, and field safety protocols
• Capable of using mobile field tools (e.g., digital forms, timesheets, equipment logs)
• Valid driver's license and ability to work in remote or active job site environments
• Formal supervisory training or safety certifications are assets

The range shown is the expected base pay range for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on role requirements, experience, qualifications, work location, applicable project/site requirements, internal equity, and any applicable collective agreement or union requirements. This range does not include overtime, premiums, per diem / LOA, bonuses, benefits, or other forms of compensation unless specifically stated in the job posting.

Base Pay Range: $53 USD - $58 USD

Forbes Bros. Group of Companies and its affiliated entities are committed to providing a respectful and accessible recruitment process.

Employment is subject to the requirements of the applicable role, location, project, and employing entity. Depending on the position, this may include verification of work authorization, background screening, driver abstract, drug and alcohol screening, credential verification, client/site access requirements, and other pre-employment conditions permitted by applicable law.

Applicants who require accommodation during the recruitment process are encouraged to contact the recruitment team.